Support Groups & Events

Rain Down Words Grief Writing Workshops in 2021

Join Deb Balcome, Intuitive Writing Guide/Grief and Loss Facilitator, for a series of guided writing sessions to aid grievers in their journey with loss.

Debbie uses guided meditation and structured writes to explore the different dimensions of grief. Whether the grief you carry is from an actual death or from some of the many losses we sustain in life, come and be welcomed into a safe space with other grief journeys.

Grief and Loss Writing to Heal: Four Week Series

When: Saturdays, January 16 - February 2. 1:00PM - 3:00 PM OR Thursdays, February 18 - March 11, 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: All workshops are virtual through Zoom.

Grief and Loss: One Evening Workshops

For those who do not sign up for the 4-week workshop, you're welcome to attend one evening workshop offered on the below dates:

Monday January 25 or February 8 from 7PM-9PM via Zoom

Tuesday March 2 from 7PM-9PM via Zoom

Wednesday February 3 or March 17 from 7PM-9PM via Zoom

Thursday January 21 or February 18 from 7PM-9PM via Zoom

Saturday January 16, March 13 or March 27 from 1PM-3PM via Zoom

See website for more info: www.raindownwords.com

Victoria Hospice Online Suicide Loss Support Group

Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 pm

Feb. 10th to Mar. 31st

Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services is offering an 8-week support group for adults who are grieving a loved one who has died by suicide. Facilitated by two bereavement counsellors, the group incorporates grief education, sharing and support, therapeutic activities and creative exploration. The group aims to enhance one’s sense of community and belonging, explore unique features of grief in response to suicide death, and support the healing and adaption process of grief.

Where: Due to COVID-19 distancing, the group will take place Online on Zoom Video Platform (you will need a device that can access Zoom, and has a microphone and a camera). You will also need a private space where you can participate in the group.

Who: A limited number of participants (6-8) to enhance comfort (Commitment to attend all sessions enhances the value of the group experience.)

Registration: please call 250-519-3040 or email Hospice.Bereavement@viha.ca

** A pre-group interview with a counsellor is required to discuss your needs, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether the group is a good fit for you at this time.

**Information for setting up Zoom and participating in this group will be sent via email prior to the start of the group. Your email will also be used to contact you throughout the 8 weeks about practical information for the group (Zoom invitation, resources from the sessions, etc.)

Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society (LMGRS) Grief Support Groups

The programs are designed for those who have suffered the death of a significant person by helping them understand, cope and live with their loss. LMGRS helps the grieving person move from pain to healing in a non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential environment.

Where: Downtown Vancouver (Georgia & Burrard)
When: February 22 – March 29, 2021
We begin the registration and intake process January 22, 2021
Monday evenings: Six sessions plus Follow up: 7 – 9pm

Where: Kerrisdale (37th & Larch)
When: February 9 – March 6, 2021
We begin the registration and intake process January 5, 2021
Tuesday evenings: Six sessions plus Follow up: 7 – 9pm

For more information on how to register and the intake process, click here.

Island Health MAiD Bereavement Support Group - Virtual (Ongoing)

When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm.

When a family member or close friend chooses medical assistance in dying (MAiD), those left behind may experience a wide range of emotions and possibly conflicting feelings about the choice their loved one made. Grief and loss (bereavement) support is available. Our free bereavement support group for family and friends of MAiD recipients in the Victoria area is a judgement free, safe, compassionate environment to share and express your feelings and emotions. This group is founded on a supportive culture of end-of-life dignity and freedom of choice. During COVID, and in accordance with the Provincial Health Officer's order to practice physical distancing, the group will be meeting virtually via a secure video link connection.

Please contact Oceanna Hall, Clinical Specialist at 250-886-1077 to register or for further details

Virtual Adult Grief Group

The Centre for Supportive Care is hosting an adult grief group for those who have experienced the death of a loved one and would like support during this difficult time.

When: Wednesdays for 6 weeks, January 27- March 3, 2021; 6:30PM - 8:00PM

Where: Offered via Zoom

For more information or to pre-register, email debra@deltahospice.org. You can also reach the Centre at 604-948-0660.

Suicide Bereavement Support Group

The Delta Hospice is hosting a support group for individuals from all communities who are bereaved through suicide.

When: 3^rd Thursday of each month 6:30-8:00 pm.

Where: This group is currently held via Zoom and will return to in-person once the risk of COVID-19 is reduced.

Cost: Free

For more information or to register, please contact Teresa at (604) 948-0660 (ext. 312) or email teresa@deltahospice.org

*** New participants are welcome to join at any time.***

The Vancouver Hospice Society COVID-19 Support Group

The Vancouver Hospice Society is running a group for individuals who have lost a loved one due to COVID. The group will explore the impact of the pandemic on the process of grief as well as the experience of a death due to COVID.

Contact counselling@vancouverhospice.org for more details. Dates are to be determined.

The Compassionate Friends Zoom Support Group for Parents: Virtual - Monthly

TCF of Greater Vancouver has a virtual support group on Zoom on the second Saturday of each month at 2pm.

This support group is for bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a child; siblings and grandparents are also welcome.

Please e-mail VancouverbbyTCF@hotmail.com for registration.

Virtual Webinars & Resources

Living My Culture.ca

Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions. At LivingMyCulture.ca, people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others. Perspectives include First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Chinese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Indian, Iranian, Italian, Pakistani and Somali.

Morning Star Lodge

This infographic by Morning Star Lodge at the University of Saskatchewan is a guide for Indigenous Peoples for processing grief and maintaining holistic health during these uncertain times. Canadian Virtual Hospice and the University of Saskatchewan Medical School were partners in the development of this resource.

Camp Kerry Support Groups

Adult Grief Support Group: Monday, January 18-March 8, 4-5 pm PST / 7-8 pm EST

This 8-week online program provides opportunities for adults who are bereaved to connect, to share their experiences of loss in a supportive environment, to honour their loved ones, and to learn strategies that can assist them in coping as they grieve.

Perinatal Loss Support Group: Tuesday, January 19-March 9, 3-4 pm PST / 6-7 pm EST

The group is facilitated by a registered therapist with expertise in supporting parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, and/or infant death, with the assistance of a peer-mentor who has lived experience of pregnancy/infant loss. Participants can expect an opportunity to share and connect with other bereaved parents who have experienced this type of loss and who are grieving.

Writing Our Grief Support Group: Tuesday, January 19-Febuary 23, 7-8:30 pm PST / 10-11:30 pm EST – WAITLIST (if you are interested please sign up for the waitlist as you will get priority to register for the next session)

Facilitated by counsellor and published writer Tama Recker, this series is suitable for those without any writing experience and seasoned writers alike. Participants will be guided to access creative thinking and mindfulness practices that encourage listening to inner thoughts and feelings as well to one’s grief process in new ways.

For questions or help with registration, please contact the Camp Kerry office at info@campkerry.org or 604-553-4663

Victoria Hospice Online Bereavement Support Groups

Thursdays, 4:30 – 6:00 pm

March 11th to April 15th
May 6th to June 10th

A 6-week support group focused on bereavement following the death of a loved one, facilitated by a Victoria Hospice Bereavement Counsellor. This group includes both sharing and support, as well as grief education.

Each session will consist of:

A check-in in which each participant will have a chance to speak to where they are at in their grief that day;
A 10-15 minute presentation on a topic intended to support you in your grief;
And a discussion of the topic and other predominant themes of the day.

Where: Online using Zoom platform (must have access to a device that can have a Zoom account and has a microphone and camera).

Who: Limited number of registered participants who are bereaved following the loss of a loved one.

Register by contacting our email at Hospice.Bereavement@viha.ca or by calling our office number at 250-519-3040.

** A pre-group interview with a counsellor is required to discuss your needs, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether the group is a good fit for you at this time.
**Information for setting up Zoom and participating in this type of group format will be sent via email prior to the start date of the group.
**Your email will also be used to contact you throughout the 6 weeks about practical information for the group (Zoom invitation, resources from the sessions, evaluations, etc).