Join in The Big Conversation in hospice shops this Dying Matters Awareness Week
Nurses from St Catherine’s Hospice will be touring the charity’s shops next month, to offer practical and emotional advice and information about planning for the end of life as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.
The theme of this year’s national campaign, set for 9th to 15th May, is ‘The Big Conversation’, raising awareness about the importance of talking about dying, death and bereavement with loved ones and healthcare professionals.
St Catherine’s dedicated clinical educators will be reaching out to the local community through the charity’s shops to help them talk about planning for the end of life, offering guidance and information about important issues such as funeral preparations and organ donation.
People are also being encouraged to speak with loved ones about their wishes for end of life care, and the hospice’s experts will be on hand to discuss a range of issues and address any concerns or questions people have about hospice care.
Clinical educator Fiona Tucker, who will be in the shops as part of the campaign, said: “Speaking about death and dying can be a scary and daunting experience, so we understand that it’s not at the top of everyone’s agenda.
“But these are really important issues to discuss, and Dying Matters Awareness Week is all about taking away the stigma of speaking about care plans and end of life wishes.
“It’s also an opportunity to speak openly and confidentially with experts in the field who can offer advice and support. By taking our nurses out into the shops, we’re hoping members of the public will feel encouraged to approach them in a familiar and comfortable setting, to ask questions and find out more about the work of St Catherine’s Hospice.
“A lot of people have the perception that the charity is just about caring for people at the end of their days. While this is a part of what we do, St Catherine’s is here for people at all stages of their journey, from diagnosis through the specialised palliative treatments and therapies offered at the hospice, to supporting families and carers with dedicated drop-in sessions and through bereavement and memorial services.”
Visitors to the hospice’s shops will also be given the option of taking part in the national ‘Message in a Bottle’ project.
Launched by the Lions International charity, the plastic bottles are filled with a person’s medical records such as allergies, doctor’s details, medication, and emergency contact details and kept in a safe place in people’s homes, so that emergency services can access the information if needed in the future.
The St Catherine’s clinical educators will be in the following shops from 11am to 1pm from the 9th to the 13th May:
Monday: Prospect Place, Ashton
Tuesday: Priory Lane, Penwortham
Wednesday: Black Bull Lane, Fullwood, and the St Catherine’s Superstore in the Guild Trading Estate, Ribbleton Lane, Preston
Thursday: High Street, Chorley, and Berry Lane, Longridge
Friday: Sumner Street, Leyland
To get involved with the #BigConversation online during the week, follow us on Twitter @StCatherinesPre and @TheMillPre.
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