Client and Family Companion Visits
Our Client and Family Companion Visits are at the heart of what we do. Trained volunteers spend time with clients at home, in hospitals, extended care, or residential care, offering regular visits that provide support and a non-judgmental listening ear. We respond to calls for help from distressed families and also offer one-on-one companioning where clients are matched with volunteers for ongoing visits. Activities range from playing card games to reading, always led by the client’s needs and preferences.
Bereavement Support
Grieving is a natural response to the loss of someone important, often causing intense emotional and physical pain. Our bereavement support services help individuals navigate this challenging process. We offer a 12-week Bereavement Support program facilitated by trained volunteers. This program is designed by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who is one of North America’s leading death educators, authors and grief counselors. The goal of this program is to provide participants with the tools to support a healthy grieving process.
Phone Support
Our Phone Support Services provide one-on-one companioning for individuals in need of support. Our volunteers provide empathetic listening and emotional support, acting as a bridge until clients can join a structured support program. This service is especially vital for clients in rural areas, ensuring continuous care regardless of location.
Walk & Talk Program
Our Walk & Talk Program is for bereaved individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences. Participants enjoy fresh air, mild exercise, and socialization in a supportive environment. This program provides an opportunity for check-in with individuals who have completed the 12-week Bereavement Support program.
Vigil Service
Our Vigil Service provides compassionate support by sitting with the dying, ensuring they are not alone during their final hours. This service offers families much-needed respite, allowing them to rest, take a walk, or attend to other personal needs. By simply being there, our volunteers help create a peaceful and supportive environment for both the dying person and their loved ones, providing solace during this profoundly emotional time.
Advanced Care Planning
Our volunteers in Cranbrook and Kimberley provide public sessions on planning for end-of-life medical needs. These sessions, open to everyone, focus on helping you get the care that is right for you, even when you are unable to speak for yourself. Join us for our next session!
Death Café:
The Death Café is an informal gathering where people come together to discuss death openly over tea, coffee, and goodies. This program aims to reduce the stigma around death and promote open, honest conversations. By taking the taboo out of talking about death, we hope to make it a more comfortable topic for everyone.