Grief & Bereavement Support

Support For Adults - Drop In Groups

Please note registration is mandatory to ensure each group is the right fit for you. Please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

All programs are offered at no cost and no previous affiliation with the hospice is required. One-to-one counselling is available (in person if it is safe to do so, or by phone or virtual program).

Walking Through Grief

Join certified herbalists Taylor Jeffery for a monthly hike at Lowville Park. We will explore this accessible trail which is part of the Bruce Trail by foot, learning about plants growing naturally around us. As we hike, there will be opportunity to share details about your own losses, learn about the season of grief and how this is naturally reflected in the world around us. You will have the chance to connect with the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice Supportive Care Team, but also with each other in peer to peer conversation. We are excited to offer this program, knowing the deep healing that can come from being in nature together. This hike is designed for any adult who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

This group will only run if we can safely gather in person, pending COVID-19 restrictions determined by Public Health.

Walking Through Grief will be held on the following dates from 9:30am – 11:30am

September 25^th
October 16^th
November 6^th

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

When Grief Comes to Work: A Frontline Worker Support Group

Do you need a place where you can feel cared for, express anger safely, be heard and validated? This group is for you.

Facilitated by:

Ashley Mikitzel MSW, RSW

Manager of Bereavement and Supportive Care, Bob Kemp Hospice

Michelle Cassidy BA, MA

Mental Health Healthy Workplace Coordinator, Hamilton Health Sciences

Date/Times:

There are two group times to best meet the needs of frontline workers. We ask individuals to please RSVP to one of two time slots each month.

Offered at both 12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

October 6^th

November 3^rd

December 1^st

(group will resume in January date TBD)Come once, or as often as you like.

This group will be offered virtually only.

To pre-register and RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext.2206 or email Jessica Milette at support@kemphospice.org

To pre-register and RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

Across the Wires: A podcast Club About Grief

Across the Wires is our virtual version of a book club. Instead of reading a book together, each week we will be listening to a different podcast that relates to the week’s theme. On Thursday afternoons we will come together to share about our listening experiences, and how these stories may connect with our own. The group space is a confidential setting, where participation in the discussion is voluntary.

Held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:30pm. Our Fall Dates for Across the Wires is as follows:

September 21
October 5
October 19
November 2
November 16
December 7

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

Connecting Over Coffee

Join us the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month for Connecting Over Coffee, a new virtual-based drop-in group! Individuals grieving a loss of a loved one can come together in a more relaxed setting for conversation and support alongside others who are grieving. Connecting over Coffee is facilitated by trained Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice volunteers.

Held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:30pm. Our Fall Dates for Connecting Over Coffee is as follows:

September 14
September 28
October 12
October 26
November 9
November 23
December 14

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

More than Words: A Music Therapy Grief Support Group

When we experience the death of a loved one, we may grieve in ways that words alone cannot describe. This program offers opportunities for grievers to share, listen, and tell their stories in a supportive environment, using the emotional and creative qualities of music-listening and music-making experiences. Group members will be given time and space to explore/express different themes pertaining to navigating grief through a combination of verbal discussion and musically-based activities. Music will be used to help participants identify and express their own responses to loss, to connect with others who are also grieving, and to learn and develop additional coping skills and music resources that can be used for continued support through the grieving process.

This group will be held in person or virtually dependent on Public Health Guidelines at the time of the group offering.

Participants can register for as many or as few sessions of our music therapy-based drop in group.

Dates and times TBD – to pre-register and RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

Navigating Our Journey: A Serious Illness Loss Support Group

Loving and losing someone to a serious illness is a unique experience. Sometimes we may also be playing the role of caregiver while still being partners, siblings, children, friends, and parents to our loved one. The uniqueness of our grief, before, during, and after the loss of a loved one, can feel as if your whole world has stopped while the rest of the world continues to turn. Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice invites you to take part in our 8-week group designed for those who have experienced the death of a loved one through a serious illness.. This 8-week group is facilitated by trained hospice volunteers.

This group will be held in person or virtually dependent on Public Health Guidelines at the time of the group offering.

This group will meet Thursday Afternoons from 4:00-6:00pm on the following dates:

October 7
October 14
October 21
October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18
November 25

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

First Steps, First Bonds: A Parental Loss Support Group

Each loss is as unique as your relationship with your loved one. The bond between parent and child is one of the first we experience in our life, and at times may be one of our first significant grief experiences in our lives. Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice invites those who experienced the death of a parent or elder to please join us for a 8-week support group facilitated by trained hospice volunteers.

This group will be held in person or virtually dependent on Public Health Guidelines at the time of the group offering.

This group will meet Thursday Evenings from 6:00-8:00pm on the following dates:

September 23
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette

Spousal Loss Support Group

The loss of a spouse and/or partner can be one of life’s greatest challenges. Our spousal loss support group provides an opportunity to connect with other bereaved individuals in a safe and supportive environment. This group welcomes anyone who has experienced the death of their partner and is facilitated by trained hospice volunteers.

This group will be held in person or virtually dependent on Public Health Guidelines at the time of the group offering.

This group will meet Thursday Evenings from 1:00-3:00pm on the following dates:

September 23
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18

To RSVP please call 905-387-2448 ext. 2206 or email Jessica Milette