Back in 2020, Levin's Reverend Sandra Williams had a vision for helping everyone - adults, young people and children - whose lives are impacted by change, loss and grief. She wanted them to know "they do not need to walk that journey alone and that the impact of their grief need not stop them living full lives and becoming the best they can be," she says.

She found a suitable programme - Seasons for Growth. It's described as "a robust educational programme from Australia, helping people of all ages to process experiences of trauma, loss and grief."

Cardinal John Dew holds the licence for its delivery in New Zealand where it has been running successfully for over 20 years. It works on the peer support principal and reflects St Mary MacKillop's call: "Never see a need without trying to do something about it".

The archdiocese also provided Trainer/Coordinator Katrin Eickhorst to facilitate the programme for Williams.

She is responsible for making the Seasons for Growth available in the archdiocesan area (which includes Levin) and training those delivering the programme (companions).

All companions are police-checked and endorsed by an agency, such as a school or parish.

Williams is among those who have trained as a companion. She operates as regional coordinator where companions work with 12 primary and secondary schools.

"Requests for companion training typically come from Social Workers and Learning Support Co-ordinators (LSCs), specially qualified educators for students with specific learning needs," she says.

"Local whanau suffer significant loss through COVID, family breakups, redundancy, substance abuse, violence, death and suicide. Self-harm is increasing amongst students.

"LSCs see Seasons for Growth as a valuable tool against increasing anxiety. The safe setting allows students to learn that change is normal, and sharing their stories increases trust. They "make better choices, develop empathy and emotional regulation. Their parents and whanau appreciate the outcomes".

About the programme:

Initially developed for children and young people, Seasons for Growth has now been adapted for adults as well.

"It is based on the principal of peer support and delivered by trained facilitators (companions) in small groups of four to eight participants. The Children and Young People's programme is usually implemented in schools over eight weekly sessions," says Eickhorst.

People working with young people are positive about the programme, especially now: "… under the circumstances, ie having just had the lockdown and knowing some of our students at college, the need for this programme will be even more urgent".

Anecdotal evidence suggests everyone's benefiting already.

Children' comments include: "it was awesome, it really helps me" (age 10); "there is always someone there for you" (age 10); "it can help you with a lot of worries" (age 9).

Parents appreciate the "safe environment for my child" to process their experience.

Adult participants appreciate the safe peer group setting for sharing their experiences and discovering their own resources in navigating the grief process.

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The programme - Seasons for Growth - aims to help emotionally and socially grieving children aged 6 to 18.

These young people are dealing with major life changes such as death, divorce and significant losses.

Using the metaphor of seasonal change, the programme teaches them to explore the impact change and loss is having on their lives and learn new techniques to deal with these changes.

The programme works with small groups of children in eight one-hour sessions.

Each child gets a journal to complete throughout the experience.

"Young people learn that they are not alone in dealing with the effect of change, loss and grief," Seasons for Growth says.

"They build their communication, decision-making and problem solving skills within a supportive peer group."

Many New Zealand agencies, including Catholic Social Services, offers Seasons for Growth programmes.

Volunteers say they get a lot out of contributing.

Called "companions," volunteers are trained adults who facilitate the small group programme.

In these, "participants support each other in age appropriate and engaging activities," Seasons for Growth says.

One volunteer wanted to "give back" after experiencing grief within her own life.

"I love being there when the children come in," she says. "Sometimes they even ask to come back during the holidays!"

Another says the grief and loss programme teaches children fundamental skills.

These include resilience and self-reflection.

"I've seen many positive transformations in the children during their time with us," he says.

Yet another volunteer says she thought the programme would use a good combination of her teaching skills.

"One child complained a lot the first two sessions," she says. "In the third one, they'd zoomed in - so happy to take part."

It's like being strangers on a train, she says.

"We are companions to the children on this particular journey. Then we part ways."

Candice Thum, who is the area coordinator in Auckland's Flat Bush area, says accompanying children is "very rewarding."

It's not for everyone though.

There is a selection process. During this, potential volunteers are vetted and must attend a weekend training session.

As Season's for Growth demand from local schools in Flat Bush is increasing, they are especially looking for volunteers within and close to that area.

"Volunteers can give as little or as much as they have," Thum says.

She's "continually humbled by the skills and compassion of our volunteers," she says.

Source

• Times online