Grief and loss, which can come about through the passing of a loved one or through divorce, family breakdown, mental illness or disability or even unemployment, affects many in our community.

“All too often people experience grief without any support and our seminar aims to create effective community networks and strategies to help people in a time of real need,” Linda Gilroy, Manager of RichmondPRA Ulladulla said. 

The free community seminar “Understanding Change, Loss and Grief”, will be held in the Ulladulla Civic Centre on Monday, May 23 between 1pm and 4pm and is the prelude to a two-day cross agency training session. 

Both are run as a cooperative initiative between RichmondPRA, Grand Pacific Health and Good Grief NSW.

“Trained Grief and Loss Companions will facilitate the three hour interactive seminar with a deeper understanding of the impacts of loss and grief,” Ms Gilroy said.

“Everyone is invited to attend the community seminar, which utilizes the Seasons of Growth program.

“Seasons of Growth uses the metaphor of seasonal purpose and change to assist people to rebuild their lives.”

The two-day grief and loss training, on May 24 and 25, aims at building capacity and skills within the local community agencies to respond to people experiencing grief and loss.

The training prepares participants as Grief and Loss Companions who can run support groups or support individuals in a non-clinical way to help them deal with the changes associated with loss and grief.

For information about the seminar and training, or for attendance, contact Sue Lenton on 02 44551310 or Suzanne.Lenton@richmondpra.org.au

RichmondPRA is a not-for-profit organisation providing recovery focussed support programs, accommodation and hope for people with mental health issues in New South Wales and Queensland.

Advocating community-based assistance, it is a leading mental health support provider that has been in operation for more than 55 years.