Men’s Shed donates wind phone to Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society

A new initiative in Prince George is giving grieving families a peaceful and reflective way to connect with loved ones who have passed.

Inspired by a unique Japanese tradition, the first "Wind Phone" in the city has been set up at the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society.

The Wind Phone, a concept originally created by Itaru Sasaki in Japan, is an unconnected rotary phone placed in a tranquil outdoor setting, offering a symbolic space for people to "speak" to lost loved ones. Sasaki, who built the original phone while mourning the death of his cousin to cancer, named it Kaze No Denwa (The Wind Phone), which became a place of solace for those seeking to process their grief.

When Andrew Darbyshire, a member of the PG Men’s Shed, discovered the Wind Phone on a trip to Penticton, he was inspired to bring the concept to Prince George. Darbyshire shared the idea with the local community-based organization, and they quickly set to work creating the first of what they hope will be three such phones.

The first Wind Phone was installed on Saturday outside the Hospice Rec Room at the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, located behind the main building. The phone is available for anyone seeking a quiet, personal space to remember and communicate with a loved one.

“We are incredibly grateful to the PG Men’s Shed for this beautiful and meaningful gift,” said Donna Flood, executive director of the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society. “The Wind Phone offers a unique opportunity for families and individuals to connect with their memories in a peaceful and reflective way. This gift is a true reflection of the PG Men’s Shed’s dedication to supporting the well-being of our community.”

The PG Men’s Shed is a community organization known for its projects that bring people together to work on initiatives that benefit the wider community. Its members, mostly men, gather in a welcoming space to collaborate on projects, share experiences, and offer each other support in ways that can help foster emotional healing.

In addition to the Wind Phone at the Hospice, the PG Men’s Shed has plans to build two more. One will be placed at the Ancient Forest, a popular natural attraction near Prince George, while the other will be located at the Lheidli T’enneh Cemetery. These phones will offer additional opportunities for reflection and connection in peaceful, serene locations.

For more information or to support the PG Men’s Shed, you can reach them via email at [email protected] or through their Facebook page.