Free places available on Southern Area Hospice’s bereavement support programme

There are places available on the Southern Area Hospice’s bereavement support programme.

Southern Area Hospice (SAH) is providing support for individuals bereaved due to palliative conditions through a seven-week programme called ‘The Bereavement Journey’.

Beginning on 29 January, The Bereavement Journey takes place at St John’s House in Newry. It explores grief and provides a space for individuals to process their loss in groups with others who have experienced bereavement. It is available to those who have been bereaved due to a palliative illness such as cancer, heart failure or motor neurone disease. You do not have to be known to Southern Area Hospice or have used its services to join this programme.

The Bereavement Journey programme is open to all residents of the Southern Trust area, including the main towns of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dungannon, Portadown, Newry and the Mourne area. Facilitated by the SAH Bereavement Support Team, the programme sessions cover: exploring the experience of loss, understanding the pain of grief and ways to respond, navigating reactions from others, overcoming obstacles on the grief journey, adapting to change and moving forward.

Jim Fleming, SAH Chaplain said: “Grief is a natural response to loss and it can be a difficult and painful experience for a lot of people. This programme is designed to help those who are struggling with bereavement and I would encourage them to sign up so that we can help them in a variety of ways to cope with their grief.” 

Monday evening sessions (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm) will start from January 29. Individuals are still welcome to enrol in the Tuesday afternoon sessions (1:30 pm - 3:30 pm), which started on January 23. Participants must opt for either the Tuesday afternoon or Monday evening session for the duration of the programme.

Venue: Southern Area Hospice, St. John’s House, Newry.

Register your interest in attending The Bereavement Journey programme on the website www.southernareahospiceservices.org/the-bereavement-journey or by calling 028 3026 7711.

The Bereavement Journey is an additional element to the existing bereavement support services offered by Southern Area Hospice, such as complementary therapy, bereavement drop-in café, bereavement walking group, counselling and family night. For more information, visit the bereavement section of the website www.southernareahospiceservices.org/bereavement-services.