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Venue

​Your venue is the 200 year-old Ashton Great House in Middle Quarters, St. Elizabeth. From its  hilltop setting the Great House offers a commanding view of the Caribbean Sea in the distance, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the East and the misty Appleton plains to the west. 

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One of its earliest owners was English sea captain James Edward Burlton who, it is said, always kept a large brass telescope standing in the window to keep an eye on ships in the harbour in the nearby town of Black River.

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Today the main house, with its orangewood floors, circular staircase and antique furniture, is the only remaining structure of the original great house.  The operators of the hotel have built additional guest lodgings on other areas of the property.
 

What to bring

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  • A journal
  • Blanket or large towel for floorwork
  • Insect repellent
  • Flashlight 
  • Beach towel 
  • Shower slippers 
  • Jeans, casual clothing
  • A photo or other memento of the person who died   
  • Swimsuit (if you wish to use the pool)

We ask that all participants refrain from drinking alcohol over the weekend. Alcohol is a depressant and is counter-productive to our goal of healing.

The group is small - no more than 20 persons - providing opportunities for small group interaction and getting to know everyone.   We will begin with dinner and introductions on Friday night, and end mid-morning on Sunday.


Over the weekend participants will have the opportunity to:​
 

  • Talk about the death and what happened in a safe and accepting environment.
  • Remember the person who has died, acknowledging both the positive and difficult characteristics, relationship issues and events.​
     
  • Identify, explore and normalise the range of powerful feelings experienced.
     
  • Increase understanding of how the death affects them as individuals, as well as the family unit.​
     
  • Enhance and develop positive coping strategies.​
     








Agenda

Your facilitators… and fellow participants… will support your process as you participate in a combination of ‘talk therapy’, art and music activities designed to address the effects of grief on the mind, spirit and body.

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