In the second part of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2017 I was joined in the studio by Jane Merrigan from St Francis Hospice, Bridgett Sallis (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and Claire Edwards (End of Life Care Facilitator) at Queens & King Georges Hospitals Palliative Care Team.

Interview

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 eighth annual Dying Matters Awareness Week from Monday May 8th to Sunday May 14th 2017.

The theme of the week is ‘What Can You do’. We want to discuss what you can do for yourself, and for those around you and in your community when facing death.

Here are six ways that you can get involved with hospice care! 

1. Bust some myths for us – Help us spread the word about what we do and how we support our community, while challenging misconceptions about hospice care.
2. Sign up to one of our events!Help us raise vital funds for Saint Francis Hospice while having fun at the same time.. why not register for our first ever Bubble Rush event or this years Star Walk? 
3. Volunteer for us! We are always looking for volunteers – whatever your skill, we have a role for you. Our volunteers are the cogs that keep this place running, and we would love to have you on the team. 
4. Sign up to one of our Education courses.You’d be surprised at the variety of courses we host, why not have a look and learn more about Palliative Care! We are even holding a Summer School for children aged 16-18 interested in a career in Health & Social Care – make sure to let anyone know who may be interested.
5. Sponsor a Nurse – help fund our nurses and the incredible work that they do for the people of our community. 
6. Donate a bag of goodies to your local shopor drop spot! Have a clear-out of your cupboards and fill a bag to drop off to your nearest Saint Francis Hospice charity shop. Do your part in helping your local hospice raise money for patient and family care. 

The week is aimed at providing practical steps to live and die well, and the hospice together with fellow local health professionals, solicitors and funeral directors will be holding information stands at local hospitals, libraries and shopping centres. Use the week to record your funeral wishes and talk to your loved ones about your future care and plans.

Dying Matters Awareness Week activities planned for the Saint Francis Hospice catchment area include information stands throughout the week!

Monday (May 8th)

• Lesley Grainger, Practice Manager at Redbridge Council, will be holding a Death Café at Central Library in Ilford from 3-5pm.

Tuesday (May 9th)

•  We will be holding an information stand at the London South Bank University ‘s Havering Campus from 10am to 2pm so people can find out more about the range of healthcare courses we run at the hospice.

Wednesday (May 10th)

• ·Lesley Grainger will be at Central Library from 2pm to 3.30pm to give a talk about “Let’s Talk about Death and Dying.”

• Our very own PR Executive will be on Phoenix FM to talk about what Dying Matters Awareness Week is all about and what the hospice will be doing throughout the week. She will also be joined by representatives from Queen’s palliative care team.

• Our Education Team will have an information stand at Barking and Dagenham College from 12-2.30pm to tell people more about the courses available at the hospice.

Friday (May 12th)

• We will have an information stand at shops on the High Street, Ilford as well as our South Street shop in Romford, from 10am to 2pm.

• We will also have an information stand at Queen’s Hospital from 10am to 3pm!