Willow Wood Hospice encourages open conversations

Members of the public joined healthcare professionals at Willow Wood Hospice to learn how to start difficult conversations around death, dying and grief during this year’s Dying Matters Week.

Members of the public joined healthcare professionals at Willow Wood Hospice to learn how to start difficult conversations around death, dying and grief during this year’s Dying Matters Week.

The national campaign, led by Hospice UK, encouraged people to speak more openly with loved ones, friends and colleagues about subjects many still struggle to discuss, in line with this year’s theme, “Let’s talk about death and dying.”

According to Hospice UK figures, almost a third of people bottle up their feelings, while more than a quarter find it difficult to talk about death with family or friends.

Willow Wood Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, opened its doors once again by hosting an interactive marketplace event for the third successive year. The event on Wednesday 6th May brought together individuals, families and healthcare professionals to access information, resources and support aimed at helping people feel more confident discussing death, dying and bereavement.

A wide range of compassionate organisations and experts attended, including the Hospice’s own Wellbeing, Therapy, Dementia, Complementary Therapy, Fundraising, Inpatient Unit and Family Support teams.

Visitors were also able to connect with specialists in oral healthcare and organ donation, alongside charities including The Cinnamon Trust, Widowed & Young and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The hospice was also pleased to welcome community partners including Bromley Solicitors, Featherbed Tales, The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Manchester, and Elite Funeral Services. Guest speakers from Elite Funeral Services and Dukinfield Crematorium also answered a range of questions from visitors about processes after death and funeral arrangements.

Rachael Grimwood, Clinical Educator at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Dying Matters Week is an important opportunity to encourage more open and honest conversations around death and dying.

“These discussions can feel difficult, but they are incredibly valuable in helping people feel informed, supported and less alone. It was wonderful to see members of the public and healthcare professionals coming together to learn, ask questions and share experiences in such a compassionate environment.”

Healthcare professionals are also being invited to strengthen their skills and confidence in supporting people at the end of life through Willow Wood’s two-day Foundations of End-of-Life Care course.

Designed for staff working in any healthcare setting, the course offers practical guidance on delivering compassionate, high-quality care during one of life’s most challenging times. Training will be led by experienced members of the Willow Wood Hospice team alongside expert guest speakers, covering key topics including symptom management, oral care, organ donation, care after death and legal considerations.

Taking place at the Hospice on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th October 2026, participants will also have the optional opportunity to visit a crematorium at the end of the second day, providing valuable insight into processes after death. To find out more and sign up, visit willowwood.org.uk/foundations.

Willow Wood Hospice is an adult hospice providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care, support and education across Tameside and Glossop. The Hospice, which is a registered charity and not part of the NHS, is dedicated to improving quality of life for patients and those closest to them through a wide range of services, including Wellbeing, Therapy, Dementia and Family Support.

Services are provided free of charge, but it costs around £11,200 per day to run the hospice. Only 22 per cent of annual running costs come from government funding, with the remainder raised through the generosity of the local community via donations, fundraising events charity shop purchases, gifts in Wills, the weekly lottery and volunteering.