Wind Phone offers space for reflection and remembrance

The Wind Phone provides a quiet, private space where people can speak aloud to someone they miss, express thoughts left unsaid, remember a loved one or simply take time to reflect. The telephone is not connected to a phone line, allowing conversations to be carried away "by the wind" in a symbolic act of remembrance and healing.

The idea of the Wind Phone originated in Japan. In 2010, garden designer Itaru Sasaki installed an unconnected telephone in his garden after the death of a cousin, believing that his words could be carried to his loved one by the wind. Following the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, thousands of bereaved people visited the phone to find comfort and express their grief. Since then, Wind Phones have been created in communities around the world as places of reflection and remembrance.

The Wind Phone at Greeno Community Centre is not a counselling service or crisis intervention point. Instead, it offers a compassionate space where anyone experiencing bereavement, anticipatory grief, separation, loneliness or other difficult emotions can pause and process their feelings in their own way.

To ensure visitors can access further support if they need it, Greeno Community Centre staff and volunteers will be able to signpost people to specialist organisations, including the Samaritans for anyone needing someone to talk to at any time, Cruse Bereavement Support for specialist bereavement advice and one-to-one support, and the Surrey-based Brigitte Trust, which provides practical and emotional support to people affected by terminal illness and bereavement.

Cllr Susan Doran, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council's Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said: "Grief affects everyone differently, and there is no right or wrong way to process loss. The Wind Phone offers a simple but powerful opportunity for people to take a quiet moment to reflect, remember and express emotions that can often be difficult to put into words. We hope this thoughtful addition to Greeno Community Centre will provide comfort to residents and remind them that they are not alone, while also helping them access further support whenever they need it."

Residents wishing to use the Wind Phone can visit Greeno Community Centre on weekdays from 9am – 4pm.