In 2007 ten-year-old Nicholas Lambden was out playing at St. George Park when he was hit by a puck. One day later he died. A freak, tragic accident that had a lasting impact on his mother Sue and sister, Madison who was 13 at the time.
But 11 years later, Sue Lambden co-founded The Nightingale Centre. “While I was grieving his death, my friends rallied round to support me, but for Madison as a teenager, it was very different.”
The Nightingale Centre offers support to children, teens and adults in dealing with their grief. Connecting with others who are experiencing loss, helps children and teens realize they are not alone and gives them the opportunity to express their feelings in a safe environment.
Since it started, the organization has offered 2,145 groups, with 966 people participating in the programs. One-on-one grief counselling is also now available for people who are not quite ready for a group experience.
The Centre has three part time staff, and have 87 volunteers who donate their time. Often graduates from their programs want to pay it forward and facilitate groups, and group facilitation training is offered.
Death is not a topic that most people are comfortable talking about, and for young adults, 19-30, it is really hard. Recognizing their challenge, The Nightingale Centre launched the Grief in Common project, through which they brought young adults together for dinner and conversation.
“Several participants in our Grief in Common project had lost both parents in a short period of time, shared Sue, “having to not only to deal with their grief, but all the necessary work in dealing with their deaths.” Tough stuff for anyone.
The Centre relies on donations and the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium was pleased to help support the Grief in Common project.
The Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium have been valued partners in Tour de Guelph since its beginning. The Rotary Clubs share of the proceeds are distributed to a variety of not- for- profit organizations in our area. They can support maternal and child health, poverty initiatives, programs fighting food insecurity as well as youth development, family support and community building.