What is the aim of this workshop?
To create a space for people to share their feelings about the festive season and ideas for planning ahead, (both for the coming weeks and for special occasions such as Christmas and Hanukkah) and supporting ourselves through our grief at this time of year.
 

We hope that people will leave the workshop:
- Feeling supported to share with and listen to peers,

- Feeling less alone or isolated in their grief, and their worries about the festive period,
- Feeling heard, validated, and confident in the knowledge that there is no right or wrong way to navigate grief or engage in the festive season.
- Feeling able to take away new ideas for supporting ourselves and making space for our grief at this time of year.

What will happen in the workshop?
The online workshop will be facilitated by Cally, a member of the Compassionate Sheffield team, she’ll welcome everyone and share an introduction and a group agreement for creating a supportive and respectful space, before facilitating an open discussion among all attendees.

There’ll be no pressure to talk and people are invited to share only as much or as little as they feel able to and comfortable with. There’ll be gentle prompts and questions for people to respond to and reflect on if they’d like to. We'll talk about why this time of year can feel especially hard when we are grieving or have been bereaved.
We’ll share ideas about how we can plan ahead, and how we can look after and support ourselves through this time, both in the lead up to, and on specific days such as Christmas day.
We’ll also share ideas about different ways we can acknowledge our grief and loss during this time, and include or stay connected with our loved ones who have died.
Everyone will be welcome to share their thoughts, feelings, experiences and worries as well as ideas for supporting ourselves, planning ahead and staying connected to our loved ones.

What will be expected of me if I join the workshop?
You’ll be welcome to take part as much or as little as you like, we know it isn’t always easy to talk about our feelings among people we don’t know yet. You’re welcome to simply listen or to share your own thoughts, worries, reflections, advice and ideas. You’ll also be expected to follow a basic group agreement, to ensure everyone feels as safe and welcome as possible in the workshop. This includes, respecting other people’s beliefs and thoughts, being non-judgemental, maintaining confidentiality, using respectful and kind language, listening generously and being mindful of our speaking time. If you feel that you may be unable to follow a group agreement like this, this workshop might not be right for you. Ultimately, together we will aim to create a space that feels safe and supportive for everyone, to take part as much as they feel able to.
There’ll be no pressure to talk, and you’re welcome to leave at any point if you need to.

 

Facilitated by: Cally Bowman (She/Her) from the Compassionate Sheffield Team. Cally is a qualified therapeutic counsellor with experience delivering peer bereavement support groups and facilitating conversations around grief, mental health and loss.

 

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