The Sunrise Program aims to offer support to people who have lost someone and feel they have also “lost” themselves, which can be particularly relevant following an extended period of time as a carer, but who are ready to lift some of the weight of grief and re-discover their true selves again.

The Sunrise Program

  • delivers 1:1 sessions with a certified trauma therapist prior to and, where appropriate, following group work
  • encourages those who have become socially isolated through grief to either reignite their passion for an old hobby or discover a new interest and also, where appropriate, to forge new links in the community, perhaps via a voluntary organisation.
  • introduces a range of therapy modalities, including breath, sound and body work, to encourage processing of emotions in a unique and individual way
  • enables participants to work individually and privately, but as part of a friendly community
  • offers the option of joining an online (Whatsapp) group only for the members of their particular program both for the duration of their program and beyond
  • provides the opportunity for a social gathering in the months following the end of the program
  • gathers feedback from participants to ensure continual development and improvement of the service

The pilot program was delivered through WHIST (Women’s Health in South Tyneside) and received positive feedback from both staff and participants, who particularly highlighted the effectiveness of the 1:1 Havening session prior to the workshops, as well as the introduction of new activities, meeting new people and also discovering the services WHIST have to offer.

Program Aims


The aims of the Sunrise Program include:

  • The delivery of a fully-funded, 6-week program targeting socially isolated and bereaved individuals through a local organisation which specialises in supporting such individuals.
  • To support bereaved and potentially isolated members of the community through the development of online support networks and in-person workshops, thereby enhancing social connections
  • To enable bereaved members of the community to feel better emotionally through 1:1 Havening Technique TM therapy
  • To give support to reduce unwanted behaviours or habits which have arisen as a direct result of the bereavement or caring process
  • To encourage the development of an action plan which enables steps to be taken to revive a hobby, interest or “bucket-list” activity
  • To encourage bereaved and possibly isolated members of the community to forge links with a suitable voluntary organisation in South Tyneside, if appropriate.

Program Structure

Week 1

Each participant to receive 1 x 2-hour bereavement-focused therapy session, primarily utilising Havening Technique TM working towards lifting some of the “weight” of grief. All participants will be taught self-havening and provided with a guide to self-havening. Participants will be encouraged to continue self-havening work at home utilising the “distraction” method and will have access to personalised support from a certified Havening Techniques practitioner for the duration of the program.

Week 2

1 x 2hr group “looking forward” session, to include e.g. 30-45 min Kundalini Yoga session plus exercises / guided visualisations focusing on transforming unwanted habits / beliefs. Goal setting for week 3 to include addressing an unwanted behaviour / belief (if appropriate) plus revitalising a previous hobby or interest.

Week 3

Utilising the online group to support steps taken to achieve the goal(s) set in week 2. Extra resources will be provided here, such as audio recordings of guided visualisations used for participants to download and use in their own time.

Week 4

1 x 2hr group “moving forward” session, to include e.g. 30-45 min Sound Healing session plus exercises / guided visualisations focusing on goal setting based upon the experiences of the previous few weeks to continue bringing a previous hobby / interest into their lives.

Week 5

Utilising the online group to support steps taken to achieve the goal(s) set in week 4. Extra resources will be provided here, such as audio recordings of guided visualisations used for participants to download and use in their own time.

Week 6

1 x 2-hour group “taking action” session, to include e.g. 30min Qigong session plus representatives (or information provided) from local voluntary organisations suggesting ways in which participants could become more involved in the local community, if appropriate. Exercises / guided visualisations to continue shaping goals for the near future.

Week 15


1 x social meet-up to discuss progress, including (if appropriate) any involvement with local organisations. The online support group will remain available throughout.

For more information about the program, or to discuss how the Sunrise program may be of benefit to your organisation, please use the contact form below.

We will aim to respond within 48 hours.

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