I know that many of us will be aware of the issues facing hospices across the UK, after what has been one of the most challenging years for the palliative care sector. Helping our local hospices, where we can, and joining in the conversations about death and dying are all ways we can support the vital work of the hospice movement.
Karen Murphy, President of the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, says, “Hospice and palliative care has continued to support patients and families over the past year, but under difficult and challenging circumstance to keep everyone safe.” Karen, who is also Chaplain and Spiritual Lead, Weston Hospicecare, goes on to say that, “Sadly along the way , I am aware of at least 9 hospice chaplaincy posts lost during the pandemic due to financial constraints. As hospices are usually independent charities, fund raising and giving generally ground to a halt, requiring hospices to looks at financial priorities. It was greatly saddening to hear of these losses which will have a significant impact on patient care and support. The Association of Hospice and Palliaitive care Chaplains has been involved in a European study of chaplaincy activity during the pandemic and the finding are now available in The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counselling. The study demonstrates just how hard chaplaincy has worked to support so many people, and how integral our work is to the whole team.”
Perhaps you could get in touch with the hospice in your area and find out how you can help - maybe through volunteering, making donations of items to one of their shops or by giving a financial donation or through joining in one of their fundraising events. I have been able to pass on some nearly new clothes and great books to the Dorothy House Hospice shop in my town and do some fundraising for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice where my friend works as a chaplain. I wonder what you could do?
We are sharing this news as part of the Awareness Week for Dying Matters ‘being in a good place to die’ - there are all sorts of support materials and resources to help us to think about and talk about palliative care and supporting the bereaved which you can download HERE.
(photo above from Dying Matters resource pack and cover photo courtesy of Bret Kavanaugh at Unsplash)