Helping others rebuild their lives after bereavement

AFTER being widowed in 2017, Ballarat woman Carolyn Gower found there were very few support services for widowed people.

Then, in 2020, she found First Light Widowed Association and attended a three-day event Camp Widow.

“I found it really helped,” said Ms Gower.

“It was the first one held in Australia although there had been others in the US and it was good to talk to others who had been through similar experiences.

“From there I decided to train as a grief counsellor and spoke at a First Light Widowed Association workshop last year.”

The not-for-profit First Light Widowed Association was founded by young, widowed people, for young, widowed people.

The association provides information, resources and community connection to young, widowed people, helps them rebuild their lives and find new hope following the death of their partner.

“This year I was selected as the keynote speaker at the First Light Widowed Association Luncheon held in Melbourne earlier in March,” said Ms Gower.

“There were approximately 100 people attending.

“The support luncheon and other events provide an opportunity for young, widowed people to connect with others and get advice on resources.

“Community plays a big part in helping people who have been widowed. Finding someone who has shared a similar experience, someone you can call or text, go out to lunch or a movie with makes a big difference.

“Your feelings are validated, and you feel much better.”

Ms Gower suffered another setback two years ago when she contracted a serious flesh-eating disease and spent one month in a coma.

“My family was told I might not make it and if I did I might have a brain injury and not be able to talk,” she said.

“Now after two years of rehabilitation I’m doing well.

“My family, three adult children and four grandchildren played a big part in getting me through.”

Ms Gower will be speaking again at a First Light Luncheon in Perth on 1 April.

“From that First Light will assess if there is interest in the support service and extend the luncheons to other states if they can get sponsorship and funding.

“It is hard to get donations, but it is a very worthy cause that helps a lot of people.”

Visit firstlight.org.au.