Oceanside Hospice Society’s community ‘wind phone’ is offering a new tool for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
A wind phone lets people feel connected to someone who has died, carrying their words on the wind to the people who have passed on before them.
The first one was made by Itaru Sasaki, a Japanese garden designer who set up an old telephone booth in 2010 to grieve the death of his cousin. A year later he opened his garden wind phone to the public after the Tohoku tsunami killed more than 15,000 people, including many in Sasaki’s home town.
The idea caught the attention of an American author and started an international movement, which has now reached Qualicum Beach.
“Our catchment area is from Nanoose Bay to Bowser and so the thoughts were how do we make sure that we provide services for all of the community that we serve and this was the first opportunity to do so,” said Toni Wheeler, Oceanside Hospice Society executive director. “We hope that we’re able to put wind phones in other areas of our catchment area, too.”
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The phone is located outside on the grounds of the Oceanside Hospice Resource Centre (210 Crescent Rd. W) and can be used by anyone at anytime. No appointment or booking is necessary, Wheeler said.
She said more wind phones could be set up near trails or other accessible and outdoor areas.
“We’re really happy to be able to offer this peaceful spot as a new grieving tool for people that find themselves at hospice and needing our services,” said Ian Mackay, Oceanside Hospice Society board chair.
Mackay thanked the Town of Qualicum Beach, the City of Parksville, donors, staff, community partners and volunteers, including Brad Parker who designed and built the booth that houses the wind phone.
Oceanside Hospice Society is a non-profit organization that is community funded and volunteer driven. Its services are offered free of charge to people living in Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose, Deep Bay, Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Errington, Coombs, Hilliers and Whiskey Creek.