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)

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 us on (02) 4979 1355.

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. A 1/2 hour Information Session "Introducing Seasons for Growth" for staff, 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 three hour Grief and Loss Presentation "Understanding and Managing Change, Loss and Grief". The session introduces information about the nature of loss, possible grief reactions, causes that impact on grief and ways to attend to grief. This component takes an introductory approach. This presentation is often useful and effective in the workplace. Click here for workshop dates;

3. A two day small group program "Exploring the Seasons of Grief" 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. Click here for program information.

Resources

Articles

Assisting grieving children, an article by Irene Dixon - August 2011 edition of Aurora, posted on Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle website

Breaking Isolation and Bringing Hope, an article by Benita Tait

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

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.

Summary: Carers Mental Health Project - Seasons for Growth Program Evaluation

Booklist and Websites
Click here for useful books and websites for adults and children on topics including death, family, relationships, disabilities, change, suicide and other life changing events.

Contacts
Click here for useful contacts and websites for individuals and families on topics including death, family, relationships, disabilities, change, suicide and other life changing events.

Previous Newsletters
Autumn 2011
Winter 2010
Autumn 2010
Summer 2010

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

Benita Tait (Co-ordinator, Seasons for Growth, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle)
Ph: (02) 4979 1355, Fax: (02) 4969 2035
Street Address: Catherine McAuley Building, Rear 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302
Postal Address: PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300
Email: seasonsforgrowth@mn.catholic.org.au

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