Dying affects everyone in a family. We all have different ways of coping with grief and some people find they feel overwhelmed with a wide variety of emotions. It takes time and energy to grieve. Our counselling staff and volunteers at the Supportive Care Centre understand the different reactions to grief and are available to offer support following the death. The volunteers provide understanding, empathy and a listening ear, and for those who are finding it more difficult to cope, the counselling staff is available free of charge.

Through our Bereavement Services we offer a variety of group programs. We encourage participants to contact the Supportive Care Centre and register for a program or be put on a waiting list to be called when a program begins. Drop-in groups do not require pre-registration. Groups held when there is a need include a Bereaved Parents Group, Men's Group, Young Widows/Widowers Group, Teens Group. Call 604-948-0660 for more information.

Resources

The Care Centre is an excellent resource for library books, audio and videotapes, pamphlets and handouts on grief and loss. Bereavement services include individual and group support and are available for children, teens and adults.

Drop-in Walking Group – Wednesday mornings at 10 am

Participants meet at the Supportive Care Centre and venture off together ~ some taking long walks and others taking a shorter one. Everyone gathers back at the Care Centre for refreshments and socialization. This group is an opportunity for exercise, fresh air and peer support ~ being with others who have experienced a similar loss often brings comfort.

Drop-in Relaxation Circle – Tuesday mornings at 10 am

One of the counselling staff facilitates the group using music and visualization while volunteers offer foot and brow stroking to enhance relaxation. Participants wear comfortable clothing. Mats and pillows are supplied.

Counselling

Our counselling services extend to individuals, family members, colleagues, school staff or students, community groups and the business community. For people at local businesses, counsellors offer consultation, crisis intervention, on-site support groups and other services. They will support organizations when there has been a death in the workplace, offering staff members an opportunity to share their grief. For sudden, unexpected death, counsellors will provide critical incident debriefing and provide any necessary follow-up.

School Education and Support

Our counselling staff and experienced volunteers offer education and support in the school setting. Our team works closely with school counsellors and teachers to support both the students and the school staff when students are impacted by a family members who is seriously ill or in the event of sudden death.

Memory Box Program – for the death of a child

Memory Boxes are available for families who have experienced SIDS, stillbirth or early infant death. There are a group of Canadian decorative artists that have donated their time and money to paint boxes for grieving families. Each box is painted with great love and a sincere wish to reach out in support and understanding. It is their hope that this box brings some small comfort and the knowledge that many people understand that your child was special and very, very loved.

“Special Memories Artists”, Ontario, Canada