At The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth and Families, transformative journeys unfold as individuals like Ruby Lyons and Annie Hammond channel their personal experiences of grief into powerful roles of support and guidance.
Both Lyons and Hammond, having navigated the tumultuous waters of loss at a young age, found solace and a calling within the comforting environment of the Centre. Their stories, emblematic of the profound impact bereavement programs can have, illustrate a shift from solitude in grief to leadership in healing.
As facilitators, they now extend a compassionate hand to others, fostering a community that turns grief into shared resilience and growth, proving that within a supportive network, the journey through grief can lead to newfound strength and purpose.
Ruby Lyons: transforming grief into guidance at The Nightingale Centre
Ruby Lyons, once a participant in the youth bereavement program, now serves as a facilitator. Lyons, whose journey through grief began with a deep personal loss in 2022, shared her transformative experience and the profound impact the program has had on her life and others.
"I first came to know about The Nightingale Centre through a recommendation from a nurse at Hospice Wellington after my dad passed," Lyons recounted.
Initially hesitant, it wasn't until her university years at the University of Guelph that she sought the support she desperately needed.
"It took some time to realize that running from my grief wasn't helping. I needed support," she admitted.
Lyons highlighted the community aspect of the program as its most crucial element. "It's not just the activities or discussions, but the community of facilitators and families that truly define the experience," Lyons explained.
She described the environment at The Nightingale as one where everyone is welcomed and supported, making it a unique haven for those navigating the isolating path of grief.
"Meeting others who were also grieving helped normalize my feelings. It was revelatory to learn that grief didn't have to be a solitary journey," Lyons said.
This realization motivated her to return to the Centre as a volunteer and eventually as a facilitator, eager to give back to the community that had given her so much.
"Our main goal is to ensure that every participant feels safe and welcomed. We establish norms that foster a non-judgmental and supportive environment," she said.
Through activities designed to encourage open discussion about grief, participants find the space to share and heal at their own pace.
Reflecting on her experience supporting other youths, Lyons shared, "It has been the most impactful experience of my life. Watching the participants form connections and open up over our 8-week sessions is incredibly rewarding."
Lyons is a staunch advocate for the importance of bereavement programs. "Programs like those at The Nightingale Centre can truly change lives. Grief is profoundly lonely, and finding a community can be a powerful antidote to that loneliness," she emphasized.
Through her work and dedication, Ruby Lyons continues to foster a space of understanding and growth at The Nightingale Centre, proving that even in the darkest times, a supportive community can light the way forward.
From grieving teen to inspirational facilitator: Annie Hammond's journey
In the spring of 2019, a grieving teenager named Annie Hammond found solace and community at The Nightingale Centre, a pivotal place in her journey through loss.
"After my dad died, my mum was searching high and low for a bereavement program suitable for teens. Thankfully, a grief counsellor named Andrea Warnick recommended The Nightingale Centre to us," Hammond recalls.
Hammond vividly describes how the program helped her accept her father's death and cope with the ensuing grief.
"The connections I've made at The Nightingale Centre have been invaluable. Even now, six years later, I can text my buddies from the program when I feel lonely," she shares.
One particular activity called the worry web, stands out to Hammond. "We would pass around a ball of yarn in a circle, sharing our worries and discussing solutions. It was powerful to see I wasn't alone in my anxieties," she explains.
The support from facilitators, all of whom had experienced personal losses, played a crucial role in Hammond's healing process.
"Grieving people are really the true experts in grief. Our facilitators lived through their own losses, and seeing them cope and thrive gave me hope," she states.
A recent session highlighted the program's impact on Hammond. "We have a 'tell your story' night where we share our real stories of loss. I broke down in tears for the first time in years; it was such a profound release," she recounts.
Motivated by her positive experiences, Hammond returned to The Nightingale Centre as a facilitator.
"I saw the difference my facilitators made in my life, and I wanted to offer the same support to others. It's incredibly fulfilling to see participants feel less alone because of our sessions," she explains.
As a facilitator, Hammond emphasizes creating a safe and welcoming environment.
"We plan activities that not only address grief but also self-care and emotions. It's crucial to establish trust and make the youth feel included from the start," she notes. "I strive to be the best facilitator I can be, continually improving and adapting our activities to better serve our participants.”
"The Nightingale Centre provides a safe, supportive space without barriers. It doesn't get better, but it does get easier, and having the right support makes all the difference."
Annie Hammond's journey from a participant grieving her father to a facilitator making a significant impact shows the transformative power of community and empathy in the healing process.