Supporting families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities

Supporting families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities

About Us

Oh, the places we have been, the places we have yet to go and the hearts yet to be healed……..

Our journey to becoming a family support charity begins in 2012……

Reuben passed away on the 21st of August 2012 from an aggressive brain tumour whilst on a family holiday in Devon.

His mummy promised him that his life would not be in vain and she would be a legacy in his name.

After all, each life, no matter how brief, can change a little part of our world.

The family were committed to donating Reuben’s organs, to save others.  Unable to do this, his mummy created something special, and just 2 days after losing Reuben, ‘Reuben’s Retreat’ was born.

It was to be a sanctuary, a place where families of children with medical complexities could holiday, a place of comfort, peace and tranquillity, a place where fun and memories could be made.

The family had the opportunity to make fantastic and beautiful memories with Reuben in his short life and wanted to gift this opportunity to others.

Later, when planning Reuben’s memorial, it was decided that the charity would also support families after the loss of a child.

Our Vision & Mission

OUR MISSION

To relieve the distress of families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities.

 

OUR VISION

Walking side-by-side, offering emotional and practical support to families of child loss or those that have a child with medical complexities and may face an uncertain future. Enabling them to create memories cocooned in the sanctuary of Reuben’s Retreat underpinned by our army of love and compassionate hearts.

 

REUBEN’S LEGACY

‘A place to Relax, Recharge, Remember, Rebuild’.

Our Values

Our values are intrinsically woven into our work and compliment our vision and mission to help us to keep families at the heart of everything we do. 

We believe in a fully accessible world where being unique is celebrated. A place where families can feel safe, cared for and held in their journey. 

Authentic;

and true to our mission

Compassionate;

with people at the heart of everything we do

Unique;

in our approach, always

Trusted;

by our communities

Our Timeline

2012

Reuben Michael Graham fell asleep forever in his mummy’s arms

  • Reuben’s Retreat was founded to support other families facing an uncertain future and those bereaved of a precious child.
2013

Reuben’s Retreat gained its official charity status

  • Amazing supporters helped to raise in excess of £500,000 in Reuben’s memory within just 12 months
  • Reuben’s Retreat began work with their first beneficiary family
2014

The charity purchased their ‘forever home’ – a historic former ‘cottage’ hospital in Glossop, Derbyshire

  • Reuben’s Retreat had now hit a momentous milestone as they celebrated raising £1 million in just 23 months
2015

Phase 1 and 2 renovations began in Glossop

  • Transforming the groundskeeper’s house, adjacent outbuilding and landscaping which was completed by August and ‘The Lodge at Reuben’s’ was born – our bereavement, counselling and support centre
2016
Phase 3 work began, and the task of overhauling the main building roof was completed in September

  • The team proudly welcomed the first overnight guests to stay at ‘The Lodge at Reuben’s’ for a 2-night respite break
    Reuben’s Retreat received their biggest grant to date of £150,000 from Thomas Cook Childrens Charity
2017

Reuben’s Retreat turned 5 and phases 4, 5 & 6 began

  • A huge strip out of the main building was completed within the year
    The Reuben’s team launched two new support groups­ Bereavement Support Group and Rambles Walking Group
2018

The small HQ team grew to a team of 7

  • Phase 4, 5 and 6 of the renovation plans continued as a partner is confirmed to transform the ‘west wing’
    The family support team launched their first dedicated activity to support siblings
2019

Phase 4, 5 & 6 continued as the official build started

  • A Senior Fundraiser joined the HQ team to strengthen corporate relationships, run events and apply for grants. The fantastic annual events continued to grow, such as Afternoon Tea, Anglesey Trek, REUBall, Snowdon Sunrise Walk and Scrufts. New events such as MSC Cup and Truck Show also proved popular

    The year was filled with many family fun events, such as Santa Flight, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Pirate Party, Summer Fun Day and more

2020

The charity team grew to a team of 10

  • Amidst the global pandemic the charity manages to support 5x more people whilst launching four new initiatives, Dads’ Club, Me Time, Social Welcare and Yoga Rest & Restore

    The charity also starts to offer increased virtual support, helping to reach more families across the UK