‘It’s your loved one that you are speaking to’: New wind phones in Dufferin County available for grief support

Local Journalism Initiative
·2 min read

New wind phones have been set up around Dufferin county to support people coping with grief and carry their words into the wind.

On a windy May 7, the Hills of Headwaters Collaboration Ontario Health Team (HOHC OHT) and Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) partnered to deliver the first of many wind phones to Dufferin and Caledon.

Heidi Vanderhorst is the engagement lead at HOHC OHT and managed the instillation. Inspired by a Japanese concept, it is a tool for people to communicate to a loved one who has died.

“The concept is more that you’re sort of speaking to the wind and that’s why they call it the wind phone,” Vanderhorst said. “There’s no one on the other line, but there kind of really is — it’s your loved one that you are speaking to.”

HOHC OHT’s grief and bereavement group felt it was important to bring these phones into the community and provide a safe space to mourn. There are currently five wind phones throughout Dufferin-Caledon, all in private areas.

One phone has been installed in the Friendship Gardens at HHCC. Hospital CEO and president Kim Delahunt said they are happy to be a host and support the bereavement journey.

“I think we’ve all suffered from grief and bereavement in our lives,” Delahunt said.

Tanya Dear knows what it’s like to deal with grief after losing her daughter. She is glad there is an easily assessable outlet for those experiencing grief.

Tanya Dear brought sheets of affirmation, which helped her through the most difficult part of her grief journey, to the unveiling of Dufferin County’s first wind phone on May 7.
Tanya Dear brought sheets of affirmation, which helped her through the most difficult part of her grief journey, to the unveiling of Dufferin County’s first wind phone on May 7.

“All these people are here for a reason and I’m sure they have got the same help that I have,” Dear said. “At first, it’s really hard, but you know what, you get through it and you get stronger with the words that people say to you, and the feelings like I’ve come so far with all this.”

“The wind today is beautiful for everybody; you know, our loved ones are here with us today.”

Other wind phones are located at the Shelburne Cemetery, Hereward Farms, Bethell Hospice and Kay Cee Gardens.

Rebecca Weston, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Orangeville Banner

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