Grief Support Services

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Grief Support Services

We provide subsidised counselling and information for everyone experiencing grief and loss within the Western Bay of Plenty.

We believe in communities where no one has to cry alone. Grief Support Services is a local agency that has been working in the community since 1987. We support vulnerable individuals and families/whanau by encouraging their understanding of themselves and each other so they may manage the turmoil of grief and loss, adjust to huge changes and attain their aspirations for their quality of life. Grief is not only a response to bereavement but can occur following any loss or unwelcome change such as the break-up of a relationship or marriage, fractured family relationships, financial loss, redundancy, injury or illness of self or of a friend/family member. We work against isolation by supporting involvement in activities with other support services and organisations; encouraging communication and relationships between clients and friends/family. Grief counselling can lessen the risk of depression and suicidal ideation. As people grow their support systems and tools of resilience they are less likely to turn to drugs, alcohol, self-harm or other unhelpful tools to cope. There is a flow on effect from counselling as our clients become more resilient and capable of functioning in their families, community and workplace. Grief Support Services offers:

• Up to six funded sessions for individuals and/or family/whanau counselling (in some cases a further six sessions may be possible).

• Child counselling with a Counsellor specialising in working with children.

• Counselling for parents of children younger than 6 to support them to optimise the child’s development and wellbeing as they adjust to loss.

• Presentations to community groups, health professionals and health support agencies about managing the effects of grief and the work of our service.

• Services to people bereaved by su***de and/or effected by someone’s suicidal behaviour. This part of our service is funded by the DHB.

• Continued provision of training and placement for student Counsellors.

• A warm, welcoming and confidential service with a range of information resources and links or referrals to other support services and agencies.

18/09/2026

There is a place for you this Sunday.

If you have lost someone to su***de, you are warmly invited to join us for our Remembrance Picnic at The Elms.

Come with whānau, a friend or support person. Bring a blanket or chair, something to eat, and a photo or special item if you would like to add it to our remembrance area.

Stay for the afternoon or just a little while. Talk, listen, remember, share a laugh, sit quietly — there is no expectation to do anything other than come as you are.

📅 Sunday 20 September 2026
🕛 Midday–3pm
📍 The Elms | Te Papa | Tauranga
🎟️ Free community event

For more information or questions, contact Lloyd at Grief Support Services: [email protected]

17/09/2026

Meet our guest speaker, Kirsten O'Connor.

Author and This Is Grief founder Kirsten O'Connor will join us at the Remembrance Picnic
to share some of her own experience of life following the death of her daughter, Kahlia,
by su***de.

Kirsten will speak honestly about some of the questions that can follow a su***de loss:
Why did this happen? Could I have done more? How long will this hurt?

Drawing on lived experience and her work writing about grief, Kirsten offers a
compassionate perspective on learning to live alongside questions that may never have
simple answers - and carrying forward the love that remains.

Join us for an afternoon of remembrance and connection, with kai, live music and gentle
activities also available.

Sunday 20 September 2026
Midday-3pm
The Elms | Te Papa | Tauranga
Free community event

For more information or questions, contact Lloyd at Grief Support Services:
[email protected]

12/09/2026

You don't have to tell your story.

You don't have to explain what happened, how you're feeling, or find the right words.

The Remembrance Picnic is simply a place to come together with others who understand the experience of losing someone to su***de.

Come as you are. Bring a blanket or chair, sit in the beautiful grounds of The Elms, enjoy some kai and music, join in with one of the gentle activities, or simply be. Sometimes, simply being present is enough.

Sunday 20 September 2026
Midday-3pm
The Elms | Te Papa | Tauranga
Free community event

For more information or questions, contact Lloyd at Grief Support Services:
[email protected]

06/09/2026

Some of our supporters have chosen to make their commitment to Grief Support Services last beyond their lifetime, by pledging a gift in their will. Legends!

If this type of giving is something youʼd consider, weʼve partnered with so it doesnʼt have to cost you a cent today.

Through EveryWill, you can write your will for free and 100% of any gift you pledge goes directly to the charity you name. No fees, no cuts, just a life-changing commitment for the cause you care about.

https://wills.everywill.co.nz/c/grief-support

04/09/2026

Grief doesn’t have a timeline. 💚

Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, the love, memories, and connection to the person you lost remain part of your life.

On Sunday 20 September, Grief Support Services is holding a Remembrance Picnic for those affected and bereaved by su***de — a gentle afternoon to remember the people we love and spend time alongside others who understand.

There is no pressure to talk or share. Come as you are, stay for as long or as little as you like.

📅 Sunday 20 September 2026
🕛 Midday–3pm
📍 The Elms | Te Papa | Tauranga
🎟️ Free community event
For more information or any questions, please contact Lloyd at Grief Support Services: [email protected].

18/08/2026

E mihi ana to Pub Charity Limited, Mount Social Club and Renners Club for their incredibly generous funding grant, supporting our broadband, power, supervision costs and administrator wages! This will help us so much across so many aspects of our mahi, and will ease our load as we help our community navigate their way through grief.

We say this every time, but we mean it when we say that each grant, funding or donation that we receive makes the world of difference. In supporting us, you help us support those grieving in the WBOP, and we can't thank you enough for doing so!

Thank you so much Pub Charity, Mount Social Bar and Renners Club, you're all so amazing 🧡💚

16/08/2026

Ngā mihi nui to Acorn Foundation - encouraging giving for the Western BOP and the Joan Chappell-Mathias Fund and Althorp Village Fund for your incredibly generous grant that is going towards our operating expenses.

We are so grateful for any donations, grants and help in covering our expenses, so we can spend more of our time funneling support and help back into our community. Grants like this are the reason behind why we can do the things that we do!

Thank you so much Acorn Foundation, you're superstars ✨✨

15/08/2026

Our next Grief Support Group with Elliotts Funeral Services is happening on Wednesday 9th September, and we'd love to see you there! September's support group will focus on dealing with guilt while you're grieving, something that so many of us are familiar with.

While guilt is common and totally normal, it can add extra weight to the grieving process, and we'd love to explore this with you if you feel like this is something that you need or would benefit from.

RSVP to Elliotts by Sunday the 6th of September at (7) 578 3338 or [email protected] 🩷

02/07/2026

Ngā mihi nui for your incredibly generous grant! This grant will be going towards our rent, rent opex, HR system and IT protection; all of which are incredibly important to help us maintain our systems, giving us space to help those in our community that need it most!

We are so appreciative of any help, grants and donations that we receive, as it all goes back into our community and helps people journey through their grief. Thank you One Foundation!

04/06/2026

Next Wednesday, we're hosting our next Grief Support Group with Elliotts Funeral Services. We're focusing on Mapping Your Grief Journey, what that can look like for you and how it might be able to help you take control of your grief.
If this is something that you feel will be beneficial for you and your journey, come along! We'd love to see you!

Make sure you RSVP by Sunday to secure your spot today. We hope to see you there 💚🩷

Address

147 Chadwick Road
Tauranga
3142

Telephone

07 578 4480

Website

http://www.griefsupport.org.nz/

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