Grief support group to start

A grief support group is to be set up in Gore early next month.

The decision to set up a group was made after a call for expressions of interest brought forth several people interested in the idea.

The group would be set up under the umbrella of the Gore New Life Church, support group co-ordinator Ally Bohlsen said.

There had been several deaths within the past year, particularly among young people in the Gore district, and that had prompted Mrs Bohlsen to investigate the idea of setting up the support group.

The support group would use a recognised programme called Grief-Share Grief Recovery Support Group, which was developed in the United States but had been used globally, Mrs Bohlsen said.

The support group was open to anyone coming to terms with the death of someone close to them, she said.

‘‘It's an opportunity to meet where everyone is feeling the same way and [everyone] can relate to each other in a non-judgemental atmosphere where their grief is validated,'' Mrs Bohlsen said.

The GriefShare programme ran over 13 weeks on a rolling system and people could join at any point during the 13-week rotation and catch up the sessions they missed when the programme rolled around again, she said.

Each session was self-contained, so group members did not have to attend in sequence. Sessions included a short 15-minute video, then opened up for discussion.

The first support group meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 3, between 7pm and 9pm at the Gore New Life Church at 11 Jacob St.

- If anyone wishes to attend, they can contact Mrs Bohlsen on 208-9496.