President's Report

Meets every Thursday 10am to Noon at The Peachland Wellness Centre

A quiet and confidential place to meet with other people who are looking for ways to cope with the pain of their loss.  No registration is required, just come by the PWC or call 250 767 0141 for more information.

The History of our Group:

The Bereavement Support Group was founded seven years ago at the Peachland Wellness Centre.  As is often the magic that occurs at the centre, it started with a phone call to Linda Tyreman, our facility manager and heart and soul of the centre. A friend of Linda’s called on a Sunday to say their neighbour had recently lost her husband and asked if there was anything at the centre to help her cope with her grief. Linda immediately contacted two current PWC board members who had recently lost their own spouses and by the following Thursday the Bereavement Support Group was formed. Since then the program has run every Thursday morning and we have not had to cancel in seven years.

 One of our dedicated Wellness Centre volunteers, Gail Abernathy has been involved with the group for the past six years. Gail’s background is as an RN, with a psychiatric specialty, and participated with the “Hope Group”, a support group for cancer patients and their families in Vancouver. This experience has helped make her comfortable helping others cope with their grief. She says her participation with the group has enriched her life in more ways than she could imagine, and she finds it very rewarding and fulfilling.

 Gail explained that people come to the group looking for ways to cope with their pain and adjust to the new circumstances they are now faced with. Often the surviving spouse was very dependant and now has to deal with the reality of being on their own. Isolation can become their new reality and the bereavement group facilitators and participants help each other and can become an extended family. They help each other in times of crisis, and then go on to share some of the joy that happens when that veil of grief begins to lift. They often celebrate special occasions, birthdays and each others successes.

 The group meets at our little house called the Peachland Wellness Centre. Inside you will find the warm and inviting “Tranquil Room”. The room more than lives up to its name and it feels like you’ve come home to your own family where everyone has their favourite chair. Julie Mearns, another dedicated centre volunteer, is usually on hand to make sure everyone has coffee, tea and maybe even a cookie. Of course a large box of tissues is always on the coffee table.

 Mavis Richardson, a retired psychiatric nurse has also been a dedicated volunteer facilitator for many years and Sandy Hills, a newly elected board member and retired school principal is now a cornerstone of the group. Other group facilitators who have recently come on board are Vicki Warner (coordinator), Margaret Ancill and Ross Freake. We find that everyone has something to contribute and everyone is welcome.

 People come to the group on their own terms, and participate on their own terms. They come to deal with their loss, and stay because of the bonds they forge with these new friends. Although there are programs in Kelowna, Penticton and Westbank, they are often only available at certain times of the year. As we all know life doesn’t always happen on schedule, so our group meets every Thursday morning throughout the year right here in our community.

 Another project that evolved from the group was the development of an “End of Life” package. Our volunteers worked with two practicum nursing students to put together resource material for a workshop we hosted that included a lawyer, a nutritionist, local clergy and other experts in this field.

 If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend and would like more information about the Bereavement Group or the “End of Life” resource package, please call 250-767-0141.