News from our partners: Support to talk about death and dying

News from our partners NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (Monday 2 May – Friday 6 May 2022), local organisations are working together with Shropshire Libraries to provide a safe space for people to talk about death, dying, and bereavement.

Experts with specialist knowledge about preparing for the end of a life and dealing with death will be available in local libraries across Shropshire and Telford to share information about the support available and answer people’s questions.

Dying Matters awareness week 2022

Alison Massey, leading on Palliative and End of Life Care for the CCG, said:-

“Death and dying affects us all, but it’s still a subject that we often struggle to talk about with our loved ones and properly plan for. The focus of this year’s awareness week is on being ‘In a Good Place’ when you die, and having those conversations is critical to making sure we have the best experience possible at the end of all our lives.

“Over the past year we have worked together with people with experience of end of life care services and our partners to understand how we can grow the public conversation about death and dying.

“I really encourage people to come along to their nearest participating library to find out what help is available and what we can all do to prepare ourselves and our loved ones. It’s a chance to ask your questions and talk to experts in caring for people at the end of life and supporting people experiencing bereavement.”

A number of different specialists will be visiting the following libraries during the week:

Tuesday 3 May

Ludlow Library, 10am until 2pm – ‘Bereavement advice and support’

Wellington Library, 1.30pm until 3.30pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Wednesday 4 May

Oswestry Library, 10am until 4pm – ‘Bereavement advice and support’

Bridgnorth Library, 2pm until 4pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Thursday 5 May

Shrewsbury Library, 10am until 1pm – ‘Bereavement advice and support’

Oswestry Library, 10am until 1pm – ‘Bereavement advice and support’

Wellington Library, 1.30pm until 3.30pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Friday 6 May

Oswestry Library, 10am until 12pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Whitchurch Library, 1pm until 3pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Wellington Library, 2pm until 4pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Shrewsbury Library, 11am until 1pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’

Bridgnorth Library, 2pm until 4pm – ‘Planning for your future care and support’.

Following Dying Matters Awareness Week, Healthwatch Shropshire is hosting an event bringing together local experts in the field of end of life care. The aim is to highlight some of the work being done to support people nearing the end of their life and their families, and to discuss the steps everybody can take to make death and dying as good as it can be.

The Healthwatch event is on Tuesday 10 May 2022 at 1pm until 4.30pm at Shrewsbury Town FC’s stadium. To book, please visit www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/events  or call 01743 237884.