Participants are expected to be at least 13 months past from their own bereavement.

This workshop is aim specifically at those people who, having experienced the intense grief and pain that the loss of a loved one brings, now face the enormous task of rebuilding their lives to a new design.

This two day workshop is a mixture of bereavement and self awareness and is designed to:

Provide a safe and supportive environment in which bereaved people may reflect on their bereavement in the context of their whole life experience.

Bring to awareness the contribution other losses have made to their present way of being

Integrate all of this in exploring options for the future

On Day One

We review and revisit the bereavement, offering participants the opportunity to connect with and complete aspects of their grieving.

And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
- behind a veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.

I wait for the time
when we can soar together again
- both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to it's fullest
and when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart
... I will be there.

On Day Two

The focus is on the life of the participant, identifying patterns which have supported and enhanced our ability to function, as well as separating out current bereavement from older grief and loss.

'Comes The Dawn'

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and that company doesn't mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of
a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,
that you really are strong and you really do have worth.

And you learn and you learn,
with every goodbye you learn.

Participants gain satisfaction in having confronted difficult issues, recognised and applauded strengths and broadened their awareness of their own lives. Options are explored which enable us to function more positively.

This workshop is an intense experience, dealing with personal issues in a safe and confidential environment.

The Facilitators
Jutka Freiman
Jackie Barrett
Jackie has been working with bereaved people for 18 years. She was awarded an OAM in 1993 in recognition of her commitment and dedication to supporting grieving people.

A grief counsellor in private practice, she is also committed to group work, believing that we have the power to be involved in each other's healing.