It can be hard to find the right words at such a sensitive time but to not speak honestly, openly and in a timely way to individuals and families can have consequences. It can prevent people having discussions about their wishes in their final weeks/months, and stop people sorting out their affairs and having important conversations.
This year, Dying Matters Awareness Week will take place from 4-10 May.
Webinars
Dying Matters Webinar - Talking about death and dying at the very end of life - Tuesday 5 May, 2pm
Marianne Mestern (Head of Community Palliative Care, St Joseph's Hospice) will join us in a webinar to explore the emotionally challenging time of life when someone who is dying is nearing the very end of their life. She will help to guide us through why these conversations can feel so difficult, why they matter deeply, and how to approach these conversations with gentleness and compassion.
Meeting ID: 327 581 437 793 893
Passcode: nY6t5ey3
For further information please contact emma.robinson11@nhs.net
Events to Mark Dying Matters Awareness Week
Tower Hamlets
The whole collection of events is available here. All events are free but please do book via Eventbrite to give the organisers an idea of numbers.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park - Monday 4 May and Sunday 10 May
On Monday 4 May at 6pm or Sunday 10 May at 10am, you can join Park Keeper, Ken, for a guided tour of this beautiful cemetery.
Mile End Hospital Garden - Wednesday 6 May
Gathering at the Remembrance Tree - Staff are invited to join us at 1.30pm on Wednesday 6 May at the Magnolia Tree in Mile End Hospital Garden, for a moment of quiet reflection to remember colleagues, family, friends, patients and others who have died.
There will be a shared poem, a moment of silence and the opportunity to write a memory card. For further information please contact emma.robinson11@nhs.net.
Mile End Hospital and Beaumont House
A finger print memory tree will be available throughout the week in various locations including Mile End Hospital main corridor and Beaumont House Third Floor. Visitors as well as staff are invited to add a fingerprint leaf representing someone who has died and to help to create a living artwork of remembrance.
For further information please contact sharen.hayre@nhs.net.
Bethnal Green Library - Thursday 7 May and Saturday 9 May
On Thursday 7 May there is a day of events at Bethnal Green Library. These include:
- Between Conflict and Connection: Navigating Family Dynamics at end-of-life. A workshop and facilitated conversation.
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Funerals (but were too afraid to ask). A talk and Q&A
- Life, Death and Biscuits: Inspiring stories from a Critical Care Nurse. A talk and Q&A
- Planting Through Grief: Explore Grief Through Nature. A creative workshop
- Planning for the Inevitable: Learn what you can do to prepare for your death. A talk and Q&A
- Companion Voices - traditional songs sung at the bedside of the dying.
On Saturday 9 May, the events at Bethnal Green Library are made accessible to all ages with workshops for all humans aged 5 or older. We hope a multi-generational audience will come to participate. The workshops include:
- Where Love Lives: Explore the meaning of home and grief together. A creative workshop.
- Planting Through Grief: Explore Grief Through Nature. A creative workshop based on the same ideas as the event on Thursday, but pitched so that children can also participate.
Throughout the day, a dedicated space will be available for quiet reflection and refreshments. There will also be stalls run by the following organisations:
- St Joseph’s Hospice
- Parkinsons UK
- Universal Care Plan
- End of Life Doula UK
- Living Well Dying Well
- Carers Centre Tower Hamlets
You can also browse a curated display of death and grief-related books, both fiction and non-fiction, available to browse and borrow in the main library.
Newham
Stratford Centre - Wednesday 6 May
Newham Council are hosting a stall outside the Stratford Centre from 10am on Wednesday.
East Ham Care Centre - Wednesday 6 May
ELFT is hosting a stall on 'What is there for people afterwards? Death, dying and bereavement'.
Luton/Bedfordshire
Tuesday 5 May
Online - Essentials Advance Care Planning, 10.30-11.30am - Join here with Keech Hospice
Wednesday 6 May
- Escape Room (Education Team only) Library and CC Room, 2-3pm
- Muslim Death Practices Workshop In Person, Syndicate Room Keech Hospice 10am-12pm - More information here
Thursday 7 May
- Online - Principles Session 2 Essential Communication, 10.30-11.30am - Join here with Keech Hospice
Friday 8 May
Online Inclusive Health Series – Palliative Care and the Homeless Community, 2-3pm - Join here with Keech Hospice