Welcome to the Village Hearth

Ever wondered why you feel the call to sit around a fire and stare at the flames?

For thousands of years, the hearth was where grief had somewhere to go. Where people gathered at the end of the day not just to rest, but to share what had been lost, what had changed, what could not be carried alone.

The Village Hearth brings that same spirit into an online space. A gentle grief gathering shaped by music, shared silence, and human connection. A place to come as you are, especially when life feels tender, uncertain, or heavy. You don’t need to arrive feeling calm or composed.

Through intuitive live music, piano, flute, drum, sound bowls and chimes, alongside shared presence, we create a space where grief is not something to fix or move through quickly.

It is something we can sit with. Together.

You are welcome to speak or remain quiet, to share what is here or simply be held by the rhythm of the gathering.

People come for many reasons: loss, endings, change, quiet heartbreaks, collective grief, or the feeling of carrying something unnamed.

Whatever you are holding, you do not have to hold it alone here.

Why The Village Hearth Exists

We are living in a time where grief is everywhere, and yet rarely given space.

Personal loss.
Changing identities.
The weight of the world.
Things ending that we cannot name or explain.

Most of us have not been shown how to be with grief.
We are encouraged to carry it quietly, to stay functional, to move on.

But grief does not disappear when it is ignored.
It settles in the body. It lingers in the nervous system. It shapes how we meet life and each other.

The Village Hearth exists as a place where grief can be witnessed. Not analysed, rushed or fixed. Just gently, humanly, held in community.

What Happens During a Gathering?

Each gathering unfolds slowly.

Arrival
You’ll be welcomed by Catherine’s live music as we arrive together. A soft landing. A chance to let the day fall away and notice what is here.

Music, Writing & Reflection
Live music moves through the space, offering a way to feel what words sometimes cannot reach. There may be poetry, gentle prompts, or quiet moments to write or reflect.

Grief often lives beyond language. This space allows it to be felt in its own way.

Ritual
Simple, guided rituals support us to acknowledge what is present. These are accessible, non-performative, and open to everyone. A way of saying, quietly: this matters.

Circle Space
There is space to share, if you wish. You might speak your grief. You might not have words and want to simply listen.

All ways of being are welcome.

We listen without fixing, without advising, without needing to make anything better.

Facilitated by
Tanya Forgan & Catherine Holt

Tanya and Catherine hold trauma-informed spaces that honour the body, the heart, and the quiet intelligence of grief.

Their work weaves together live music, circle, embodiment, and ritual to create spaces where people can soften, feel, and remember they are not alone.

Next Gathering
16th APRIL · 7:30pm - 9PM (UK time)

We offer a sliding scale, rooted in trust, accessibility, and collective support.

Supported — £22
For those who would benefit from a lower-cost place at this time. This option exists so that finances are not a barrier to participation. Please choose this with ease if it supports you.

Standard — £28
The true cost of the gathering. Choosing this rate helps sustain the work and supports the continuation of these spaces.

Supporter — £35
For those who have the capacity to contribute a little more. Your support helps make reduced-price places possible for others and strengthens the wider community.

We invite you to choose the tier that feels honest and sustainable for your current circumstances.