“Everyone has a life story worth sharing” says Wendy Margetts, a retired social worker and facilitator of the upcoming Finding the Wisdom in our Stories sessions at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
Reflecting on experiences and gaining new insight into both your past and current life is what Finding the Wisdom in Our Stories is all about. Each session in the four-week series includes prompts, conversation starters and games that will help participants make meaning from their history. Wendy adds, “I’m just the facilitator – these sessions are participant-led and it’s really up to the group to help shape how we work, both individually and together.”
Sessions like this are also known as a life review group, a collaborative process that allows seniors to share stories, validate their personal histories, and find renewed purpose in their later years. Participants in similar sessions often remark on the lasting effects of groups like this. “People always say the loveliest things after, and there are so many positive outcomes for members of the group – from a chance to process grief or regret, increasing memory recall to just having an opportunity to socialize. All of these are important for older adults, and it’s great to have a place to offer free sessions like this,” says Wendy.
Life review sessions can also have a positive impact on mental health for participants. The opportunity to reflect in a group can help participants remember joyful moments, gain a better understanding of the journey of their life in addition to combatting loneliness. Wendy adds that participants spend a lot of time talking about mental health. “For older generations, we didn’t always know how to have those conversations. But it’s becoming so much more common to talk about it, and I think that is a good thing,” Wendy adds.
Finding the Wisdom in our Stories runs on June 10, 17, 24, and July 8. The group is free, but pre-registration is required, and you can sign up here. Please note that space is limited to 10 participants to ensure a small, supportive environment where everyone can participate meaningfully. To find out about other sessions, visit the Yakimovich Wellness Centre webpage.