Seasons for Growth

What is Seasons for Growth?
The Seasons for Growth program is designed for children, young people and adults to assist them in managing and understanding the effects of significant change, loss and grief in their lives. Using a set of well crafted resources, and a Companion who facilitates small peer groups, the program provides a safe and creative way to explore feelings, memories, loss and grief.

“The program uses the metaphor of the seasons to explain change, loss and grief. It is based on the belief that grief is normal and can be a valuable part of life”. (Lyn Dowling, Co-ordinator of Seasons for Growth in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle)

To find out more about the Seasons for Growth program, visit www.goodgrief.org.au

How does Seasons for Growth Work?
Research indicates that Seasons for Growth is very valuable for both children and adults who are dealing with a current personal loss such as death of a family member, family breakup, unemployment, illness, etc.

Research shows that participants continue to use their learnings from Seasons for Growth as they face subsequent change, loss and grief in their lives. "The most important thing I have learned is that things change whether you want them to or not and you learn more things” (Primary School Participant)

Seasons in Schools
Seasons for Growth was originally written and designed for use in schools. It is based on the reality that children and adolescents need to be provided with the opportunity to examine how grief - as a result of death, separation, divorce or any other significant change or loss - has impacted on their lives.

Seasons for Growth is offered in many State and Catholic schools at appropriate learning levels for students aged between six and eighteen. There are five levels and these accommodate different developmental stages. This means that if they wish to do so, children and young people are able to re-join a Seasons for Growth group as they mature, or as circumstances change. The modules for children and young people consist of:

• Level 01: 6-8 years
• Level 02: 9-10 years
• Level 03: 11-12 years
• Level 04: 13-15 years
• Level 05: 16-18 years

To find out if there is a Seasons for Growth program in your child's school, please contact Lyn Dowling or Benita Tait on (02) 4961 0579.

Seasons for Adults
Following the success of the Young People's Seasons for Growth program, a program for adults was developed and is also proving very popular. The program offers a very flexible approach to working with adults in a variety of contexts, from individual personal loss to group and organisational change. “Seasons for Growth makes sense to everyone's lives – where change and loss occur continually.” (Comment from Adult Participant)

There are a number of different components available to adults, including:

1. an Information session for parents or carers of school aged children participating in the Seasons for Growth Young People's program. It focuses on issues facing young people and what the program offers them;

2. a two-hour information workshop focusing on understanding the nature and impact of change, loss and grief. This is valuable for adults who wish to increase their knowledge of grief, be aware of possible grief reactions and explore ways to attend to grief. This information session is often useful and effective in the workplace;

3. four two-hour small group program focusing on understanding and managing the particular losses experienced by participants. It provides a sound framework and safe learning environment for adults to explore issues in greater depth.

To find out if there is a Seasons for Growth Adult program running in your area, please contact Lyn Dowling or Benita Tait on (02) 4961 0579.

Resources
You don't have to grieve alone, an article by Lyn Dowling and Benita Tait

Disenfranchised Grief In Stepfamilies, an article by Irene Gerrard, Grief Matters The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement.

Read more about supporting families and children after loss. Download (WORD DOCUMENT)

When Meaning Has Lost Its Way: Life and Loss Behind Bars, an article by Lyn Dowling, Seasons For Growth Co-ordinator

Fostering care, connection and belonging through times of change, grief and loss - Conference paper, Family and Community Strengths Conference, University of Newcastle, 18 April 2008.

Books and Other Resources - Recommendations for reading material
April 2007
June 2007
June No 2 2007
September 2007
September No 2 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
May 2008

Contact Us
Seasons for Growth in the Hunter and Manning regions is a joint initiative of the Catholic Schools Office, Catholic Care and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Dates for 2008 Training for new Companions is held regularly, as well as Reconnectors for existing Companions. We also regularly offer Seasons for Adults workshops. A monthly newsletter notifying companions of upcoming dates is available. To join our mailing list, or to find out more about becoming a Companion, running a Seasons program in your school, parish or workplace, or dates for Seasons for Adults workshops contact:

Lyn Dowling (Co-ordinator Seasons for Growth, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle)
Ph: (02) 4961 0579, Fax: (02) 4940 8087
Street Address: Zimmerman House, 58 Gipps St Carrington
Postal Address: PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300
Email: seasonsforgrowth@mn.catholic.org.au

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