Canberra Grief Centre delivered a grief workshop over three Saturday mornings to members of the Solace ACT branch.

“On behalf of Solace, I would like to thank you both very much for your professional attitude to the training you conducted for our members. I am sure everybody learnt a lot about grief and themselves, and they certainly enjoyed it. We look forward to utilising your services again in the future”

Pam B

President, Solace ACT Inc

Canberra Grief Centre had the opportunity to deliver grief education in support of the staff and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House ACT.

‘A huge THANK YOU & WELL DONE to Sonia and Mandy from Canberra Grief Centre for your personable yet professional approach to our Grief Training Workshops. Prior to attending the session I was sceptical and a little nervous about what we were going to be presented with however the flow of the workshop and your flexibility to discuss rather than lecture was highly appreciated. Your positive approach to a somewhat confronting topic was fascinating and fresh. We left the session feeling confident, informed and ready to deal with grief and loss in Ronald McDonald House Canberra.   From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!’

MM Staff Manager

Ronald McDonald House Canberra

We have all experienced loss in our lives. The loss of people who are significant to us can leave an indelible legacy as we cope with the grief and strong emotions that loss brings. Grief left unattended may re-surface at times when you least expect it, without realising its presence and its impact on your quality of living.

In my role as a palliative medicine physician, the value of services that help people and their families to manage grief and loss is well recognised and a cornerstone of palliative care services. However, loss doesn’t always just come in an end-of-life palliative context – so where can you turn if you have experienced loss?

The Canberra Grief Centre is a welcome addition to the ACT. For you, your family member or friend, the Canberra Grief Centre could be the place to find the support and connection that you are looking for when grieving the loss of a loved one. It is an invaluable local resource, staffed by professionals who know and understand grief. 

DR Mark Boughey

Assoc Prof, St Vincent Palliative Care Services, Melbourne

Canberra Grief Centre supports our police personnel in their role of supporting bereaved families in our community:

Wonderful and informative presentation.  So interesting and useful in our work.  Wish we had more time

Sonia delivered wonderfully.  She is a calming influence when discussing a difficult topic.  I took a lot from the training

Workshop participants

Australian Federal Police

Thank you to Canberra Grief Centre for coming to talk to us. You spoke about grief in a real and normalising way. It was an open and honest discussion which meant we all felt understood and accepted.

The way you spoke about grief makes absolute sense.  This understanding will change the way I support grieving people.  Thank you

Lifeline Canberra

Sonia facilitated a perinatal Grief and Loss workshop for our team of Genetic Counsellors. The workshop was absolutely wonderful! I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to grieve, expanded knowledge of grief and loss theory, and more strategies to assist families in this space. I benefited from the balance of information and time to reflect with the group. Sonia is an experienced,  professional, and engaging facilitator. Thank you Sonia!

Stephanie B

Associate Genetic Counsellor

OzHelp Foundation in partnership with Canberra Grief Centre, facilitated a half day workshop on ‘Gender and Grief’. The course was designed for individuals who support people bereaved in our community. This included counsellors, health and welfare workers, education professionals and support workers.

“… Thank you both very much. Not only has it given me help in assisting clients but has helped me greatly at a personal level.”

“Mandy and Sonia have been a pleasure to work with, they are very well organised and excellent facilitators, this is supported by the following feedback.”

…..great presentation delivered by very knowledgeable people…

Workshop participants

OZHELP Gender and Grief Workshop

Just wanted to pass on a huge thank you for the session last Thursday. It was a great session and really well received by everyone. The feedback was all very positive, talking about how open and receptive you both are and how well presented it was. We love having you come and talk to our volunteers. As I say to everyone, you make grief make sense.
Coordinator

Canberra Volunteer Organisation

Having read about grief in my early teachings many years ago, I thought I was coming to refresh my understanding. I was so amazingly surprised to find new models and lively engagement in the workshop. The workshop stayed with me and I went off to explore more….you provided a good balance between giving information and fostering discussion in the group.
Deb F

Grief Workshop

In October 2014 Canberra Grief Centre delivered a one day workshop on Grief in the Palliative Setting. One of the participants described it as a gema . Another commented on how it was so informative and useful that she was able to go back to work and implement things that she had learnt the very next day. The workshop included group activities, time for discussion, good interaction and allowed for networking. 100% of the participants stated they would recommend it to work colleagues. Sonia and Mandy are great presenters, work so well together and have such a depth of experience and knowledge. It was such a beneficial day to us all given that we work with grief and bereavement every day in the Palliative Setting. Thank you!
RK

ACT PEPA Manager, Canberra

“It was clear, straightforward, challenging and stimulated me to keep learning about this experience”

“Good overview of grieving process and how that translates into experience”

“Great understanding of what grief is and that it is a part of life”

“Everything presented tonight was helpful for me. Thank you!”

Participants from the Grief and Loss Information Session May 2015

The Australian Association of Social Work Practice Group invited Mandy Cox and Sonia Fenwick to present on the topic of Grief and Loss.  It was a great success. Mandy Cox and Sonia Fenwick spoke beautifully and sensitively about the universal experience of death and dying and about how each of us experience grief and loss in our own way. Mandy and Sonia work to support grief and loss associated with death and dying and are open to the spectrum of experiences in the grieving journey. The ACT AASW Branch would like to extend our gratitude to Mandy and Sonia for sharing their knowledge and experiences with us and thank the Canberra Grief Centre for travelling alongside of us in what can often be a very lonely journey

Belinda

AASW Student Representative