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Dundee Students reflect on mortality

Lynn Griffin, Lecturer at Dundee University writes about work to support nursing students to sensitively approach the subject of death and dying with patients and families...

We know that many health care professionals find it difficult to talk about death and dying and experience anxiety when trying to approach the subject with patients and their families. Inappropriate euphemisms and misleading language are often used, which is a reflection of society in general. Within the University of Dundee, we are keen to support nursing students to develop knowledge and skills which will enable them to approach the topic of death and dying with patients and their families, with sensitivity and confidence.

During April and May 2014, the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s third year nursing students have been undertaking their final theoretical modules prior to registering as graduate nurses in the autumn. The modules they are undertaking include Managing Complex Care in the Community and Skills and Practice. Both modules include an in-depth focus on palliative and end of life care, loss, grief and bereavement. The students also take part in a clinical simulation exercise which involves students developing their communication skills, with simulated patients, focusing on conversations about death and dying.

Whilst we were aware that the Awareness Week is planned for 12-18th May, we really wanted to ‘spread the word’ and, therefore, took the opportunity to run a small event, alongside the students’ theoretical block, a little earlier than the national dates. We arranged ‘pop up’ “Before I Die Walls…” located in our University campuses and a link to a virtual wall for 4 days, coinciding with the week that palliative and end of life care was the main focus of the students’ taught sessions. Our aim was to encourage the students, in a positive way, to explore what was important to them and become more open to discussions around death and dying. We asked the students to reflect on how this may impact on their role as nurses and, by reflecting on the diversity of the students aspirations, explored issues of individuality and opportunities to enhance patients’ and family members’ experiences.

The “Before I die…” walls created a real ‘buzz’ around the University campus. Our tweets on Twitter were discussed, favoured and retweeted, there was media interest from local Radio (Radio Tay) and even an appearance on Scottish Television News for one of our students who was interviewed against the backdrop of our ‘walls.’ Interest spread as far afield as the Times Newspaper in London! As our photographs of the event testify, the students really engaged with the project and added many interesting aspirations to the walls.

We often use the materials and resources available from the Good Life, Good Death, and Good Grief and Dying Matters websites to supplement and support learning and teaching around death, dying and bereavement. We are already considering what other events we can hold to enhance the students’ learning experiences and raise awareness… perhaps a Death Café will be next?!

Lynn Griffin, Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee

You only die once

Dying Matters Awareness Week will take place 12-18 May. This year's theme is #YODO - You Only Die Once.

Various events promoting openness about death, dying and bereavement will be taking place across the UK - see the Dying Matters website for more information. Several events are taking place in Scotland...

Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, Faith in Older People and Edinburgh University Chaplaincy are working together to put on a Civic Café event. Already fully booked, the event will provide an opportunity to follow up the recent Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture given by Rabbi Baroness Neuberger on Dying well and why it matters.

A community-run You Only Die Once Death Cafe will take place in at 6.30pm in the Benarty Centre, Ballingry, Fife on 15th May. Free cake and a cuppa for participants - book in advance here: weblink.

The Aberdeen Gate Project will be taking a Before I Die wall to the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen on Saturday 17^th May, 10am – 4pm. They will be engaging with the public and conducting a survey to gauge their thoughts, preparations and comfort around End of Life Issues.

Final Fling is joining in with a week long Take 5 campaign... encouraging you to take 5 minutes each day and do something to contribute to a good end. Check out the Final Fling website for more information.

NHS Fife is holding a free afternoon tea with death as the discussion. Thursday 15 May, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, 2pm – 4pm. Attendance is free but numbers are limited so please book in advance.

Marie Curie Cancer Care are holding various events in Argyll & Bute throughout the week, all including refreshments, information from funeral directors, Age Scotland, Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, solicitors, “record five wishes”, and an interactive Before I Die wall. 12^th May –Dunoon; 15^th May – Rothesay; 16^th May – Lochgilphead. More information is available from Jennifer Layden.

NHS Tayside will be running an awareness and information event in Angus College on 15^th May from 11am – 3pm. More information to follow.

Widowed and Young (WAY) are holding a Big Picnic on Sunday 18th May, in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, from 12pm - 4pm. A nyone who would like to come along is invited. Meet on the grass in front of the museum, bring your own food. There will be entertainment for the children and more information is available on the WAY website.

A Before I Die wall will appear at Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital in Glasgow in Friday 16th May, from 10am - 1pm. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde staff will be on hand, engaging with the public surrounding dying matters and encouraging people to start to think about having conversations with loved ones - it is never too early to think about planning ahead.

Volunteers sought to participate in filming

Do you have happy memories of someone who is now dead?

Has someone who has died played an important role in your life?

Would you be willing to share these memories in written form or within a short film?

This November, Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief will launch To Absent Friends: A Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance. The Scotland-wide festival will be an opportunity to remember ordinary people who have died but who live on in the memories and stories of the living. We are currently making a website and a short promotional film to advertise to absent friends and are seeking people to take part by sharing stories, memories and anecdotes on camera or in written form. Stories can be poignant or trivial, ordinary or exceptional, moving or humorous.

If you are interested, or would just like more information about what would be involved, please get in touch with Rebecca at Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief by Friday 4^th April:

0131 229 0538 or rebecca@palliativecarescotland.org.uk

Facilitator available to run death, dying & bereavement workshops

Organisations wishing to hold workshops to provide volunteers with practical education relating to death, dying and bereavement can now apply through good life, good death, good grief to access the services of an experienced facilitator, free of charge.

Background: who are these workshops designed for?

Living through difficult times relating to death, dying or bereavement is challenging and emotionally painful, and affects individuals, families and communities.

Throughout Scotland there are individuals who provide support to people in their community, for example church pastoral visitors and volunteer befrienders. Many people who volunteer for public sector or voluntary organisations have a role which includes dealing with practical or emotional effects of death, dying and bereavement.

Many individuals working in these roles may have the inclination or potential to take on more of a supportive role relating to death, dying and bereavement, but lack the confidence or skills to do so. These workshops are designed to provide participants with the opportunity to explore how they can better support the individuals and families they meet.

Workshop Facilitator

Joan Adam worked as a Macmillan Nurse Specialist and then a lecturer in palliative care for 20 years. She has a particular interest in helping people to help themselves and others in their organisation/community.Working withpeople in a small group can help develop knowledge, skills and confidence in talking about and supporting people through a range of issues related to planning for a good death, dying and bereavement.

Workshop details

Workshop 1: How do you talk about death? (2 hours)

This workshop aims to provide participants with the opportunity to explore and discuss:

• end of life issues, planning for the end of life and practical advice on how participants might better support individuals and families in their community
• the topics and issues which may arise during a discussion about death, dying and bereavement
• their own strengths and limitations
• how to access professional/social/voluntary support services

Workshop 1 can be run as a stand alone or with workshop two which would be held 4-6 weeks later.

Workshop 2: Facilitating small group discussions on end of life issues/ bereavement and loss (2 hours)

This workshop is aimed at anyone who wishes to hold discussions/run events relating to death, dying and bereavement within their own community, but would like some guidance on how to get started. The two half-day workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to explore:

• how to listen to and respond to issues out with their own comfort zone
• their experiences, skills, strengths, weaknesses and future learning needs relating to end of life issues within their organisation/ client group/ community
• how to plan and develop an initiative within their own community

There will be the opportunity to join a virtual peer support group following the workshop as participant develop their ideas and work towards completing and running their project/ initiative .

Participants who attend both workshops will be asked to undertake some preparatory work before attending the second workshop, to consider the type of initiative they would like to develop in relation to their work/organisation.

Applying to hold a workshop

To be eligible to apply to hold either/ both of these workshops, organisations must:

• Be (or become) a member of good life, good death, good grief (membership is free).
• Be able to provide a workshop venue in Edinburgh or the Lothians.
• Be providing the workshop for volunteers.
• Provide the workshop free of charge to participants.
• Take full responsibility for organising and holding the workshop, including:

- Provide an appropriate venue for the workshop/ training (including facilities: DVD, laptop and projector, flip chart, tea and coffee)

- Co-ordinate volunteer attendance at the training (minimum attendance:10/maximum attendance: 20)

- Take responsibility for the health & safety etc arrangements at the venue

- Provide reasonable travel expenses (public transport) from Edinburgh

To apply, contact: Rebecca.