Palliative and Bereavement Support - Abbotsford

Child Services, End of Life Care / Palliative Care, Mental Health - Adult & Senior, Mental Health - Child & Youth, and Youth Services

Provided by Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society (AHGSS)

AHS supports Adults, Parents, children and teens who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Offers one-to-one counselling and group support to help individuals grieving a significant loss such as the death of a friend or family member. The program includes grief support companions, crisis support for community groups, events and workshops, and a variety of support groups.

Children Grief Support Group:
  • One-to-One Companioning: This program offers both anticipatory grief support and grief support services for ages 3-18. Programs are offered to comfort children and youth on their personal journey of grief and loss. Services offered include 8 sessions of one-to-one companioning where they can explore different aspects of play and art therapy. Children and youth have opportunities to explore their grief feelings and develop coping strategies. Topics are covered relating to naming and regulating emotions, and when needed, resources are provided to caregivers in order to support children at home.

  • Grief Support Events for Children, Youth and Families: Following eight weeks one-to-one sessions, current clients and their families may be invited to engage in group activities that can be found here.

Youth Grief Support Groups and Training:
  • Middle School Grief Support Group: The Middle School Grief Support Group is designed to teach and support middle school students about grief and their journey; to bring awareness to their thoughts and feelings; to reassure them that grief is normal and complicated. The benefit of school-centered support groups is that they can decrease a student's isolation, offer peer support, and help connect students to school resources.

  • Teen Grief Peer Support Training: Teen Grief Peer Support Training is a 20-hour training program that has been tailored to provide grade 11 and 12 students with a basic introduction to grief; loss; and practical hands-on skills, knowledge, and strategies to provide peer support to grieving children and teens. Following the training, students are equipped to volunteer in some capacity at Abbotsford Hospice Society. The training and volunteer opportunities may be used to satisfy the Career Exploration component of the Career Life Connections course. Please connect with your school counsellor at the beginning of the school year if you wish to join this training.

Adult Grief & Loss Support:
  • Grief Support One-to-One Companions: Companioning is about listening with the heart, bearing witness to the struggles of others, and walking alongside. A Grief Support Companion is a caring, trained AHGSS volunteer who will give you uninterrupted time in a safe, non-judgmental environment to talk about your loved one and how their death is affecting you. AHGSS offers eight grief support companion sessions, free of charge.

  • Facilities Visitation: AHGSS volunteers provide bereavement support for individuals in hospital or long-term care facilities.

  • Community Crisis Support: AHGSS staff can assist community groups by providing group or individual support in times of crisis related to a death.

  • Grief Support Groups: Grief support groups are offered to give you a place to share your grief story in the company of others who 'get it'. Please note: it is recommended that you wait three months from the death of a loved one before joining a grief support group.
Referral Instructions: Referrals are accepted from parents, schools, doctors, and Child and Youth Mental Health Services. For more information, please refer to contact info below.

604-852-2456 (Children/Youth Support)

Public email: info@abbotsfordhospice.org

Website: https://www.abbotsfordhospice.org...

32780 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2S 1J7

604-852-2456 (Palliative and Training Director) ext. 419

Public email: Sfehr@abbotsfordhospice.org

Website: https://www.abbotsfordhospice.org...

Referral options:

  • Physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Health professional referral
  • Child and Youth Mental Health Services referrals
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society (AHGSS):

Availability

Service area: Abbotsford + show cities

Service area cities: Abbotsford

Service Types Provided
Child Services
End of Life Care / Palliative Care
Mental Health - Adult & Senior
Mental Health - Child & Youth
Youth Services
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided in a group in-person

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