bereavement groups

Each year two bereavement groups start, staggered by age. Children from about 5 - 9 years form one group and the approx. 10 - 14 year olds form the second group. A group run lasts 10 months with a maximum of 12 participants. We meet once a month. Each meeting follows a fixed schedule. A certain aspect of grief is always highlighted. We start a conversation about impulse questions, after which everyone can use creative methods to express their experiences. After working together, we all sit down to eat at the table - this also takes care of the physical well-being. This strengthens the community in a completely different way.

We also experience that the children listen with curiosity and interest to how dying, death and grief can be dealt with in other cultures. In the final round, it is also mentioned from time to time that it was difficult to talk about a certain topic and at the same time to see how good it is to be able to exchange ideas with like-minded people: I am not alone. With us, everything can be named without being judged. It is also allowed to remain silent. We look back at what we have experienced, talk about memories, come to the present when exchanging thoughts and feelings and look at our own resources. This strengthens the personality and creates trust in life so that the future can also be successful.

The realization: Getting help and not having to do everything alone can become a great resource for many of the people we support