The lovely Jan Lessons came in to talk about Dying Matters Week. Jan talks about How important it is to talk about what will happen in the event of you dying, funeral wishes, wills and arrangements for end of life care. The message being, have that conversation, sort out your wishes and then enjoy your life knowing that your wishes are known.
Dying Matters – and that’s why hospice is supporting upcoming awareness week
11 April 2014
We only get one chance to have our dying wishes met, which is why it’s vital to talk, plan and make arrangements for the end of life – before it’s too late. That’s why Saint Francis Hospice is supporting the fifth annual Dying Matters Awareness Week from May 12th to 18th.
The theme of the week is ‘Dying Matters: You only die once’ and is aimed at providing practical steps to live and die well. During the week you could write your will if you don’t have one, record your funeral wishes and talk to your loved ones about your future care and plans.
As part of the week Saint Francis Hospice will host a “You only die Once!” concert featuring the hospice choir and jazz singer Michelle Ward on Tuesday 13th May. The concert will be held in the education centre from 6pm to 8pm and there will be information stands from solicitors and funeral directors. Tickets are £3 and on sale now.
Other activities it has organised include:
• Information stands in the Mercury Mall and Queen’s Hospital, Romford; Brentwood Community Hospital (Wednesday 14th May), King George’s Hospital, Goodmayes; Central Library, Ilford; Fulwell Cross Library; Goodmayes Library; Hainault Health Centre, and at the hospice shop in Barkingside High Street.
• A chance to learn about funerals and get information from Havering Council about the death registration process and facilities at South Essex Crematorium at the Saint Francis Hospice Education Centre on Thursday 15th May from 2pm to 4.30pm. Free tickets from the hospice education team.
• Tea and cakes at Trinity United Reformed Church, Upminster, on Tuesday 13th from 2pm to 4.30pm. Hospice Chaplaincy Team Leader Graham Laut will be there to answer questions.
• Workshop -`Funeral creativity that doesn’t break the bank’ at the Cherry Tree Cafe, Ilford (12noon -3pm) on Tuesday 13th May.
Denise Douglas, a Saint Francis Hospice Lecturer in Palliative Care, said: “At Saint Francis Hospice we want to provide the best care for people and their families who are affected by a life-limiting illness when they need it, and to train healthcare professionals in the delivery of quality care. By getting involved in Dying Matters Awareness Week we hope to raise awareness about our services and get people talking about dying and bereavement.”
She continued: “Did you know an average adult makes around 35,000 decisions a day? During the awareness week and beyond we want people to make plans for their future and talk to loved ones about any wishes they have for the type of funeral they want or care they’d like at the end of their lives so that they can continue making the most of life.”
To book your concert tickets or free place at the education event on May 15th please contact education@sfh.org.uk or call 01708 758646. To learn more about dying matters visit www.dyingmatters.org
To learn more about Saint Francis Hospice please visit www.sfh.org.uk or call 01708 753319
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