Bereaved families program wants more participants

SYDNEY — The Healing Through Movement and Music program is looking for more participants for their next session, due to start Wednesday.

This year’s session can take as many as 40 participants but so far, only 14 have signed up.

“The first time, it went over really well,” said Christine MacLeodVint, program co-ordinator for Bereaved Families of Cape Breton, referring to the first time the program ran last year.

“When we proposed to do the program again this year, we did it in mind we’d be able to have 30 to 40 women. So this year we were going to double the numbers and extend the period — feedback from the ladies was that they were just getting into it and it was over. So we added two more weeks to the program.”

The program is funded through the Central Cape Breton Community Health Board and is for women of any age who have lost somebody close to them. It will be held over 10 weeks, with some weeks featuring two sessions for a total of 12 sessions. Each session will focus on a topic such as swimming, walking, yoga, drumming and aromatherapy, with time for deep-breathing exercises and a chance to discuss any feelings that may arise from the exercises.

“It’s gentle and restorative-type movements so even somebody who isn’t physically fit can do the program,” said MacLeod-Vint.

Kathy MacKillop and Nina MacDonald will co-lead this program with other volunteers from the community. Most sessions will take place at the Cape Breton School for the Arts, 95 Sunnydale Dr., Sydney. Sessions will be held between 12:30-2:30 p.m. To register or for more information, contact Bereaved Families of Cape Breton at 564-6795 or email infobf@seaside.ns.ca