Support Groups & Wellness Programs
Currently offered in-person and online at no cost, our support groups aim to offer solace and comfort for individuals grieving a death, and for those caring for someone with a palliative illness. See each listing below for more information.
Grieving a Loss
The death of a person can be a traumatic and emotionally overwhelming experience. At St. Joseph’s Hospice, we understand that grief is a natural and necessary accompaniment of loss and we offer a variety of supportive care programs and services that help individuals adjust to the loss(es) associated with death. St. Joseph’s Hospice compassionately supports the emotional, spiritual and social well-being of individuals and the bereaved along their palliative care journey.
Our intention is to connect, educate and support our clients by:
Giving responsive care to each person as they move through their unique journey
Providing an atmosphere of respect for each person as they address their life meaning and purpose
Encouraging healing and growth through participation in quality services
Offering a place of solace where hope can be restored under the guidance of trained and empathetic staff and volunteers
If you have experienced a loss due to illness within two years, and are a resident of London, eighteen years and older you are welcome to reach out to our Community & Supportive Care team for more information.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, all programs and services are offered at no charge for residents of London, Ontario. If you or a loved one is living with a terminal illness, or have had a loss due to illness in the past two years, we are here for you.
Contact us to hear more about our services and programs, or scroll down to see our current program schedule.
Supportive Care Administrative Assistant
Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape.
– C.S. Elliott
Available to children and families visiting our Hospice Residence, our Children’s Grief Cart is full of supplies, activities, and resources!
H.E.A.L.
H.E.A.L. – Helping Each Other to Acknowledge, Accept, and Learn from Loss. 6-session support group on Mondays. (No group Oct. 11)
Practicing Self-Compassion
Six session program that explores the importance of self-care and compassion for the mind, body, and heart to ease suffering and to nurture self-resilience.
Step by Step Walking Group
Join us every Monday morning in October for our Step by Step Walking Group. This calm walking group provides an opportunity to revitalize our bodies, to enjoy the silence of nature and to share stories and feelings with others who have experienced a loss.
Connected Through Cooking
Join Hospice Chef Allan Barnfield IN PERSON in our Hospice bistro each month for a fun and interactive group designed to help you build your confidence in the kitchen. This group is ideal for anyone who is new to cooking, or looking to reignite their passion for the kitchen, but all levels of culinary experience are welcome.
Exploring Grief
Six session program that explores the connection between the six tasks of mourning and creative expression. Participants will engage in group discussions and activities, as well as receive thoughtful journaling prompts to further explore their grief through the written word.
Understanding Your Grief
Understanding Your Grief is designed to support, through education, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Based on the work of Dr. Alan Wolfelt, each month a new topic about grief will be presented, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and to join with others in a conversation about the grief experience.
Mindfulness for the Bereaved
Six session IN-PERSON program that explores the connection between mind, body, and breath. Mindfulness bereavement support is about helping bereaved individuals acknowledge the truth of the moment they are in, even (or especially) when that moment hurts.
Creating Room for Comfort: Making Room for Self-Care through Mindfulness-based Art
A joint venture between St. Joseph’s Hospice and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, intended to provide wellness support to bereaved and caregiver clients with an art-therapy focus. Group members will gain a deeper understanding of their personal experience, a deeper sense of self while developing coping mechanisms, a sense of community, and continued support during a period of transition.