retreat
MLWC Support Weekend Retreat
A safe space for bereaved parents to pause, connect and begin to heal
Grief After The Death of A Child Can Feel Deeply Isolating
Even when you are surrounded by people who care, it can be difficult to explain what you are carrying or to find others who truly understand.
Our Bereaved Parents’ Support Weekend Retreat offers a safe and compassionate space to step away from the demands of everyday life, spend time with other bereaved parents and receive support for the journey ahead.
You do not need to have the right words.
You do not need to pretend to be strong.
You can simply come as you are.
You Do Not Have to Navigate Grief Alone
Healing is not about forgetting your child or leaving your grief behind.
It is about learning how to carry your loss while continuing to live, one day and one step at a time.
We believe healing is a journey best taken with support.
During the retreat, you will have space to reflect, rest and connect with parents who understand something of the road you are walking. You will also receive practical tools and gentle guidance to help you make sense of grief and support your emotional wellbeing.
Our aim is not to rush your healing or tell you how you should feel.
It is to walk alongside you with empathy, care and respect.
What the Weekend Offers
The retreat is designed to provide a balance of support, learning, reflection and rest.
You can expect:
- A safe and confidential environment
- Time with other bereaved parents
- Facilitated conversations and supportive group sessions
- Educational tools to help you understand grief
- Practical guidance for navigating difficult emotions and everyday life
- Opportunities for personal reflection
- Restful and restorative activities
- Space to remember and honour your child
- Encouragement, connection and renewed hope
Participation is always handled gently. You will never be pressured to share more than you feel comfortable sharing.
A Community That Understands
There can be something powerful about being in a room with people who do not need a long explanation.
Every parent’s story is different, but the shared experience of child loss can create a sense of understanding and belonging that is often difficult to find elsewhere.
The weekend offers an opportunity to form meaningful connections, feel less alone and receive support from people who understand that grief does not follow a simple timetable.
Our Next Retreat
Our next Support Weekend Retreat is planned for 2027.
Further details, including the date, location and application process, will be shared with those on our waiting list first.
Places will be limited to help us maintain a small, supportive and emotionally safe environment.
Joining the waiting list does not commit you to attending. It simply means you will be among the first to receive information when registration opens.
We look forward to being there for you
There is no perfect time to seek support.
You may feel ready to connect with others, or you may simply want to know that support will be available when you need it.
Wherever you are in your grief, you are welcome.
faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend?
The MLWC Support Weekend Retreat is for bereaved mothers and fathers who have experienced the death of a child.
This may include the death of a baby, child, teenager or adult child. We recognise that every loss is significant, regardless of how long ago it happened.
You are welcome to attend on your own or with your spouse or partner, where you are both the parents of the child who died.
We recognise that each parent experiences grief differently, even within the same family. The retreat provides space for you to receive support as an individual, while couples attending together will also have opportunities to reflect on how grief may be affecting their relationship.
Where places are limited, we may ask you to complete a short and sensitive registration form so that we can understand how best to support you.
Do I need to attend with my partner?
No.
You are welcome to attend on your own or, where spaces allow, with your spouse or partner. Each person will be supported as an individual, and no one will be expected to share more than they feel comfortable sharing.
What should I expect during the weekend?
The weekend will include guided group sessions, practical grief education, quiet reflection, opportunities to connect with other parents and time to rest.
A fuller programme will be shared before the retreat so that you know what to expect.
Will I have to talk about my child or share my story?
No.
You will be invited to take part, but you will not be pressured to speak. You can share as much or as little as feels right for you.
Listening and simply being present are also valid ways to participate.
Is the retreat counselling or therapy?
The retreat offers emotional support, grief education and practical tools, but it is not a replacement for clinical counselling, medical care or crisis support.
Where appropriate, we may encourage parents to seek additional professional support alongside the retreat.
Is the retreat faith-based?
My Little Warrior Child CIC is faith-aware and rooted in compassion, hope and respect.
Some gentle moments of reflection may acknowledge faith, but parents of all faiths and none are welcome. No one will be pressured to participate in anything that does not feel comfortable for them.
Where will the retreat take place?
The location for the 2027 retreat has not yet been announced.
We aim to choose a peaceful and accessible setting where parents can feel comfortable, supported and able to step away from daily pressures.
How much will it cost?
Details about the cost, what is included and any sponsored places will be shared when registration opens.
We are committed to making our support as accessible as possible and will provide information about any available financial support.
When is the next retreat?
Our next Support Weekend Retreat is planned for 2027.
Join the waiting list to receive priority updates.
Joining the waiting list does not commit you to attending. It simply means you will be among the first to receive information when registration opens.
My Little Warrior Child CIC supports parents and families after the death of a child through safe spaces, retreats, education, and compassionate resources.