A Romford hospice that cares for people at the end of their lives is trying to break down the taboo of talking about death and dying.
Saint Francis Hospice is encouraging open discussions about death, dying, and grief during Dying Matters Awareness Week, an annual campaign led by Hospice UK.
Running from May 5 to May 8, the campaign aims to normalise conversations around end-of-life care and support.
Dying Matters Week highlights the different ways communities across the country talk about, process, and honour death. It also seeks to emphasise the universal emotions tied to grief and loss. The campaign underlines the importance of having honest conversations with family, friends, and colleagues to ensure that end-of-life wishes are understood and respected.
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Jan Scott, transformation development manager at Saint Francis Hospice, said: "We hope that by sharing and learning from these experiences, we can create a society where talking about death is less of a taboo and where everyone feels empowered to have these conversations."
According to research, 27 per cent of people find it difficult to discuss death with loved ones, and 30 per cent said they keep their feelings to themselves. Saint Francis Hospice believes these conversations help reduce distress and improve care for individuals and families facing the end of life.
The hospice provides free palliative and end-of-life care for people of all backgrounds across Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Brentwood, and parts of west Essex.
As a registered charity, the hospice has offered support and compassionate care for more than 40 years, earning an "outstanding" rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Saint Francis Hospice supports people from all faiths and cultures who have been diagnosed with a serious, life-limiting illness. The hospice believes everyone deserves the best possible care at the end of life, regardless of who they are or why they are ill.
Dying Matters is Hospice UK’s flagship campaign and aims to create a culture where it is normal to talk about death, dying, and bereavement.
Saint Francis Hospice encourages everyone to start these important conversations—before it’s too late to have them.
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