First Light is excited to announce that we are taking our in-person support and wellbeing events on the road in 2025. We will be hosting our first two Widowed Support Luncheons in Melbourne on the 6th of March and Perth on the 1st of April.
First Light CEO Rebecca Adams said the unique events were created to offer validation and improve mental wellbeing, resilience and community connection among one of Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
“Over the past four years, First Light has hosted four weekend-long Camp Widow conferences for widowed people in Brisbane. These were hugely successful in providing community connection, motivational speakers and informed resources and workshops for those who are trying to navigate life after the death of their spouse or partner,” Rebecca said.
“Our Widowed Support Luncheons were created to offer similar elements, after ongoing feedback from our community that they’d love to see more opportunities for support and connection offered in other locations around Australia.
“As a national charity, we are really excited to be able to take our in-person events on the road and reach people who have been unable to join us in the past due to financial or logistical reasons.”
“Through our work, we have seen evidence that widowed people who feel supported and understood while grieving, are more likely to: resume work duties sooner; are better equipped to care for their immediate family members; and need less ongoing assistance from external resources.”
The First Light Widowed Support Luncheons will bring widowed people together in a positive atmosphere to:
- hear from experienced speakers
- grow their peer support network through community-building opportunities, helping to overcome feelings of isolation, loneliness and hopelessness
- access informed resources and a take-home information pack
- discuss grief in a safe and supportive environment where the focus is not on ‘death’, but on rebuilding a life after loss
- validate the widowed experience and encourage attendees to take the first steps forward with their grief and rebuild healthy, successful and fulfilling lives.
Rebecca said Melbourne and Perth were chosen as the first two locations for Widowed Support Luncheons, due to their diverse geographical locations. First Light hopes to expand on this program if further funding and support could be secured.
“The ticket cost of these events will be heavily subsided by our fundraising efforts, as we know that financial distress is one of the key challenges faced by widowed support,” Rebecca said.
“However this would not be possible without donations, corporate sponsorships and grants, so any assistance with funding is always needed in order to provide this essential support.”
The First Light Widowed Support Luncheons are unique events for anyone who has lost a life partner regardless of gender, age, religious background, sexual orientation, relationship status.
The events are hosted by widowed people, for widowed people – the organisers, facilitators, speakers and volunteers are all widowed themselves.
For more information about our First Light Widowed Support Luncheons, and to purchase your ticket, visit the event page.
