Marriage and funeral celebrants are invited to share food for the body and the soul, as we hear from Te Omanga Hospice CE Biddy Harford, CANZ’s own Andi Harness, and grief counsellor, Marg Alver.

This event is designed for anyone who is interested in the relationship between a community hospice and celebrants, and the ways in which we can support each other to make it easier for people with a life-limiting illness.

Key outcomes include:

To better understand the role of Hospice NZ and Te Omanga Hospice in our local community;
To explore when hospice may draw on celebrants, for weddings, funerals or other significant ceremonies;
To look at the nature and impacts of grief, and how to support those who are grieving (including self-care);
To see how celebrants can promote the role of hospice with friends, family and our wider networks.

Nutritious and delicious soup will be available from 5:00pm and presentations start at 5:30pm. You may wish to leave work a bit earlier, to beat traffic and get to Te Omanga in time for kai.

Biddy will give us an insight into Te Omanga, its history and its future, while Andi will share her story of marrying a couple in a bittersweet ceremony. Seasoned counsellor, Marg Alvers, will discuss the grieving process, and reinforce the value of keeping ourselves safe, when the work we do can become distressing or triggering.

Te Omanga Hospice is a purpose-built facility, set in idyllic grounds in Lower Hutt. As well as boasting generous rooms, state of the art technology, beautiful grounds, and a small library, the hospice is the central point for those who work on-site and in the community – people with extensive training, real-life experience and real soul.

Professional Development Requirements

CANZ also has a professional development framework, and this visit is likely to satisfy the following component from the Body of Knowledge (BOK):

BOK 3: Professional Engagement

Proactively seek and participate in new opportunities to improve knowledge, understanding and skills and participation in the wider community.

Participate in Celebrants Aotearoa Professional Development opportunities.
Engage with other networks and training opportunities.
Engage in professional learning to improve practice.

Come as you are: The room is light and warm, but layered clothing is always a good idea.

Bring a Coffee-Tea Keep Cup and a Soup Mug or Bowl: To be eco-friendly, please bring your own cup and a soup mug/bowl (you can rinse these in the small kitchenette).

Notebook & Pen (optional): You may also like to bring a notebook and pen, although e-copies of presentations will be sent out post-event.

Parking: Some onsite parking depending on the number of patients in hospice at the time; plenty of street parking available on Woburn Road.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Your 'Celebrants Aotearoa' Wellington-Wairarapa Branch Committee