Issues facing hospices across the UK...

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)

International Day of Families... praying with Prison Fellowship

Did you know that Saturday 15th May is International Day of Families?

Many of us, in recent times, will have known the pain and challenge of being separated from our families, due to the pandemic. This has been especially difficult time for those who have family members in prison and for those who are serving prison sentences.

Will you join us on Saturday to pray for the International Day of Families, particularly those who have a family member who is serving a prison sentence? Prison Fellowship invite us to pray…

“We pray for all prisoners who are separated from their loved ones; that God would strengthen family connections, particularly for children who are separated from their parent.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Amen ”

— praying with Prison Fellowship

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

(cover photo courtesy of Jenna Norman at Unsplash)

"Talking about death is a taboo subject that people shy away from or feel anxious about..."

“Talking about death is a taboo subject that people shy away from or feel anxious about", says our Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Mark Newitt. This is something that is often all too true, so the Hospice UK led coalition of organisations (Dying Matters) encourage us to take part in an Awareness Week, during this week, to help to raise the profile of Dying Matters; they want to enable us to have the confidence and courage to start conversations with those in our families and churches and for those we minister to.

“Dying Matters Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to open up the conversation around death, dying and bereavement and I encourage you to look at the resources available on the Dying Matters website.”

— says Rev Dr Mark Newitt, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Free Churches

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VITAL WORK OF DYING MATTERS AND

HOW TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DEATH AND DYING

An introduction to Dying Matters Awareness Week - 10-16 May 2021

Each year, the Hospice UK led coalition of organisations, Dying Matters, encourage us to get involved in an Awareness Week in May, for families, churches, groups and networks to get involved with. The theme is different each year - for example, last year it was ‘Dying to be heard’. This year the theme is ‘Being in a good place to die’ and seeks to raise awareness and start conversations about how and where we end our days. It is a chance for coalition partners, organisations and individuals to come together and open up the conversation around death, dying and bereavement.

The resources and support materials are available for us to access all year round, but the Awareness Week helps to give us a special time to focus on these important matters. There is a lot of support for the work of Dying Matters from across many different groups, carers, chaplains and healthcare professionals, especially those working in the field of palliative care.

Karen Murphy, President of the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, offers us a thought-provoking and timely update on the challenges and opportunities in the support and spiritual care of the dying and the bereaved, “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. Chaplaincy teams have played a major role in the Covid 19 response to ensuring people have access to quality spiritual care.”

Karen goes on to say that, “Dying Matters Week is an opportunity to be thankful for spiritual care teams around the country who have been part of wider teams in palliative care, supporting staff as well as patients and their families.”

You can download lots of free resources to help you, your church and your family start conversations about death and dying, which we know is a difficult topic to know how to broach - we hope and pray that during this Awareness Week, you will feel encouraged and enabled to being these conversations and work towards helping those we love or those we minister to to be ‘in a good place to die’.

ACCESS THE RESOURCES HERE

(photo above and cover photo from the Dying Matters Awareness Week 2021 Resource Pack)

Do you have a heart for prayer and do you care about those who are in prison?

If you have a heart for prayer and if you care about people in prison, then join us as we pray throughout May with the help and inspiration of the Prison Fellowship Prayer Diary.

On Monday 10th May, we pray for those who are facing challenges once they are released from prison.

Loving God, we pray that the prevalent attitudes in our society would change to allow those who have been released to reintegrate and make a positive contribution.

Amen

“

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

(cover photo by Ben White @ Unsplash)