The Loss and Grief Centre welcomes Walk-ins @ 17 The Crescent
At our lunch meeting on Tuesday 23rd September, we had the privilege of hearing from Caroline Loo, founder of the Loss and Grief Centre—a charitable trust offering vital support to those navigating the many forms of grief and loss.
Caroline shared the deeply personal story behind the Centre’s origins. Fifteen years ago, Caroline and her family experienced the devastating loss of their daughter after a 10-week illness. Describing the experience as “life shattering” and one that “changed their life,” Caroline spoke candidly about the absence of support services available to them at the time. With agencies like hospice and victim support not being applicable due to the circumstances, the question “where was help ?” became a driving force.
Five years later, Caroline, with support from the community, established the Loss and Grief Centre on Tay Street. The vision was simple yet powerful: to create a community-led space where people could “drop in” when they needed support.
Today, the Centre is based at 17 The Crescent, Invercargill, and has expanded its reach to Winton, Mataura, Te Anau, Gore, and more recently, Arrowtown and Queenstown. Services include:
- Counselling
- Support Groups
- Grief Resources
- Community Workshops
- Telehealth Support
The Centre endeavors to tailor support to individual needs, recognising that grief is different for everyone. Referrals come from MSD, Victim Support, GPs, schools, and other agencies. People can also self refer.
There are some national contracts enabling free counselling for those eligible, and funding from Mike King’s Gumboot Friday has helped, but they still rely solely on community donations to meet overhead and operating costs.
The Centre has welcomed 200 new clients and delivered over 5,000 one-on-one support hours in 2025 already. Caroline spoke to the demand for support continues to rise, especially following major events such as the Christchurch mosque attacks, the White Island tragedy, and the COVID-19 lockdowns. Data shows that times of uncertainty and / or around trauma—whether from suicide, stress, or political unrest— can significantly increase the need for grief support.
At the conclusion of Caroline’s moving presentation, Club President Michael Blomfield presented a $5,000 donation on behalf of the Rotary Club’s Charitable Trust.
These funds, raised through annual book sales, Circus Quirkus, and other community efforts, have been donated to help the Centre continue to offer free, accessible services to those in need.
“This takes some of the immediate pressure off,” Caroline said. “We will put it right back into supporting our community.”
President Michael echoed the sentiment: “Our Club is all about community, and we’re proud to support an organisation that brings hope and healing to so many.”
If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact the Loss and Grief Centre at 027 443 8788 or 03 214 0393, email lossandgriefcentre@gmail.com, or book online at lossandgriefcentre.com.