Talking about Dying Matters

Running from 6-12 May, 2024, Dying Matters Awareness Week is an opportunity to destigmatise one of life’s ongoing taboos and make death a part of life. Dorothy House Hospice Care and our NHS partners across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire are pooling resources to get people talking about death, dying and grief.

 

Why does talking about dying matter?

Because of our ageing population, the number of deaths in the UK is projected to increase by 25% by 2048. According to the latest research, nearly 90% of respondents agreed that planning for end of life was essential, but just 14% of people had formally done so.

At Dorothy House and working with our Dying Matters partners, we aim to reduce stress and anxiety for people living in BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW); not just for our patients, but for friends and family members who may one day be caring for a loved at the end of their life, or faced with funeral planning when the individual has left no clear wishes.

Local Dying Matters partners kickstart important conversations

Dorothy House Hospice Care and Prospect Hospice are working with the BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together Integrated Care System (BSW Together ICS), which includes partners from across all sectors of health, social care and voluntary organisations, to share vital resources to support people in having difficult conversations and planning ahead for the end of life.

We will also be providing a suite of resources to ensure health professionals feel comfortable having these vital conversations with their patients, focusing on ‘what matters to you?’ rather than ‘what IS the matter with you?’

What free events and resources are available?

From a Photographic Exhibition to Death Cafés, Bereavement Help Points, free will writing, podcasts and free funeral planning tools, the Dying Matters partners are combining forces to provide the BSW community with helpful resources and though provoking events.

Please see below for a full list of upcoming events and resources:

Dying Matters events:

Photography Exhibition: Finlay Mills – With this Breath
6-12^th May
Dorothy House Furniture Store, 105 High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2DA

Death Café

 

 

Bereavement Help Points:·

• Bath (The Hub, Mulberry Park, Combe Down)
• Calne (The Library)
• Chippenham (The Angel Hotel)
• Corsham (The Three Brewers)
• Devizes (The Bear Hotel)
• Keynsham (Keynsham Baptist Church Hall)
• Malmesbury (The Kings Arms)
• Shepton Mallet (Shepton Brasserie)
• Castle & Ball Hotel, Marlborough

Photography Exhibition:
6-12^th May
Prospect House, Moormead Road, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9BY

What Happens When You Die, lunch time session with optional tour of Prospect Hospice
Prospect House, Moormead Road, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9BYMay 2012.30pm – 1.30pm

Planning Tools:

Peace of Mind Planner – free end of life planning tool.

The Future of Funerals blog.

Support for Families

Resources to support anyone with a life limiting illness.

Resources to support anyone with a life limiting illness.

Help with funeral costs.

 

Podcasts & interviews:

How to manage your Digital Legacy

Part of Life Podcast
Honest and positive podcast aims to destigmatise death and dying and enrich the understanding of anyone seeking to learn more about the inevitable.

Interview with Dr Mark Luciani on the importance of having advanced care plan conversations.

Interview with Cannes Award Winner Vicky Krieps on death literacy in Hollywood.

Wellbeing Resources:

Part of Life Movie Library

Part of Life Grief Playlist

Part of Life Grief & Bereavement Book List

David Attenborough Guided Meditation

 

What is Dying Matters?

Dying Matters is a national campaign run by the charity, Hospice UK. They work with local organisations, decision-makers and the general public to make things better for people who are dying or grieving.

 

The way we talk about Dying Matters

Every year, people around the UK use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them.

This year’s theme, ‘The way we talk about Dying Matters,’ focuses on the language that we use, and conversations we have, around death and dying – specifically between healthcare professionals and patients, their carers and their families.