Programs and Services

MacKillop Seasons programs are built upon the foundations of the Seasons for Growth program developed more than 25 years ago by Professor Anne Graham AO, Founding Director of the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University. 

Over the past two decades, our programs have adapted and expanded to meet the identified needs of children, young people and adults in relation to experiences of change, loss and grief.
 

The MacKillop Seasons programs draw upon the metaphor of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief. Delivered in a series of small group sessions, participants learn that they are not alone in their experiences of change and loss, exploring the impact of grief in a safe and supported environment. 

Delivered by Companions (trained facilitators who live and work in the community), participants connect with others going through similar experiences and they learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and manage their experiences of change, loss and grief.  The programs foster emotional literacy and resilience to improve social and emotional wellbeing.

The MacKillop Seasons programs have supported more than 400,000 children, young people and adults in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales.  An extensive evidence base for the efficacy of the programs has been established through high-quality research, evaluations, practitioner generated evidence and participant feedback throughout the history of the programs. Find out more information here. 

The MacKillop Seasons team is located across Australia, providing professional learning sessions for schools and communities, support for secondary school communities impacted by suicide and other loss events through our Seasons for Life initiative and on-the-ground disaster recovery support in identified regions.