News

Demystifying Death Week 2023

Demystifying Death Week 2023 will take place from 1-7 May 2023. Small grants are available and nominations are open for the Demystifying Death Awards. Read on for more information.

demystifying death week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in scotland.

#demystifydeath

People usually want to do the right thing when someone they know is caring, dying or grieving. But often they can feel awkward offering help, or worry about making things worse.

People can have questions about serious illness or death. But often they don't know who to ask.

Making plans when you’re healthy means there is less to think about when you’re ill. But often people put off making plans until it is too late.

demystifying death week is about giving people knowledge, skills and opportunities to plan and support each other through death, dying, loss and care.

find out more about DD Week

Each year, organisations and individuals across Scotland organise events to mark Demystifying Death week. All kinds of events take place, from death cafes to film nights, exhibitions to craft workshops, seminars to lunches. Find out more here.

Would you like to be involved with this year's Demystifying Death Week? Find out more and get involved.

small grants

A small grants fund has been set up to support organisations to put on events as part of Demystifying Death Week. Apply for up to £250, by 15th March.

More about the grants, as well as the application form and guidance, is available here.

demystifying death awards

The Demystifying Death Awards celebrate those working to make Scotland a place where everyone can help when someone is caring, dying and grieving.

Read more about how to nominate a person, project or organisation here.

Demystifying Death Week Small Grants

Come along to an informal session to find out more about Demystifying Death Week grants, and get some inspiration about events you could host.

Demystifying Death Week is about giving people knowledge, skills and opportunities to plan and support each other through death, dying, loss and care. The next annual Demystifying Death Week will take place across Scotland from 1st - 7th May 2023.

There is an opportunity for organisations and community groups to apply for small grants of up to £250 to help support the organisation and running of events for the week.

Come along to an informal session to hear more about the funding process and get some inspiration about events that you could host.

The session will take place on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, 3.30pm - 4.30pm on MS Teams.

Whether you work in care home, 3rd sector, public sector, community organisations or are looking to do something with friends and neighbours, everyone is welcome!

If you are interested you can register via this link - https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EP/872761943ECC41A4

More information about the small grants scheme is available here: DD week small grants scheme 2023

Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash

Winter get-together

With an exceptional line-up of local and international speakers, Caring, Dying & Grieving: Encouraging and Supporting Action in Communities took place on Thursday 1 December at the Renfield Centre in Glasgow. More information about this sold-out even, including speaker presentations, is available here: weblink

To be the first to hear about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletter by joining GLGDGG here: sign up for GLGDGG newsletter

The Scottish Compassionate Communities Network is for people and organisations who want to get involved in practical work to build compassion in their own community, with a particular focus on improving people's experiences of deteriorating health, death, dying and bereavement. The network provides opportunities for people to come together and share learning, experience, ideas and motivation. It is free to join the network and you can sign up here.

Caring, dying and grieving: encouraging and supporting action in communities

With an exceptional line-up of local and international speakers, it is time to book your place at Caring, Dying & Grieving: Encouraging and Supporting Action in Communities. Tickets cost only £20 for community members/volunteers and £40 for professionals.

Book tickets here, check out the programme, or read more about the sessions on offer here.

who should come?

The event is designed for anyone interested in this field, whether professionally, personally or in a volunteer capacity. We're keen to welcome volunteers, community members, social care staff, nurses, doctors, funeral directors, death doulas, academics, policy workers, community development practitioners, service planners/managers and more.

Format

The programme will feature a mix of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, quickfire presentations, exhibitor stalls, and opportunities to meet and share informally. It is a chance to learn more, to share the work you’re doing, and explore the current challenges, potential solutions and opportunities for collaboration that exist within Scotland.

The day will explore:

• public health palliative care
• compassionate communities
• planning ahead for ill health and death
• death education and bereavement support in schools
• bereavement-friendly workplaces
• public education about death and dying

Access

The building, the main hall, and 3 of the 4 breakout rooms are accessible via ramp, lift, or level ground. There are accessible toilets in the venue.

If you have additional access requirements, support needs, or dietary restrictions that would enable you to comfortably attend and participate, please provide details when prompted during booking.

If you have any questions about attending, please email samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk.