In Central Otago we work independently following the principles of The Compassionate Friends Inc. We gather together to support each other every two months where we either have a speaker, watch a DVD on aspects of grief, share our experience of grief or chat informally.

Personal support is given by phone calls, email communication and home visits, particularly to the newly bereaved and where a need is known.

Informal coffee meetings are also arranged for those who prefer to meet in smaller groups.

We distribute The Compassionate Friends Newsletter bi-monthly to our members and anyone else who requests it. This newsletter will be attached to this website.

Once a year we endeavour to run a grief workshop.

We have our own committee of volunteers who meet regularly to see that COCF continues to operate efficiently so to support all bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents in the Central Otago Region. The committee makes applications for grants to fund operating costs. There are no subscriptions. The newsletter and workshops are free to bereaved families. No commitment is expected from bereaved families to attend workshops, bi-monthly gatherings or to receive newsletters.

The area encompassed by Central Otago includes The Teviot Valley, The Maniototo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell, and Alexandra and all the areas surrounding. We currently have close to 100 families in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes that we support.