Compassion: Margot McAllister has been helping people deal with their grief since losing her son and grandchild.
‘YOU need not walk alone’ is the message The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is hoping to get across during National Awareness Week from June 10-16.
TCF Mandurah public relations manager Margot McAllister said they were hoping to raise awareness of the organisation and the services they offer.
“There are so many people out there who don’t know we’re out there and what we do,” Ms McAllister said.
“But every time we have a display someone who needs us finds us.”
She said those at TCF were trained professionals but also have the experience of losing a loved one.
“I know how terrible it is to lose a child and a grandchild and to need effective help,” she said.
“A loss of a child is not an event you expect and when your child or grandchild dies you grieve forever.
“We appreciate that everyone grieves differently and we provide a range of services because of this.”
Services are free and include regular support groups, telephone contacts, special events for days such as Christmas, literature, a resource library and a quarterly newsletter.
Ms McAllister said members also provide education to the community, working closely with the police force, schools, shire council, funeral directors, and health and youth agencies.
National Awareness Day is on June 15 and marks the date the first support group was held by TCF in Australia back in 1979 in Victoria.
During the week there will be displays at local libraries including Mandurah, Falcon and Safety Bay.
There will also be displays at local shopping centres, including Centro Halls Head and Silver Sands Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 16.
For more information call 9535 7761, email tcfmandurah@bigpond.com or go to tcfmandurah@bravehost.com