Holy
Brook is proud to be supporting Dying to Talk, Reading. Rachel Eden, explains why it is so important here:
Dying Matters Week aims to raise public awareness about the importance of talking more openly about dying, death and bereavement and of planning ahead. As a society we know we’re really uncomfortable with talking about this issue so I decided to get involved and see who else woudl be interested in doing something focused around the national dying matters week locally.
Why did I do it? Well I don’t like to to think about getting ill and dying anymore than anyone else, but not talking about it won’t make it go away. Having a conversation can help you to live well and to make the most of life until the very end. I have seen loved ones have good deaths, and not so good deaths, and I am determined that this is something we can improve.
Every death affects people differently. We’re often too polite to ask for help, or don’t offer it for fear of saying the wrong thing. But a family or a community dealing with loss needs help.
This year, the theme asks What Can You Do? This aims to get people more active in planning for dying and death and helping support those who may need it in times of grief and bereavement, be they friends, family or in your wider community.
I have been delighted by the range of people who have decided they want to help so we decided to not just make this a single event but to have a range of events – some of them fun: a BBQ, a charity quiz night others more thought provoking.
We’ve no any funding to do this, so I’m so grateful to everyone who has pitched in, and all we’re asking is that people come along and get involved. Iyou think this is an important issue here are some ideas of what you can do:
- Share the messages on social media – use #dyingmatters and #whatcanyoudo along with the #rdg hashtag or retweet/share our posts.
- Come along to an event
- Have a conversation with your family or friends about the issue.
- Make a donation to a charity – we’re recommending the Sue Ryder, Duchess of Kent Hospice
Let me know what you think – I’m on rachel.eden@holybrook-associates.co.uk and if you want to know more about Holy Brook Associates and how we support the community in the Thames Valley please do subscribe to our monthly newsletter