Little Haven holds regular informal bereavement support group meeting at our centre that are open to anyone who has experienced loss and grief. Participants may attend whenever they wish free of charge.
Coping with loss is discussed in a supportive and confidential environment, facilitated by experienced bereavement support staff Sally and Lisa. Topics shared may include dealing with loneliness, understanding the grieving process, adjusting to life without your loved one, taking next steps and finding meaning and reinvesting in life.
What are bereavement support groups?
Support groups are a way of bringing people together in a safe space to share common life experiences with a mutual understanding of shared challenges and problems.
The strength of support groups lie in the connections and understandings that come from shared experiences of grief.
- normalising the grief journey
- listening and sharing personal experiences
- creating social networks and reducing feelings of isolation
- discovering personal strengths and building resilience
- providing relevant information.
Who can join?
These groups are for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one, whether that loved one be a child, a young person, parent, sibling, a close relative, friend, neighbour, or work colleague.
When and where do the groups meet?
Our Coffee and Chat Support Groups are a relaxed group meeting held in The Little Haven Centre at 14 Henry Street catering for adults who have experienced any form of bereavement.
Groups are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10am – 11.30am and the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9am – 10.30am
Little Haven has also recently started a weekly walking group.
Walking is beneficial for nurturing mental health, reducing symptoms of stress and depression as well as the wonderful benefits to physical health. Walking in a group has the additional advantage of providing social support at a time when the bereaved often feel isolated.
There is still a stigma around death and dying in our society and unfortunately this can result in people avoiding a person with a palliative diagnosis or someone who is bereaved as they are unsure what to say.
If you are interested in one on one support or attending any of Little Haven’s support groups phone 5482 9091.
I would encourage anyone who feels unsure around someone who is palliative or grieving that you can be supportive by saying I’m not sure what to say, but I care’ or simply by being there – no words needed.
