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Langley Hospice helps with holiday grief

 

The Langley Hospice Society offers help to those who are facing death, and to families who are losing or have just lost loved ones.

It is also increasingly working with people who are grieving, whether in the short or long term.

This year, the society is offering a free workshop, and a memorial event, both linked to the difficulties people can have with grief around the holidays.

The Coping with Grief During the Holidays Workshop is a free seminar scheduled for Dec. 4.

The focus of the event is to provide practical, concrete ways that people can support themselves and others as they navigate the holiday season.

How to communicate your needs to others, possible feelings and emotions that might be experienced, how personal rituals develop and change, and the focus on self care will all be discussed.

This is the first year for this project at the Hospice Society, said Shannon Todd Booth. The program was developed with a student working at the centre.

The traditions of the season can be quite different when missing someone, Todd Booth noted.

“For some, that doesn’t mean a recent loss,” she said.

The event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the society’s Supportive Program Centre, at 20660 48 Ave., near the Langley City Park football field.

The workshop is open to the public and free to attend, but because of limited space, people are asked to call and register in advance.

“We’re not sure what the response will be like from the public,” said Todd Booth.

On Dec. 11, Hospice will hold an annual memorial event for both its current clients and community members to attend.

The Journey Through the Holidays event will consist of a candle-lighting ceremony, a slide show, and a commemorative ritual, and will be followed by snacks provided by the Hospice Society and volunteers.

The society has been running this program for many years, and often sees between 50 and 60 people come to take part, said Todd Booth.

People are welcome to bring a friend with them to the ceremony.

The event will be held at the Supportive Program Centre as well, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

As with the workshop, people who plan to attend should register in advance to make sure there is space.

To contact Hospice to register for these events, contact Shivani or Devan at 604-530-1115, or email adultgriefsupport@langleyhospice.com. 

You can also visit the Hospice’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/langleyhospicesociety, or follow the society on Twitter at @LangleyHospice.

The Langley Hospice Society has been using its Supportive Program Centre on 48th Avenue to host a number of programs, from community walks to gatherings of children. The society works to help people dealing with grief at all ages and stages of life.



Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in Langley, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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