The Seasons Programme

Seasons™ programmes provide peer support for children and young people experiencing change, grief and loss.  Age appropriate groups are available for children and young people between 5 and 18 years. In some centres groups are also available for adults.  Seasons™ respects all cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Programmes currently available are
Seasons™ - Loss and Grief

Seasons™ - Life Threatening Illness
Locations
Research: Evaluation of the Impact of the Seasons Programme for Grief and Loss
Seasons™ - Loss and Grief

This programme is for those who are missing an important person from their daily life.
The loss may be due to the death of someone close to them, the separation or divorce of parents, having a family member in prison, or other major family change.
The  cycle of the seasons provides a familiar framework within which the children can explore their experiences of grief .                
                
- the colourful times of AUTUMN, when the wind blows and the leaves are lost . There are as many feelings and emotions as there are coloured leaves on an autumn tree.


                 
 - the quiet still grey times of WINTER when there is less activity, more time to feel and reflect on what has happened. The winter tree is bare of leaves and shows it shape, as we do when we share our experiences with others in the group.


                 
 - the changes and new growth of SPRING, a time to look at how things used to be and how they are now, to consider new possibilities. 



                 
- the activity and enjoyment of SUMMER, when in the natural cycle of things, there is more energy and movement, while for vulnerable times there is shade and shelter under the leafy trees, and from the support of the people and resources around us.

Specifically the 10 sessions of the Seasons programme cover -
1.                                               Belonging to a Seasons group
2.                Autumn                  Feelings
3.                Autumn                  Feelings are OK
4 and 5.     Winter                    My Story
6.                Spring                    Memories
7.                Spring        .           Changes
8.                Summer                 Managing the Loss
9.                Summer                 Moving On
10.                                              Celebration

During these activity based sessions the children are engaged in exploring the natural and ever changing seasons of grief to which they can relate their own experiences, becoming better resourced for the situations in which they find themselves, both currently and in the future.

Seasons™ - Life Threatening Illness  

This short 4 session programme, available in some centres, is for young people affected by having a family member who is seriously ill.
The four sessions of the Life Threatening Illness programme cover
1.    The Impact of the Illness
2.    Feelings
3.    Caring for Ourselves
4.    Hope

Seasons™ is offered by Anglican parishes and agencies, under the national auspices of the Waiapu Anglican Social Services Trust Board.
Local committees, Coordinators and trained volunteer Companions provide Seasons™ in their community, with the support of a National Coordinator.
Seasons™ has been offered in New Zealand since 1997.
Currently over 1000 children and young people attend Seasons™ programmes each year.

Locations

Seasons™ programmes are provided by Growing Through Grief services in
Tauranga / Mount Maunganui / Papamoa
Te Puke
Rotorua
Taupo / Turangi
Napier / Hastings
Waipawa / Waipukurau / Takapau
Dannevirke / Weber / Woodville
Gisborne
Opotiki
Whakatane / Kawerau



Seasons™ programmes are also available in
Auckland
Taranaki
Waikato
Wairarapa
Dunedin

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