BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., is broadening its grief and spiritual support to include issues of loss and transition related to the COVID-19 crisis by offering a support group.
“The pandemic has brought with it alterations in our circumstances that were unimaginable just months ago,” organizers explained in a news release. “How is 'COVID time' affecting you and those you love? Have there been losses? How are you managing? Would you like some help?”
This new group will be co-facilitated by Muriel Wolf, BAH's spiritual companion, and Rick Willhite, a BAH volunteer with a professional background in spiritual care and social work.
Wolf and Willhite will offer opportunities to learn simple, non-religious spiritual practices as well as practical tools that have helped many find their way through times of difficulty and change.
The group will offer journaling, shared reflection and conversation about our experiences, with leaders emphasizing attentive listening, compassion, and mutual trust - “all of proven value in difficult times,” the organizers point out.
The group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., beginning on Sept. 8 via the Zoom platform. Those who need help using Zoom should ask when registering.
The group will meet for eight sessions, the first of which you can attend with no obligation to continue. After this point, Wolf and Willhite will ask that you stay for the remaining time together.
This is not a drop-in group; registration is required. Membership is limited to eight participants.
For registration or more information, email [email protected], or call the office at 802-257-0775 and ask for Hilary at ext. 105.
Participation is free and open to anyone in the community. Support groups offer a safe, mutually supportive environment for sharing experiences. No prior connection with hospice is necessary in order to participate.