Loss and Grief Awareness Week 2014
This week marks the start of Skylight’s inaugural Loss and Grief Awareness Week. It is being held from today Monday 28 July and continues until Sunday 3 August.
The week aims to raise awareness about the unique challenges that children, young people and adults face when they’re
grieving a difficult loss, of any kind. It will also offer ideas about ways people can support their friends, family,
whānau, neighbours and communities through such hard times.
There are a number of events being held across New Zealand throughout this week to provide support to those experiencing
difficult times. Some highlights include:
•The grief café at Southern Cross in Wellington on 30th June at 7.30pm. This will involve a guided conversation in relaxed surroundings about the experience of grief. People who come along
can expect to go away with at least one thing that will help through difficult times of grief.
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•A meditation memorial with candle lighting at the Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington on 1st August at 4pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to share experiences with others, and a chance to remember someone or something really
important to you.
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•The bereaved parents group in Christchurch are meeting at the Beat Street Café on 1st August at 6.30pm. All are welcome to bring a candle and a photo of a loved one; candles will be lit at 7pm.
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•Heart Kids NZ are holding a memorial service on 2nd August at the Barn at Ambury Park to honour all heart kids who have
passed away. The building will be open from 12pm for quiet reflection and the service will commence at 1.30pm.A special early
evening community concert organsied by Seasons™ Onehunga, featuring musical contributions from a range of community
groups and schools. The venue will be the St Matthew-In-The-City Anglican Church, 187 Federal St, Auckland Central.
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We are meeting from 6.30 pm onwards at Beat Street Cafe. If you want, you can bring a candle and a photo of your loved
one/ones. All are Welcome.
Candles will be lit at 7 pm as part of a simultaneous nationwide event.
(This event is organised by 'bereaved parents Christchurch' group. We meet monthly on the second Saturday of the month at
Whareora House (by Barrington Mall, Athelstan St) Christchurch at 10 am. Email chrisguerin@clear.net.nz)
Skylight is hosting a unique event on July 30th - combining a guided conversation with others about the experience of
grief with the atmosphere of a warm cafe.
Come and enjoy the company of others in relaxed surroundings and learn more about the little talked about and common
human experience of grief.
Expect to go away with at least one thing to help you through the difficult times of grief and share with others what
has worked for you.
Tea, coffee, drinks and food will be available for purchase from the café/bar.
For a full list of events, see our Loss and Grief Awareness website at http://www.grief.org.nz/events/
Says Tricia Irving Hendry, Deputy Chief Executive at Skylight, “The aim of this week is to raise awareness of loss and grief and to promote ways of supporting those who are
experiencing difficult times. We’re hoping this awareness week will make a genuine contribution to the wellbeing and resilience of New Zealanders and
will become an annual focus. "
We invite all those who are grieving, those who are supporting others, and those who work in support organisations, to
be part of this awareness week. Together, we can help support and educate our community about what grief is like,
demonstrate ways to offer support, and show how to find the right kind of extra help, if it’s needed.
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