As part of the holistic hospice philosophy, we offer a variety of groups & programs, at no cost for people living with a palliative illness, caregivers, and those grieving a loss.

To learn more please contact:
Supportive Care Administrative Assistant
admin.assistant@sjhospicelondon.com
Phone: 519-931-3474

Bereavement Support Groups

H.E.A.L. (Helping Each Other to Acknowledge, Accept, and Learn from Loss)

The HEAL support group assists to rebuild feelings of hope and alleviate suffering by offering a safe, calm space for healing, and for reflection on the narrative of death and loss. This group explores the retelling of the narrative of the death and comprises reconstruction of meaning, reworking of continuing bonds and life review to help each other acknowledge accept and learn from loss.

• Six weeks closed group; registration and group readiness evaluation required.

  Exploring Grief

  This program is loosely based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt's Six Needs of Mourning which explores the connection between tasks of mourning and creative experiences to facilitate the expression of grief, loss, and transition. Informative handouts, grounding exercises, activity outlines, and coping strategies are provided to add to the participants' understanding of the complexities of grief. Each session includes a creative activity such as mask-making, intuitive collage, or painting. Expressive-arts activities enable individuals to externalize their grief, honour relationships with loved ones, and connect meaningfully with others.

• Six weeks closed group; registration required.

  Understanding Your Grief

  Based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s book of the same name, this group aims to inform and support grievers. Each month, this psychoeducational group explores one of Dr. Wolfelt’s Touchstones and a different topic related to grief. This is an online group, hosted on Zoom.

• Bi-weekly drop-in group. One-time registration is required.

  Mindfulness for the Bereaved

  This group 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. One of the greatest anxieties in grief is the fear that the sadness, the loneliness, the anger, the shame, the guilt, (whatever the dominant emotions are) may overwhelm us far beyond our capacity to cope. The fear is unfounded, but it arises, nonetheless. Grounded awareness can be an effective tool to combat this sense of pending overwhelm.

• Six weeks closed group; registration required.

  Practicing Self Compassion

  Practicing Self Compassion explores the importance of self-care and compassion for the mind, body, and heart to ease suffering and nurture self-resilience. When someone is grieving, they may find it difficult to recognize grief as stress and practice self-care which may adversely affect overall wellness physically and emotionally. The “Practice of Self- compassion” focuses on the importance of self-care and compassion for the body and the heart. Topics encourage taking care of the self physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and spiritually. Practicing self-compassion can assist to rebuild feelings of hope and alleviate suffering by offering a safe, calm space for healing, learning and self- reflection.

• Six weeks closed group; registration required.

  Caregiver Support Groups

  Caregiver Conversations

  This group is designed to support informal caregivers as they assist their loved ones who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Clients will have the opportunity to connect with other caregivers, develop communication and coping skills, foster resilience, and reduce feelings of isolation. Topics include stages of caregiving, resources, self-care, and avoiding caregiver burnout. Meditation and mindfulness techniques will also be

  explored.

• Six weeks closed group; registration required.

Wellness Programs

(Offered to Bereaved and Caregiver Clients)

Step by Step

This gentle walking group is designed to help you reconnect with the beauty of our neighbourhood, while enjoying the company of others. We walk (excluding statutory holidays) Rain or Shine.

• Open group, come as you please. Open to bereaved and caregiver clients.

  Connected Through Cooking

  This monthly cooking group provides the bereaved and caregivers with an opportunity to learn cooking skills and connect with other clients who may be going through a similar experience. Due to the popularity of this program and space constraints, participants are limited to taking the group 4 times per year. This group takes place in-person, at our Bistro.

• Monthly group, monthly registration is required. Open to bereaved and caregiver clients.

  Meditation

  Join us for a relaxing hour of guided meditation led by one of our experienced volunteers. No previous meditation experience is required, only an open mind and willingness to try.

• Weekly group. This group is open to everyone, clients, caregivers, residents, and volunteers.

  Men’s Coffee Club

  The Men’s Coffee Club is an informal, bi-weekly group where participants can meet and chat over light refreshments. This group gives men the opportunity to connect in a relaxed and supportive setting.

• Bi-weekly group. Drop In; initial registration is required.