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If you would like to join the Apprenticing to Grief programme in Oxfordshire from 28 Sept to 4th October, you’re welcome to apply and we currently have no waiting list – if you can keep the dates free there’s a good chance you will get a place.
Find even more Grief Tending events, in the latest newsletter here
If you’re new to grief tending, here’s more information about what a Grief tending workshop is and how they work face to face and on line. You could also have a look at these videos which answer some of the questions people have about tending grief with others. Deep gratitude to Sarah Pletts for their creation!
Workshops and events coming up
- Half day Grief Tending online workshops – these happen roughly once a month, see dates below and book here.
- Come to a Grief Tending workshop at a festival this summer, see details here
- Apprenticing to Grief – we run online and residential programmes for people wanting to grow their confidence in holding others in grief. The Oxford programme from 30th Sept – 4th October 2026 is full but with no waiting list. Use this form if you’d like to apply
- Applications for the 2027 Apprenticing to Grief programmes are now open. See dates below, including online and residential, and full details here. Please use the new, shorter application form for these programmes.
- Tending our Grief for the World, half day workshops for those impacted by world or local events, hosted through Climate Psychology and Change. Dates below, costs and booking through their website.
- Sophy is co-facilitating two residential Grief Tending weekends this autumn:
- 6 – 8th November in Bamford, Peak district, 30 minutes from Sheffield, with Hannah Lewis and Alice McHugh, details and booking here
- 14th-15th November is at Emerson College, Forest Row, with Rohan Narse and team, details and booking here. Also a talk on Thursday 12th evening.
- The winter residential workshop on Dartmoor this year is held by Dita Vizoso and Jeremy Thres. Full details and booking are here.
- To see events organised by others who have completed the Apprenticing to Grief programme with us see past newsletter updates here
“The work continues to surprise me, especially how much it opens me to joy, aliveness and connection. I really believe it holds the seeds of healing most needed at this time.” Apprenticing to Grief online participant
On line Grief Tending – Short workshops
Book here for all half day on line workshops. Here are some responses to frequently asked questions about tending grief on line
“Go! Just be. Listen, learn, love. You can’t do it wrong..” 2025 online participant
- Held on Zoom, these are 4 hours long, and give a rich taste of shared grief tending. Many have been surprised at the depth of expression and witnessing that can be reached in these sessions – perhaps a testament to how natural shared grief tending is for us.
- Each session includes calling in support, building safety and trust; stirring and connecting to grief; a ceremony or practice to express, witness and share grief; time for soothing and integration, and preparing to return.
- Facilitated by Sophy, unless shown otherwise, with a skilled team
- Cost: £42 – £77.50
- Low cost spaces are always available – just get in touch, or let us know on your booking form what is affordable for you.
DATES FOR 2026
- There is no workshop in July or August (the July date is cancelled)
- September: Wednesday 9th 3 – 7pm Grief Circle
- October: Weds 14th 9.30am – 1.30pm – Writing Grief
- November: Tuesday 24th 3 – 7pm Grief Circle
- December: Friday 18th 3 – 7pm Grief Circle
- All times are for the UK
- The booking form is here.
“It was so beautifully and safely held, I am very glad to have found it and would love it to reach more of us, the image I have is like finding a deep well to drink from. We are beings who suffer and to meet each other in the light of this truth is a huge relief and release, there is a grace that arrives through tending to this part of our condition” 2025 Online participant
TENDING OUR GRIEF FOR THE WORLD – online half day workshops
In collaboration with the Centre for Climate Psychology and Change, facilitated by Sophy plus team. These workshops offer a rare space to fully feel and give expression to the many emotions that arise in response to events in the world.
Being with others who are also feeling impacted by war, violence, ecological crises, abuse of power, fear for the future and more, can give relief and a deep sense of connection where we often feel isolated and burdened.
- September: Friday 17th 3 – 7pm
- December: Tuesday 15th 3 – 7pm
- All times given are for the UK
Follow this link for full details and to book.
winter Grief Tending residential on Dartmoor
Facilitated by Jeremy Thres and Dita Vizoso plus support, these residential workshops give time for a deeper dive into grief. And the wild beauty of Dartmoor can offer an extra layer of holding and support.
Note: these events are organised by Dita, so please use this link for full details.
- When: Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th December 2026
Where: High Heathercombe, near Manaton.
Grief tending at festivals this summer
Here are some opportunities to join us in a festival setting:
August 12 -17th at Medicine Festival: join Sophy and the Embracing Grief team in a large scale workshop a the Haven, and Sacred Glade Grief ceremony. We’re also joining the Advaya tent for an experiential-panel-exploration of Grief with others.
September 18th – 21st at The Sondering: we’ll be hosting something grief-related at this new gathering for mortals interested in exploring mortality in a stunning landscape at the Barn in the Fells in the Lake District.
Tending the Heart: A Communal Grief Ritual (London)
Saturday November 28th, Hackney, 3 – 7pm
“Whether you are new to grief tending or not, this is such a caring and supportive environment to explore and process complex emotions that arise with grief, I totally recommend it..” April 2026 participant
An opportunity to experience the power of a larger scale, in person Grief Tending event, hosted by the Embracing Grief team.
Apprenticing to Grief online and in person
If you’re wanting to deepen your relationship with grief, or gain more confidence and skills to hold space for the grief of others, join us for this profound training, led by an experienced Grief tenders.
“A space where it’s possible to both learn about holding grief ritual and also deepen into the feelings of grief. To learn how the pain of grief can be evoked, allowed and held with compassion and respect, and also how to hold a ritual to support the movement of grief through one’s being, in community.” 2026 Apprenticing to Grief participant
Dates for 2026 – in person
Oxfordshire, Sept 28 – Oct 4th at Braziers Park, details here
We have one space available for this programme due to cancellations. If you are interested please apply soon.
Please read full details about the online and in person programmes scheduled for 2026, and find the link to the application form on this page.
“A perfect way for a facilitator to bring in grief into your holding no matter if one-one or a group.” 2026 Apprenticing to Grief participant
Apprenticing to Grief On line feb-apr 2027
Applications open in August 2026
- Three weekend modules: February 26-28th, March 19-21st, April 9th-11th 2027
- Times: Friday 4 – 6pm, 7 – 8.30pm.. Saturday 12 – 2pm, 4-6pm, 7 – 8.15pm.. Sunday 12 – 2pm, 4-6pm
- Plus two in-between evenings, time and dates to be confirmed
- Facilitation team: Sarah Pletts, Jeremy Thres and Dita Vizoso plus Sophy Banks and others. See more about the team here
- Cost: sliding scale from £630 – £1230
apprenticing residential: Devon, June 26 – July 2nd 2027
- Dates: Saturday 26th June 3pm – Friday 2nd July 1.30pm
- Cost of the workshop EXCLUDING accommodation & food: sliding scale from £500 – £1000 with some lower cost places available
- Accommodation and food cost: Camping / campervan: £300; dormitory space: £390. There are limited dormitory spaces.
- Facilitated by Sophy and Sarah with an experienced support team (see information about us here)
More about Grief tending workshops
See more about our range of workshops, including the shape of the journey, different formats we offer, the mystery of doing deep work on line, and some frequently asked questions.
If there’s something you’re looking for and you can’t find it here have a look at our links page, or get in touch and let us know.