The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. (TCFV)

TCFV OPEN DAY 2025 Mark your calendars for a special day of warmth and connection, exploring the heart of our supportive community. WHEN: Friday 7 FEBRUARY 2025 3.00pm – 7.00pm and SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2025 11.00AM – 3.00PM WHERE: TCFV Centre, 229 Canterbury Road, Canterbury. Our doors will be wide open, with our dedicated TCFV Board, Staff and Volunteers there to welcome you to experience the friendship and compassion of our organisation. RSVP: Wednesday 29 January 2025 at the link below ... https://lnkd.in/gxcrRAE8 #openday #griefsupport #peersupport #friendship #compassion

🌟 Join Our Team as a Sibling Coordinator! 🌟 The Compassionate Friends Victoria (TCFV) is a peer support, not-for-profit organisation supporting families grieving the loss of a child, sibling, or grandchild. We're looking for a Sibling Coordinator to dedicate 1 day per week to empowering, engaging and supporting bereaved siblings. In this role, you'll: ✨ Build connections and provide tailored support for bereaved siblings. ✨ Manage sibling-focused social media to foster community. ✨ Organise meaningful events and activities. ✨ Mentor sibling volunteers as peer supporters. We’re seeking a compassionate individual who’s a bereaved sibling themselves, with a passion for making a difference. Key skills: Interpersonal and Emotional Skills, Empathy and Compassion Emotional Resilience with an ability to manage conversations around grief while maintaining professional boundaries. Organisational Skills: Coordinating workshops and wellbeing activities. Time Management, Attention to Detail Communication Skills, Creating engaging and supportive content for sibling-focused platforms. Public Speaking: Representing TCFV at events and speaking to diverse audiences. Written Communication: Preparing reports, updates, and professional correspondence. Volunteer Support and Leadership Mentorship: Supporting sibling volunteers and fostering their development. Team Collaboration, Adaptability, Integrity Motivation: Self-driven and passionate about making a difference. Why Join Us? 🌟 Flexible, 1-day-a-week role with a supportive team. 🌟 Opportunity to create real impact in a meaningful way. Employment Type: 1 day per week (7.5 hours), 1-year contract with potential for renewal Award Classification: SCHADS Award Level 3.2 Location: The Compassionate Friends Victoria (TCFV), 229 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 📧 Apply by 17th January 2024: Send your CV and cover letter to AlexH@tcfv.org.au

TCFV Christmas & New Year Operating Hours As you navigate this Christmas season, we wish you moments of peace, the comfort of cherished memories, and the strength to find some joy in the midst of sorrow. May the love you shared with your loved one continue to illuminate your heart and bring some comfort to you during this Christmas season. Wishing everyone much love and peace this Christmas Season From all the staff, board & volunteers at TCFV #grief #griefsupport #bereavement #bereaevedparents #bereavedsiblings #bereavedgrandparents #peersupport

Experienced Public Speaker for your next Event or Function Inspiring Resilience Through Storytelling and Advocacy Our CEO, Alex Hamilton brings over a decade of experience working with bereaved families in the not-for-profit sector, with expertise in business strategy, relationship building, marketing, fundraising, and sponsorship. Originally from the UK, Alex began her career as an actress, performing to audiences through storytelling on stage. Little did she know that her most profound and impactful stories would arise from her own life. In 2011, Alex became a mother to her first child, River, whose tragic passing at just four months old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) profoundly reshaped her world. Through unimaginable heartbreak, Alex found a deep calling to transform her grief into purpose. She has since become a powerful advocate for resilience, compassion, and connection, sharing her story to inspire and support others. Alex has spoken to diverse audiences, including health professionals, first responders, emergency department staff, corporate and community groups, offering insights into navigating grief, trauma, and the profound strength found within vulnerability. Her speaking engagements blend her personal journey with actionable insights, making her a sought-after presenter for businesses and organisations. Whether addressing corporate teams, healthcare professionals, or community groups, Alex motivates audiences to embrace resilience, reframe challenges, and harness the power of passion to create meaningful change. Now a proud mother to two “rainbow” children, Shiloh and Bodhi, Alex channels her lived experience into empowering others. Her talks are not just about overcoming loss but about finding hope, purpose, and strength to make a positive impact in the world. Alex’s authentic, heartfelt approach resonates with audiences across industries. By booking her for your next event, you’ll leave inspired, empowered, and reminded that even in the face of adversity, passion and connection can fuel meaningful growth and transformation. We do not charge for this service but donations are welcome, to make a booking please email JaneM@tcfv.org.au #speaker #resilience #mc #guestspeaker #tcfv

Worldwide Candle Lighting Service Sunday, 8 December 2024 Join us for the Worldwide Candle Lighting Service, in partnership with White Lady and Le Pine Funerals. This is a heartfelt annual event bringing people together across the globe to honor and remember beloved children, siblings, and grandchildren. This special evening is open to all, with the option to attend in person or via Zoom. What to Expect: The evening will include poems, readings, and a guest speaker, leading up to the collective candle lighting at 7:00 pm. We’ll read the names of loved ones, share a slideshow of photos, and end with supper, offering time for connection, comfort, and shared memories. Want to Include Your Loved One? If you’d like your loved one’s photo in the slideshow, please submit a photo when you register. RSVP Required: To help us plan, please RSVP by 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 4 December. Come, light a candle, and be part of a compassionate circle that remembers, honors, and celebrates the lives of those we love. Please register here ... https://lnkd.in/gJAB86mb #griefsupport #bereavedparents #bereavedsiblings #bereavedgrandparents #peersupport #candlelightingservice

Hope Bereavement Care and The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. invite you to join us for the 2024 Annual Remembering Service, for bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings and their loved ones to come together to remember those we have lost too soon. We invite you to bring along photos, teddies, - anything that is a symbol of the babies , children and young people you are remembering. These can be displayed to create a special atmosphere. On arriving you will be invited to write the name of the babies, children and young people whom you are remembering. These will be read out during the candle lighting. During the evening, children attending are invited to create a decoration to hang on the trees at the front of the hall. You are welcome to take this decoration home after the service. At the completion of the service a light supper will be served. We ask you to please bring along a plate to share. Please RSVP by 30th November here: https://evt.to/eeoomhudw Anyone is welcome to read a poem, speak or suggest music in honour of the child they remembering. If you are interested, please contact hope@bereavement.org.au by 27th November for inclusion in the program. #RememberingService #GriefSupport #BereavedParents #BereavedSiblings #BereavedGrandparents #YouNeedNotWalkAlone

Mental Aid First Aid Training Yesterday (Tuesday 12 Nov), two TCFV staff members, Andrew & Jane and seven dedicated volunteers, including a few of our phone responders and group leaders, took part in a comprehensive Mental Health First Aid training. The course involved around 7 hours of e-learning, followed by a 4-hour in-person session. To complete their certification, they will each take an online quiz soon! A huge thank you to Melissa Hardy from - www.wellbeingcampus.com.au - for delivering this vital and relevant training. We're committed to ensuring our team is equipped to support our community with compassion and care. #mentalhealth #griefsupport #mentalhealthtraining #youneednotwalkalone

A beautiful video from Christy Roberts who attended the recent Grief Retreat held at The Centre for Care and Wellbeing in Springvale. It was a beautiful weekend of friendship, compassion and connection as well as a time to learn, relax and practice self-care all in the beautiful botanical gardens at The Centre for Care and Wellbeing. https://lnkd.in/grs2SY3Q #griefsupport #retreat #thecompassionatefriends #thecentreforcareandwellbeing #friendship #connections #compassion

Navigating Unexpected Grief Triggers Grief can surprise us when we least expect it. Sometimes, we anticipate certain dates like anniversaries, birthdays, or special days like Mother’s or Father’s Day, knowing they will be challenging. But other times, grief can sneak up on us—a familiar song playing in a shop, passing a restaurant that holds memories, or noticing a favorite item on a supermarket shelf. These moments can feel overwhelming, and it's okay to feel caught off guard. Here are some gentle ways to cope when those unexpected waves of grief hit: 1. Pause & Breathe: Allow yourself to take a moment, breathe deeply, and ground yourself. A few deep breaths can help bring you back to the present. 2. Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel whatever emotions come up—sadness, anger, joy, or nostalgia. Don’t judge yourself for feeling them; just let them be. 3. Reach Out: Share your feelings with a trusted friend or a supportive community. Sometimes, simply talking about it can ease the intensity. 4. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Remember that it’s normal to have moments of sadness and grief. 5. Create a Ritual: If a trigger brings up a particular memory, consider lighting a candle, saying a quiet word of remembrance, or writing a note to your loved one. 6. Find What Comforts You: A warm cup of tea, listening to a calming song, a walk in nature—whatever brings you comfort, allow yourself that space. Remember, grief doesn’t have a timeline, and triggers are a natural part of the journey. You are not alone, and it’s okay to give yourself the grace you need to move through these moments. Sending love and strength to all those navigating unexpected grief triggers. Art by Evgeny Solodkiy #GriefSupport #YouAreNotAlone #BereavementJourney #GriefTriggers #CompassionAndKindness #TheCompassionateFriends

Grief Support for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents -TCFV can help - Reach out to us today - You Need Not Walk Alone - Note that there is no charge for support #griefsupport #youneednotwalkalone