Brisbane’s first Bereavement Walking Group, run through St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane, recently marked its first anniversary, catching the attention of ABC Radio Brisbane.
Group leader Silvano Basso, along with St Vincent’s counsellor Anna Young, shared the inspiring story behind the group with ABC listeners. Breakfast show host Loretta Ryan joined the walk and took part in a live radio interview on the new Kangaroo Point Bridge.
Silvano, who sought support from St Vincent’s palliative care counselling service before and after the loss of his wife Annie to cancer in 2023, started the walking group as a way to help others who are grieving. Like Silvano, all participants in the group have been referred through St Vincent’s palliative care services following the loss of a loved one who was cared for by either the hospital or home-based palliative care team.
“It’s a learning experience for all of us in understanding where the walking group fits in the grieving process and how each person copes with their loss,” says Silvano. “Every day brings different emotional and psychological elements, and we support each other through that journey.”
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane is now working to expand the initiative, with plans to partner with other palliative care providers across Brisbane and southeast Queensland to create a network of walking groups to benefit the wider community.
To learn more about the Bereavement Walking Group and hear the ABC Radio interview, click here
