15 Jun EMBRACING GRIEF – A WEEKEND COMMUNITY JOURNEY
Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th January 2026 – In Person, 10am – 6pm (UTC+00:00), London E5 (Non-Residential) With Sarah Pletts, Tony Pletts and Aama Sade ~
Grief Tending is a powerful way to work with the pain that we all carry. We will embark on a two day group journey of holding, sharing, and witnessing our individual and collective grief. In this workshop we create a space where each of us has the opportunity to express whatever emotions arise, and feel the depth and connection that comes from sharing this with others.
We offer exercises to welcome feelings, whether they are easy or difficult to access. We do not intend to ‘fix’ our grief. Instead, we will use practices to tend to and honour its presence, co-creating a space which gives permission to its expression, in a way that works for you. This 2 day non-residential session will provide more spaciousness than in our regular 4 hour workshops. It can provide more time to step into complex inner terrain.
~ Why Grief? ~
We live in a world that is soaked in grief and yet when it comes knocking on our door we are usually expected to deal with it on our own. ‘Keep calm and carry on’, we are told. Shut it out – close it down – keep it to yourself.
With this work we build on a very different foundation, one that values grief as a great teacher. Each person’s grief process is unique, a response to a wide range of life experiences, not just bereavement. Sadness, rage, anxiety, hopelessness, betrayal, shame and numbness, and gratitude are just a few of its manifestations.
Giving space to connect with our grief, both through personal expression and in witnessing others, can be a healing and life affirming experience, often provoking relief, laughter and tears.
With this work we join the human cultures around the world that have used shared grieving as a resource to connect with themselves, their communities, and the natural world.
~ Is this for me? ~
All sources of grief are welcome, none prioritised or excluded. Some might find grief right there on the surface, ready to be expressed, while others may take the time to connect with grief that feels stuck and difficult to access.
Whether you are recovering from change, loss or separation, trying to process past experiences, or you experience disconnection from feeling, you are welcome. People may bring challenging themes and strong expressions of emotion.
The workshop may not be suitable for those with severe depression or mental health problems, or those feeling particularly fragile, alone or unsupported. We’re available to discuss this with you if you are unsure whether this workshop is right for you at the moment, so please don’t hesitate to contact either Sarah (welcome@loveandloss.co.uk) or Bilal (bilal.nasim@tough-cookie.co.uk).
We offer use of our colourful chosen family community home in order to offer this work at this price. Please be aware that it is not a neutral venue. The venue has steps, stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair users – please accept our apologies.
Short videos that show what happens in a Grief Tending workshop and other questions here.
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATORS
Sarah Pletts is an artist with a deep curiosity about mortality. Inspired by the uncertainty of our times, she is drawn to ‘Apprentice to Grief’, following in the work of Francis Weller, Joanna Macy, Sophy Banks, Jeremy Thres and others. She brings creativity and her exploration of the body to the practice of grief tending. She lives in London with partners and chosen family. She loves to walk the dog, dance wildly and eat virtuous chocolate (https://www.loveandloss.co.uk).
Tony Pletts founded his art direction and construction company Einstein’s Octopus in 1987, a flexible business that’s allowed him to pursue other creative paths. Tony’s made radio programmes for BBC Radio 4 (his North Korean mini series was nominated for a SONY) and has just finished his first book, Love To The Power Of Three. Tony is also a trustee for the charity WAYout, a free at the point of use creative ‘University of the Street’ that works with street youth in Sierra Leone. Here he teaches both online and in person when he has the opportunity to visit. A rich and varied life has frequently exposed Tony to the teachings of grief and he started facilitating workshops with Sarah in 2019. (https://www.loveandloss.co.uk).
Bilal Nasim (www.bilalnasim.com) is a facilitator, trainer and artist exploring what it means to be alive and our relationship with death. Bilal is an experienced grief-tender and has been holding grief-spaces since 2018. Bilal hosts workshops on confronting death, Death Cafe‘s, is training as a death doula with Red Tent End Of Life Doulas, and is a personal resilience trainer with Mycelium Group (https://myceliumgroup.co).
Embracing Grief Ethics Statement:
FEEDBACK
“It was such a heart soothing and soul-enriching experience to participate in the space you created. I felt so utterly welcomed, free to bring whatever was alive in me, and never pressured to be anywhere I wasn’t. I had moments of feeling a huge resistance in myself, and was allowed to dance with that and invite what was hiding underneath. The threads that you wove to create our container felt so gently, lovingly and intentionally woven, held with both sincerity and lightness.” – Anon
“I felt tended, attended, respected. There was space for my grief, in a way that was not forced or distant, but rather inviting a nourishing intimacy. I felt we were all moving through the flow together, even though we could all follow our own pace. I touched some deep grief, and felt lighter and resourced afterwards. I deeply appreciate the work and care that are put into preparation and integration. Thank you for holding this space. It is human medicine.” – Anon
EVENT DETAILS
Exact address will be included in your confirmation email.
TICKET PRICES:
£105 Bursary (2 spaces available on request – please email Sarah: welcome@loveandloss.co.uk)
£145 Low Income (2 spaces available)
£185 Standard
£215 Higher Income
£255 Supporter
Once you have purchased a ticket, you will receive an Advance Information Form which we require to be completed before the workshop – This is both to help you to prepare for the session and for us to be able to support your needs.
NOTE: We only send the exact address and what to bring upon receiving a completed Advance Information Form.
There will be a maximum of 12 available places excluding the team. Limited places will be available at the Bursary rate for those who are either unemployed, have insufficient/unstable income or are clearly unable to afford the Standard price. Bursary places must be requested, to do this please email Sarah: welcome@loveandloss.co.uk).
Limited places are also available at the Low Income rate. The Supporter and High Income price part-subsidises those paying the Bursary and Low Income price.
Please note: We require a minimum number of attendees for events to go ahead. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Note: We will start on time, please arrive 15 minutes before start time.
NO ENTRY AFTER: 30 minutes after start time. (If you are running late please contact us immediately).
ENQUIRIES: Sarah: welcome@loveandloss.co.uk
If you have any access requirements please get in touch and note that the venue has awkward steps/stairs. This workshop is inclusive to everyone regardless of age (18+), ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and otherwise.
Please note: We require a minimum number of attendees for events to go ahead.
REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.
ACCESS: We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss.
Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this is you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.