Support groups

About our support groups

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) offer support, friendship and hope through peer support.

This can include:

  • organised seminars

  • group sessions

  • individual contact between members

At Suite 603,109 Pitt Street in Sydney’s CBD you can meet up one-on-one.

If you live outside the Sydney CBD, find a local chapter.

Why peer support?

Research has shown that peer support groups are of great value to people who have experienced loss. They offer a safe place for the bereaved to talk through their grief with other individuals who have had similar experiences.

Peer support groups can:

  • build networks to help people find their way

  • provide understanding from other members who have taken a similar journey

  • complement formal support such as counselling

  • provide hope

  • help combat feelings of isolation

We invite support agencies and professionals to refer clients who have suffered the death of a child, sibling or grandchild to our organisation.

There are a number of monthly support group meetings held at The Pitt Street Centre. Bereaved family members are warmly invited to attend these meetings.

We encourage newly bereaved parents and siblings to ring the Centre and schedule a one-on-one meeting before attending a group. 

Please note that chapter leaders and volunteers at TCF NSW offer friendship, comfort and understanding. They are not trained counsellors. They are people like you with a shared, lived experience of losing a child, grandchild or sibling. 

In consideration for other bereaved parents, we ask you not to bring your babies and young children to the Centre or to support group meetings. We thank you for understanding.

Monthly support group at
The Pitt Street Centre

Details of support meetings at The Pitt Street Centre

City metro

A monthly meeting for any parent who has lost a child, or any bereaved sibling or grandparent. 

When: The third Thursday of each month.
Contact: The Pitt Street Centre on 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621 / admin@tcfnsw.org.au

Siblings

For people of any age who have lost a sibling.

When: The last Thursday of each month.
Contact: Maree on 0403 796 118 / siblings@tcfnsw.org.au

Survivors of suicide

For any parent, sibling or grandparent whose child has died by suicide.

Contact: The Pitt Street Centre on 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621 / suicidegroup@tfcnsw.org.au

Younger children

For parents who have lost younger children.

When: On a needs basis, held by arrangement.
Contact: The Pitt Street Centre on 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621

Saturday support

A monthly meeting for any parent who has lost a child, or any bereaved sibling or grandparent. 

When: The fourth Saturday of each month
Contact: The Pitt Street Centre on 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621

Coffee and chat

Social meetings. If you are in the city, please come in and have a cuppa with us. If you work in the city, please drop by and have lunch with us. 

When: The second Thursday of each month
Contact: The Pitt Street Centre on 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621 / thursdaygroup@tcfnsw.org.au

Drop by The Pitt Street Centre

The Pitt Street Centre is dedicated to supporting bereaved parents and families. All are welcome to come into the Centre between 11am and 2.30pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Bereaved parent volunteers are usually available during these hours, but if you are planning to visit the Centre, please call first on (02) 9290 2355 or Freecall 1800 671 621.

The Pitt Street Centre is located at:
Suite 603, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney

Facebook

Our Facebook page gives us the opportunity to connect and share information online.

Posts include notices of upcoming events or meetings, photos from events and links to articles on grief, that we feel would help other grieving parents.  Please use the 'like' or 'share' features or follow us to spread the message of TCF NSW.

Instagram

Our Instagram page gives us the opportunity to connect and share information online.

Please use the 'like' or 'share' features or follow us to spread the message of TCF NSW.