Alexandra resident and bereaved parent Jan Pessione said she was asked 38 years ago to set up Central Otago Compassionate Friends by a couple who had lost a child.
"They had been helped when they went to Australia — to be able to stay with other grieving parents and let their guard down and be able to be themselves — and so that’s why they came over and asked me if I would start it up here at that time."
However, with the advent of the internet and more professional help being offered, fewer people were attending the Compassionate Friends meetings and they were now without anyone willing to stand as chairperson.
Group treasurer Richard McKenzie, who had held the role since the group’s inception, said a decision to wind up the group would be made at a special meeting on November 25, unless someone indicated by November 1 they would be willing to take on the role.
Requests from parents for support had diminished over the years.
Many younger people preferred to access help and groups online. Doctors could prescribe sessions with counsellors or psychologists for bereaved parents, which did not happen decades ago.
"It may have run its course."
At the annual meeting, Dr McKenzie, in his early 70s, was one of the younger people in the room, he said.
It was important anyone willing to take on the role was "in the club" and had lost a child.
About 100 on the Friends mailing list received regular newsletters and that would continue regardless of whether the group survived. Members of the group would still be willing to help anyone and they could be contacted through Alexandra Community House.
The group had never gone looking for members.
- Anyone wanting to help can contact Mrs Pessione at janpessione@xtra.co.nz by tomorrow.
