St Catherine's offer end of life advice for 'Dying Matters' week

The national Dying Matters campaign urges people to have difficult discussions about the death of family and friends and helps them be more prepared for their futures.

St Catherine's Hospice is a local, independent charity based in Lostock Hall, providing specialised palliative and end-of-life care for the people of South Ribble.

Lynn Kelly, Director of Knowledge and Technical for the charity said the campaign has been important for raising awareness and encouraging people to open up with important bereavement discussions.

"Dying Matters raises awareness of the importance of having conversations about end-of-life with healthcare professionals and those close to you," she said.

"It encourages putting plans in place for your future, such as writing a will, considering organ donation, and making funeral arrangements, so that your wishes are recorded and your loved ones know how you want to be cared for and remembered.”

Throughout the campaign, St Catherine's Hospice have been sharing resources across their social media channels, offering advice on ways for people to take care of themselves and prepare for their future, how to approach difficult or sensitive subjects and ways for people to help in their own communities.

"The theme of the Dying Matters week is listening, learning how to be there for people when they want to talk about issues around death, bereavement and being better prepared emotionally and practically for the end of life," said Lynn.

"We have been reaching out and asking how we might be able to share our knowledge, skills and advice so that people can help themselves and others during these challenging times brought about by the Coronavirus, as we all have to think of new ways to keep in touch with friends, family and neighbours."

The hospice are also shining light on their Compassionate Communities approach, aiming to equip people with the confidence and skills to continue supporting their communities in a range of practical and emotional ways.

The outbreak of Coronavirus has meant that St Catherine's have seen an "outpouring of generosity" , with communities pulling together to face the global pandemic.

Lynn added: "We hope to help people feel comfortable providing practical support within their own neighbourhoods, and to develop communication skills to support those dealing with anxiety, bereavement or grief."

A range of resources including advice on care planning guidance and coping with anxiety are available on their website stcatherines.co.uk.

Materials developed in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and lists of local contacts helping with isolation are also available on their webpage.