The Comox Valley Hospice Society has expanded their group programs to invite community into conversation and to enhance wellness.
Similar to the Death Cafés (candid conversations about death – over cake) which the society has hosted for more than a year, Wellness Wednesdays are free community offerings that include the Mourning Café and The Elephant in the Room Café (Palliative Conversations).
An opportunity for any community member to join others in a safe, casual space for conversation, you do not need to be a hospice society client to participate, you need only to be open, curious and receptive to the sharing of others.
The Comox Valley Hospice Society also encourages caregivers and those impacted by the end-of-life journey to take loving care of themselves.
Healing sessions accompany conversations
Each Wednesday, in addition to the conversation cafés, Reiki or Healing Touch appointments are available free of charge, with registration required. Laughing Yoga is also offered on a rotating basis.
“These healing sessions are a gift to the community from some of our compassionate CVHS volunteers who are also practitioners of the complementary therapies,” says society Executive Director Christine Colbert.
Wellness Wednesdays are facilitated by trained CVHS volunteers and supported by staff but are guided by those attending. Come once or come each week, the choice is yours.
The Comox Valley Hospice Society works in partnership with individuals and businesses to keep its programs thriving and evolving. Grants from Coastal Community Credit Union and the Comox Valley Community Foundation kick-started some of these new offerings, and donations, fundraising events and the generosity of volunteer time and skills ensure that conversations and compassion keeps flowing in the community.
Space for the programs is offered by Golden Life Management at Ocean Front Village where CVHS offices are located alongside the Aitken Community Hospice at 2900 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay.
For more information, call Comox Valley Hospice Society reception at
And while you’re there, check out the many ways you can donate to support the work. Got an old car, van, truck, boat, trailer or RV collecting moss and mice? You can have it picked up at no cost to you by Donate a Car Canada with the proceeds going to the CVHS. Go to comoxhospice.com/donate-a-car to learn more.