Staff at Tameside law firm Bromleys have chosen Reuben's Retreat, which provides support to families bereaved of a child and those with complexly poorly children, as their charity of the year for 2022. 

Reuben’s Retreat is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is raising funds to meet its ongoing costs as well as for its multi-million pound Forever Home in Glossop. 

The charity was founded in August 2012 by the family of Reuben Michael Graham, who died at just 23 months from an inoperable brain tumour. 

His family launched Reuben’s Retreat just two days after his death to provide a safe place for families to ‘relax, recharge, remember and rebuild’. 

Initially based in Ashton, the charity purchased the former Wood’s Hospital in Glossop in 2014 for its base. Bromleys did the conveyancing work relating to the transaction for no charge. 

Since its inception, Reuben’s Retreat has supported over 1,300 individuals from across the UK by providing peer-led monthly support groups, meditation evenings, weekend rambles, one-to-one counselling and holistic therapy sessions for parents and siblings as well as regular music and animal therapy, bespoke memory making and memorial events. 

The charity also arranges respite and bereavement breaks, allowing families bereaved of a child to remember and rebuild, and those with a complexly ill child to relax and recharge. 

Reuben’s Retreat recently completed an activity wing at its HQ, which houses a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and play room with chill zone. 

When completed, the Forever Home will feature five apartments for families to come and create memories with however much time they have. 

Stacey Kirkpatrick, senior fundraiser at Reuben’s Retreat, with Paul Westwell of Bromleys

Reuben’s mum Nicola said: “We are absolutely delighted to be Bromleys’ chosen charity, especially after what has been a difficult period during the pandemic for all. 

“We have grown so much more since those early days of receiving Bromleys’ support when we purchased our Retreat nearly eight years ago. 

“We are excited to share how far we have come, and are even more thrilled to have their talented team to be a part of #reubensjourney once more. 

“Our vision is to continue to offer emotional and practical support to families bereaved of a child, and those families facing an uncertain future with their medically complexed child, to offer up unique space, a place where families can relax, recharge, remember and rebuild. 

“Bromleys’ support will be key to building on these many milestones as we commit to the next building project so that we are able to reach more families. 

“We’re so grateful to Bromleys for choosing to support our cause.” 

Bromleys partner Paul Westwell said: “It is great to once again be involved with supporting this worthwhile cause, from the early days of seeing the plans for the Retreat on paper, through completion of the acquisition of the site and then windy walkarounds during the construction phase. Seeing it now in use and the plans to go even further is phenomenal. 

“The support offered by the team at Reuben’s Retreat to all of its users is exemplary in so many respects, and everyone at Bromleys is proud to continue our long association with the charity.”