First local widowed catch ups for regional Victoria
Our stories: Jo and Daniel
April 2, 2017
One year on
December 19, 2017
First Light is excited to announce our first regional Victoria local catch ups for widowed people have been scheduled for Ararat and Ballarat in the coming weeks.
One of the charities key programs to support widowed people in Australia, the regional local catch ups connect men and women who have lost a spouse or partner to others who share this experience – bringing our community together in hope.
First Light president Rebecca Collins said attendance at local catch up events, for many, marked a brave first step towards connecting with other widowed people and hopefully lead them towards finding much needed camaraderie, friendship and understanding.
“Since launching this program earlier this year, First Light has hosted catch ups in Brisbane and Cairns, so we’re very excited to branch out to regional Victoria,” Mrs Collins said.
“Our Local Catch Ups coordinator Amy Groth is also working hard with local widowed volunteers to schedule further catch ups in the coming months, with our next location likely to be in Canberra.
“Our local catch ups are all hosted by widowed people who have volunteered their time to First Light and understand how nerve-wracking it can be to branch out of your comfort zone and meet new people, particularly when you’re grieving. Our volunteers work hard to ensure these informal, non-structured events are a safe and supportive experience held in easily-accessible public places, where our members can share and speak openly.”
The Ararat local catch up will be held on Thursday, 15 June at 11am while the Ballarat local catch up will be held at 5pm on Wednesday, 21 June.
For more information on time and location, please contact us to register.
8 Comments
Is this organisation for widow’s under 44?
Hi Michelle,
Yes we welcome widowed people of all ages, including those under 44. Please feel welcomed to join as a member here – https://www.firstlight.org.au/connect-with-us/join-our-community-become-a-member/become-a-community-member/ or visit out online forum for widowed people here – https://www.firstlight.org.au/connect-with-us/join-our-forum-for-widowed-people/
Regards,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, just wondering if this is aimed mainly for younger widows, I’ve met a few ladies who ,like me moved to Ballarat to be closer to their grand children and lost their husbands not long after moving here , and all of a sudden find themselves alone without friends close by
Thank you
Sonya
Hi Sonya,
Thank you for your email. We welcome widowed men and women of all ages. While our management committee can be considered ‘young widows’, we’ve found that different elements of grief can carry across all ages and many of our members are in the older age bracket but still consider themselves ‘young at heart’. We would love to welcome you and your friends to our Ballarat catch up .
Regards,
Rebecca
Hello, just wondering if you have any groups running in the West Gippsland, or south eastern area?
Hi Tracey, We currently don’t have any groups in this area but are always looking to start new groups. If you’d be interested in connecting with widowed people in your area, we’d love to chat to you more about this. Please contact us at [email protected],au for more information. Thank you, Rebecca
Hello Rebecca ,
I have just listened to a ABC interview on the radio with much interest about your group.
I’m just wondering is First Light only for young
Widows ?
I am 55 and have put all my energy over
the past 9 years into raising my 3 children .
Now , my last child has finished school , & started work and It’s my time ….. but I’m lost .
Michelle .
Hi Michelle, thank you for reaching out. I’m so sorry for your loss. First Light’s program’s are aimed at young widows and widowers aged up to 55 at the time of they were widowed, so you’re welcome to join us. For more information about our programs you can register for a membership here https://www.firstlight.org.au/connect-with-us/join-our-community-become-a-member/become-a-community-member/