Steps for Support helps grieving residents find comfort in walking together

Erin Mills and Melissa McManus, registered social workers at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, encourage members of the community who are grieving to join them on the hospice's Tuesday morning walks. 

A weekly walking group in Stratford is giving people a gentle way to cope with grief, offering fresh air, peer support and connection through Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.

Registered social workers Melissa McManus and Erin Mills of Rotary Hospice encouraged community members to join them and trained volunteers for Steps for Support, a weekly Tuesday morning bereavement walk that allows grieving individuals who have lost a loved one to share a sense of relatability and comfort. 

 “The good thing about this is that it’s a very informal group so people can come if they are feeling heavy that day or they can come feeling really good,” said Mills. 

“There is something so nice standing side by side walking, the silences are more comfortable, and people are more able to share. People are outside and they are getting fresh air and there is exercise which is very beneficial for everyone. A lot of grieving people have trouble sleeping so getting that fresh air really helps them out.” 

McManus said the program is especially important to run through the winter, when the season can feel more isolating. Last year, the group walked around the Rotary Complex’s arena, but this year they plan to use Upper Queen’s Park. To keep it flexible, she added, a coffee component may be included on bad-weather days, with the option to move the walks indoors

McManus said people can sometimes feel socially uncomfortable around someone who is grieving, but the walking group helps remove that barrier. 

Participants share a similar experience and understand what others are going through, creating a sense of safety where loved ones can be spoken about without discomfort.

“There is a structure to the walk, we welcome and introduce everybody. We also want people to know that it’s okay to have slower days and it’s okay to not always be progressing,” said McManus. “We start as a group and sometimes people pair off, we have trained volunteers that are there to help facilitate when facilitation is wanted or needed. They help guide the group; we do training for the volunteers for any discussions they might encounter on the walk.”

Mills offers six free counselling sessions to those who are grieving or those are caring for their loved one who has a terminal illness. Rotary Hospice schedules quarterly webinars as well as bereavement groups. Everything is free and open to everybody in the community. 

“I think more bereavement services have been needed for a long time, we have been lacking those in the community,” said Mills. “I would say that Steps for Support is filling this need. This is more of a laid-back approach especially good for someone who isn’t sure if they’re about to talk about what they’re going through.” 

Those interested in Steps for Support can register through 519-508-4900 ext. 740 or email at sw@rotaryhopsice.ca.