This is our beautiful daughter Rachel who we lost to suicide in September 2020.

We are consumed with grief and paralysed with shock. Trying to be strong and put a brave face on every day for family and friends is impossible to sustain. Therefore, we've had some time away from home to have breathing space to gather our thoughts and to let the tears flow. Our time away allows us to heal a little.

Having decided to channel our grief into helping others suffering the same as we are, it has been during sleepless nights and in the early hours of the morning that we came up with the idea of providing somewhere for others to retreat to away from home. The environment being shared with people in the same position enables either solitude without explanation or shared experience conversations with someone who really does understand.

The Retreat is based on a campsite theme with individual lodges. The setting will be in peaceful countryside with a focus on tranquillity and enjoying nature. We'll have a restaurant and shop, activities, library/reading room and therapy treatment rooms. Outdoors will have an allotment and nature trail with local walks and cycle routes nearby. We'll offer meeting rooms for counselling and provide links to ongoing support.

Our name Reach Out Retreat comes from; 'Reach' our daughter’s name Rachel with the “l” missing and the letters rearranged. 'Reach Out' to others suffering the same situation for support and understanding. 'Retreat' for some quiet time to look after your own health and wellbeing. The “e” in italics next to the “a” is to join the tops of these two letters. The reason for this is when we came out of the hospital after Rachel died we stood with our heads together and made a promise that we would be strong for our family and also to do something that would mean her passing wasn’t in vain. It also makes the word “each” stand out as every individual is important and “eat” as we are passionate about healthy eating for wellbeing of mind and body.

The logo of the Robin is because Robins are believed to be a symbol of loved ones being nearby. The artwork is done by Rachel’s aunt Diane who is a superbly talented artist.

Reach Out Retreat is a social enterprise incorporated as a Community Interest Company (Company Number 13342086). Community Interest Companies, like charities, are asset locked organisations meaning that any donation you gratefully gift us will be used solely on the development of the retreat.

Thank you,

Peter & Sue