Join in the conversation about Death & Dying

Willow Wood Hospice is inviting the local community to join in the important conversation about death and dying during Dying Matters Week.

The Hospice is once again supporting Hospice UK’s national campaign, which runs from 5th to 11th May.

This year’s theme is The Culture of Dying Matters, focusing on how different communities and cultures in the UK feel, talk about, and deal with death and dying – and what brings them together.

During the week, Willow Wood will be hosting four pop-in sessions in the local community and an interactive market place event at the Hospice, to help continue opening up the vital conversation around death and dying.

Members of the public, colleagues from health and social care across both acute and community teams, faith leaders, funeral directors and other charities are all welcome to come along to learn about the culture of death and dying.

On Thursday 8th May, the interactive market place event at the Hospice is a chance for individuals, families and professionals to come together, challenge taboos, and reshape how we talk about death, dying and bereavement.

The guest speaker will be Mohamed Seedat, who is the Lead Chaplain at Tameside Hospital. He will be speaking about culture and spirituality in end-of-life care and death.

There are two sessions you can come along to – from midday to 1.30pm and from 2pm to 3.30pm, at the Hospice based on Willow Wood Close, off Mellor Road, in Ashton-under-Lyne (postcode OL6 6SL).

Limited spaces are available and free tickets must be booked in advance online at www.willowwood.org.uk/dying-matters

There will also be pop-in sessions on the following dates:

Tuesday 6th May: 9.30am to midday The Hub in Hattersley (postcode SK14 6AF)

Wednesday 7th May: Midday to 2pm The Together Centre in Dukinfield (postcode SK16 5AU)

Friday 9th May: 3pm to 5pm The Wellness Centre in Denton (postcode M34 3EZ)

Saturday 10th May: 10am to midday The Bureau in Glossop (postcode SK13 8BW)

At these sessions, there will be an informative stall sharing information and insight into Willow Wood Hospice services, the opportunity to ask any questions relating to death, dying and bereavement, as well as gaining an understanding of culture within these topics too.

There will be a fun part to the stalls with a spin the wheel game, alongside a learning opportunity of cultural norms, myths and gaining a wider insight into conversations that we sometimes feel fearful of or unsure on how to broach.

Rachael Grimwood, Clinical Educator at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Dying Matters Week gives us a unique opportunity to approach some of the taboos and fears that still surround death and dying.

“Our interactive market place event at the Hospice and pop-in sessions in Tameside and Glossop will be welcoming spaces to ask questions, learn more and take part in open conversations, so please come along if you can.”

For more information about any of the events or Dying Matters Week, contact Rachael at education@willowwood.org.uk or on 0161 330 1100.