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 week, this psychoeducational group explores two of Dr. Wolfelt’s 10

  Touchstones and a different topic related to grief. This program offers a gentle and

  supportive environment to explore and discuss these spiritual, social, emotional and

  cognitive actions to help you understand your grief and find continued meaning in life.

• This is a 5-week program offered online via Microsoft Teams in the evenings; registration 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.

  Palliative Client Support Groups

  Shared Steps: Living with a Serious Illness

  This is an online support group for adults living with serious illness, offering connection,

  understanding, and space to talk about what matters most. This group provides a safe and

  respectful environment to connect with others who are navigating similar experiences. It is

  a place to share, listen, and receive support in a professionally facilitated setting.

• This group will be held monthly and registration is 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. This group moves indoors during the winter months.

This group meets once a week; one time registration required, then attend as you please.

Open to all clients.

• 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

  1experience. Due to the popularity of this program and space constraints, participation is

  limited. 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.

  Each week, the facilitator will explore a different topic or theme. No previous meditation

  experience is required, only an open mind and willingness to try.

  This group meets once a week; one time registration required, then attend as you please.

  Open to clients, caregivers, residents, and volunteers.

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

Yoga

Calm and nourish your entire being with these 60 min yoga sessions that give you the time,

space, and tools to replenish your spirit and engage in deep self-care. Sessions will take you

through a flow of floor-based yoga postures and mindful movements, with breathing

practices and meditations that can be modified to support individual needs and comfort. No

previous experience required. Please arrive 5-10 mins early for set up.

BRING 1 blanket and 1 yoga mat. DRESS in stretchable, comfortable clothes.

• This group meets once a month; one time registration required. Open to all clients.

Yoga Chair

Discover a gentler way to move, stretch, and strengthen. This chair yoga program adapts

traditional yoga poses using a sturdy chair for support, making the practice accessible, safe,

and effective for everyone. A certified yoga instructor will guide you through beginner-

friendly exercises and gentle movements. This program helps you rebuild mobility without

the need to get down on the floor.

• This group meets once a month; one time registration required. Open to all clients.

Men’s Coffee Club

The Men’s Coffee Club is an informal, bi-weekly group where caregivers and the bereaved

can meet and chat over light refreshments. This group gives men the opportunity to

connect in a relaxed and supportive setting.

• This group meets every other week; one time registration is required. Open to bereaved and

caregiver clients.

Women’s Social Club

The Women’s Social Club is a new, casual program offering caregivers and those

navigating grief a compassionate space to share common experiences, support one

another, and build meaningful relationships.

• This group meets every other week; one time registration required. Open to bereaved and caregiver clients.

Open Door: Grief Check-In NEW

Open Door is a monthly online support program designed to offer a safe space to check in,

access peer support, and share any troubles or worries that may arise each month. This

gentle, unstructured program offers a space to check-in with your grief and with people who

understand. Clients can show up for this program exactly how they are, with no pressure or

expectations, and choose to share or listen from the comfort of their home. Clients can sign

in at any time and can choose to turn their camera on or keep it off.

• This group meets once a month; one time registration is required. Open to bereaved clients.