Langley Hospice Society

The Gulf & Fraser Foundation helped the Langley Hospice Society offer practical and emotional support to those who have experienced the loss of their partner.

With a mission to provide community-based compassionate support to help people live with dignity and hope while coping with grief at the end of life, the Langley Hospice Society has been a fixture in the Langley community for more than 30 years. Providing both advocacy and education as well as palliative and bereavement support, the Langley Hospice Society provides support for individuals, their caregivers, families and friends throughout the last stage of illness, at the time of death and during bereavement.

Along with client-centered support and services for grieving children, teens, adults and families in the community, the Langley Hospice Society also provides practical support that extends to some of the day-to-day activities that often become a struggle and challenge for individuals after they suffer a loss. One such program is “Cooking for One” – a series of four cooking classes facilitated by a trained chef from Langley’s own Well Seasoned Gourmet Food Store.

"Cooking for One" classes provide more than just cooking lessons. Each workshop is also an opportunity for individuals to connect with others who have gone through a similar loss and to help them overcome the feelings of isolation and loneliness that can often be all-consuming during times of grief.

With funding from the Gulf & Fraser Foundation, the Langley Hospice Society was able to fully fund a second year of the popular cooking class that has done so much to help participants cope with their loss.

As Shannon tells it, the stories that come from the “Cooking for One” classes are inspiring and show that the program is truly making a difference in the community. 

“One gentleman participated in the “Cooking for One” series after he lost his wife. He went from eating sandwiches every day to hosting a dinner party for several guests. And the meal he made? Spaghetti, because that was his late wife’s favourite food.”