Our Support Services & Resources

The Compassionate Friends Queensland was formed by bereaved parents who recognised that their feelings of confusion and isolation were common to all parents who have lost a child, and felt a need to talk to someone who had been through a similar experience to their own.

The Compassionate Friends aims to provide immediate and ongoing support to parents and families who have experienced the death of a child. Our members, all of whom are bereaved parents, grandparents or siblings, offer the time to listen and share their grief, experiences and feelings in a safe place, and offer HOPE for the future. We also have the support of many professional people involved in this area of loss and grief. We will understand.

There is no time limit to someone's grief, just as is there are no right or wrong ways to deal with your loss. We offer a range of support services since everyone deals with grief in their own way. What you want and need can change.

Avenues in which The Compassionate Friends provides assistance include:

Drop in Centre

Our Drop in Centre situated at 505 Bowen Terrace, New Farm Brisbane is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday between the hours 9.30am and 3.30pm. Members are encouraged to drop in for support and a coffee, or to access our extensive range of loss and grief related literature, newsletters and books.

Support Group Meetings

Our Support Group Meetings offer the opportunity for parents/families to share, connect and relate with others who have experienced the loss of a child. Meetings take the form of informal discussions with the occasional guest speaker. The atmosphere is warm and accepting, no one is pressured into participating, rather they join in when they are ready to share.

Many come and listen for the first few meetings and find comfort in knowing others are experiencing similar problems and feelings from the loss of their child or sibling, and learn how others are surviving and coping. Meetings are open to all parents, adult siblings and grandparents.

Night time meetings are held at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Drop in Centre 505 Bowen Terrace, New Farm Brisbane.

Country Support Groups

Country Support Groups have been established in many regional areas throughout Queensland and offer regular support group meetings for bereaved parents and families in their own area.

Coffee Mornings

Coffee Mornings are held on the first Monday of every month at the Drop in Centre for bereaved families to drop in for a chat and coffee in a more informal setting. Coffee mornings are also held in some country areas.

Telephone Support

Telephone contact can be made with The Compassionate Friends at any time. We understand there are times when you want a friendly chat with another bereaved parent who will listen and share. Our grief support telephone lines are always answered by fellow bereaved parents who have received training in grief and loss and listening skills. They offer a caring ear and are passionate about supporting bereaved families.

We have a dedicated support line staffed by bereaved parents, as well as a network of Telephone Friends around Queensland. The grief from the death of a child can be very isolating for parents, as can geography. A Telephone Friend in your area, who is a bereaved parent, will answer your call at their home or on their mobile. If we are unable to take your call, we encourage you to leave a message so we can return your call.

Please feel free and welcome to call us on our dedicated support line (07) 3254 2585 or one of our Telephone Friends.

Email Support

Some parents may find that they are unable to talk about their experience, but still wish for some communication. Email support can be a safe avenue for seeking support.

Our email support friend is email-support[at]compassionatefriendsqld[dot]org[dot]au.

Grief Information

The Compassionate Friends has a variety of brochures and pamphlets available about many aspects of losing a child and bereavement. All new contacts to TCF are sent a resource package of information related to their circumstances, whether they are parents, grandparents, siblings, or professionals. We hope that parents and families find the package a comforting and useful resource that they can draw on whenever they need.

All brochures are available free on request by contacting the Drop In Centre by phone or email.

Newsletters

Newsletters with informative articles, stories and verses are published bi-monthly and sent to all financial members and complimentary copies to new contacts for the first 6 months.

Library

Our Library facilities provide a growing collection of relevant books, magazines and audio tapes. These are available to all members and families. Access to the library is offered at the night support meetings and the Drop in Centre. A postal service to both country and metropolitan areas is also available.

Annual Candlelight Remembrance Service

Our Candlelight Remembrance Service, a world-wide event held every year in December, is an occasion for bereaved parents and families across the globe to gather and celebrate the life of their child.

Annual Grief and Loss Seminar

Our Annual Seminar, held every June, is a full day program with a guest speaker, information sessions and workshops designed to assist bereaved parents and families with grief and loss.

Membership

Membership of The Compassionate Friends is open to parents and families who have experienced the death of a child. See our Membership page for further details.