Bereavement support groups

"I felt the group was fantastic for me. It was very hard, but it was great to be with people who were feeling the same things I was feeling."

Support groups are a way of bringing people together in a safe space to share common life experiences. They provide a forum for participants to communicate in a mutual understanding of shared challenges and problems. The strength of groups lies in their shared narratives or stories and the ability to provide empathy, rather than sympathy, as a support.

Who are these groups for?
These groups are for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one, whether that loved one be a child, a young person, parent, sibling, a close relative, friend, neighbour, or work colleague. ACGB offer groups for different ages, and therefore cater to meet the varying needs of adults, children and young people. There is also a group for people who have lost pets as companions.

When and where do the groups meet?
The groups are held in various locations in and around metropolitan Melbourne, and regional Victoria. There are also many groups being held in fire affected parts of Victoria. Daytime and evening groups are available.

What is the format of the groups?
Groups can be either open, ongoing groups (where new participants can join at any time), or they can take the form of a closed group, in which the group runs for a set number of weeks with the same participants present every week.

Groups will usually consist of up to 12 people who meet together regularly to talk over their experiences. An experienced facilitator will be present to assist the group. The groups are non-religious and non-denominational. By continuing to meet and get to know each other, a group of people are often able to assist each other, making the journey easier and less isolating.

If you are interested in hearing more about support groups and how they may assist you, please contact the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement on (03) 9265 2100 or email support@grief.org.au

New Group in 2013
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement will be commencing a Therapeutic Bereavement Support Group in 2013. This group will be a closed group of 8-10 sessions, held fortnightly until it finishes. This group is for anyone who has experienced the loss of loved one. For further information about this group, click here to download the flyer.

Further Information