How we're encouraging people to talk about death, dying and grief.
St Leonard’s Hospice is encouraging our community to get talking about dying, grief and plans for the end of life by hosting Dying to Talk Cafes.
The cafes, which will take place as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (2-6 May), are part of a national campaign to open up conversations around death and dying, how and where we die, and what care and support we have in place.
The events will take place on:
- Tuesday 3 May, 1.30- 3.30pm, joint hosted with York St John University, Room 004, Ripon Wing.
- Friday 6 May, 1.30- 3.30pm, Pickering Methodist Church, Main Hall.
Both events are open to everyone and you can pop in anytime; stay for ten minutes or two hours! At each cafe, there will be an opportunity to chat with one of the St Leonard’s Family Support team and there will be (optional) activities and a remembrance wall, as well as tea and cake!
Jenny Latchford, Family Support Team Lead at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “The one certainty in life is we are all going to die. We encourage you to get together and talk about your wishes. We’d love to see as many people as possible attend our cafes, where we’ll provide a safe space to talk about death, dying and grief. If you can’t make the cafes, St Leonard’s Hospice has some helpful resources to begin these conversations on our website.”
The Covid-19 pandemic had meant many more people have experienced to loss of a loved one, many at home and without the right emotional and practical support they need. Never before has opening up conversations about death and talking to friends, relatives and loved ones in advance been so important.
