Free grief group forming in May

By Elizabeth Richards

Starting in May, retired CNA/Hospice Aide Rhonda Forbes will hold a free, informal community grief support group to help people who have experienced the loss of a loved one make connections and form lasting supportive friendships. 

“I don’t have much family myself, so I understand loneliness,” said Forbes. She recently lost two family members, unrelated to COVID, and joined an agency sponsored grief group via Zoom. When those meetings ended, many of the participants wanted to stay in touch, finding comfort and healing in sharing their grief with others who understood.

Through her work in hospice care, Forbes said, she’s been around many families who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

“There’s a certain loneliness that comes when you lose a loved one. A lot of times people don’t feel that they can talk about it, because people don’t want to hear it. I just want them to have a safe environment where they feel they can express their grief,” she said.

The group will be an informal place where people can strike up new friendships and start a new chapter in their lives, Forbes said. “Their life has changed greatly as a result of losing their loved one.”

The group will meet at Mountainside Community Church at 8 Mountain Road in Falmouth. The church has offered free meeting space for this group; Forbes will be the volunteer facilitator.

“It’s a pilot project. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I just keep bumping into people who have lost somebody,” Forbes said. “It seems like I’m supposed to do this.”

The first meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 15. From there, Forbes will talk with participants to see what the best time for members would be. Meetings will be held every two weeks for three months.

The first meeting will feature Donna Hugh, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as the guest speaker.

Forbes said her goal is to help people by offering a place to share their grief and potentially meet new friends with common interests.

“In my opinion, technology will never replace a warm smile or a friendly hello, especially in a time of grief,” said Forbes on her meeting flier. “The isolation of the pandemic taught many of us the value of friendship.”

Pre-registration is required to help with planning and assure appropriate seating is available for the meeting.

The space will accommodate up to 30 participants, Forbes said.

To pre-register, call 207-310-0576 or those interested in attending can register online at www.mountainsidecc.org/grief. <