Projects
Start the Conversation in Argyll & Bute
The “Start the Conversation” campaign has been launched across Argyll and Bute to raise awareness of the importance of having a Power of Attorney granted to a trusted relative or friend.
This campaign is a partnership between NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute Council, and the Third Sector Partnership.
Throughout December 2014, a TV advert will be shown at peak times on STV encouraging Argyll and Bute residents to talk to trusted family and friends about establishing a Power of Attorney. This will be followed by a series of community based events and talks in early 2015. Leaflets about power of attorney will be available shortly.
Christina West, Interim Director of Operations – Argyll and Bute CHP, said:
“People are often unaware of the importance of Power of Attorney until they become ill. The important message of this campaign is that we all need to think ahead and make plans, regardless of age.
"It is important for people to discuss their wishes about the type of care they would like if they become ill and unable to make their own decisions. Without a Power of Attorney family members, including spouses, can not make decisions around care or pay bills for their loved ones.
"Applying for a power of attorney when someone is ill often takes months and can be costly. By taking early action, people will be prepared for their future.”
The campaign has a dedicated website which provides valuable help and information, including a specific page dedicated to Argyll and Bute.
You can also follow the campaign on Twitter: @StartTalkingPoA and Facebook: starttalkingpoa
For further information on the campaign please contact: John Dreghorn, Programme Director (Mental Health) on 01546 604905.
Tayside encourages Power of Attorney
‘Start the Conversation’, a campaign funded by the Scottish Government, has being launched across Tayside to raise awareness of the importance of having a Power of Attorney granted to a trusted relative or friend.
This campaign is a partnership between NHS Tayside, Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross Councils and local law firms.
Through TV adverts shown at peak times in November and December, the campaign aims to encourage people to talk to trusted family and friends about establishing a Power of Attorney.
Helen Dryden, who is working on the project with colleagues in Tayside said, “Many people are unaware that if they become ill or injured and are unable to make decisions for themselves, no one else can do this on their behalf unless they have legally been given power to do so through a Power of Attorney.
“Whatever age we are, it is important to think about and make plans for the future. The first step is to have conversations about our wishes, hopes and fears about how we would like to be cared for if we become ill.
“If you are in hospital, a care environment or even your own home, no one can act for you to pay bills, manage your welfare or make key decisions unless you have made your plan.
“Having a Power of Attorney in place and can ensure that your wishes are carried out quickly without prolonged legal negotiations. Your next of kin is powerless without Power of Attorney.
“We are asking people to prepare for the future and act now.”
The campaign has a dedicated website, www.mypowerofattorney.org.uk, which provides valuable help and information.
Leaflets for people with learning disabilities
FAiR, an Edinburgh based charity, have worked in association with the University of Glasgow and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief to publish two new booklets. Preparing for your death and When someone dies, advice for those who are left behind are designed to provide accessible information to people with learning disabilities and their families.
Preparing for your death covers issues such as 'What is dying like?', 'Body changes', 'How do you tell the people close to you?' and 'Planning Ahead'. When someone dies, advice for those who are left behind explains practical matters such as registering the death and planning the funeral, as well as considering how to cope with grief.
The leaflets are available for download from the FAiR website:
When someone dies, advice for those who are left behind
'essence of a memory' photo competition
Cigarette smoke. An unusual turn of phrase. The taste of ginger biscuits. The smell of chip fat frying.
All kinds of things evoke memories of people who've died, and many of them come with an interesting anecdote.
How do you capture the essence of a memory? Can it be done in 50 well-chosen words and a photograph?
The To Absent Friends Essence of a Memory competition challenges people to do just that. It asks people to submit a photo and no more than 50 words which together evoke a story or memory of someone they love who is dead.
Winning entries will form a photo exhibition to be displayed 1st- 7th November, launching at a MSPs reception in the Scottish Parliament on 30th October.
It is planned that the To Absent Friends essence of a memory competition will be part of the Luminate Festival of Creative Ageing, and will be open for entries from 1st - 22nd October 2014. Please email to be put on the mailing list for more information closer to the time.
For more information about To Absent Friends, a people's festival of storytelling and remembrance taking place 1-7 November 2014, check out the To Absent Friends website.
YODO event at Angus College
Helen Dryden, Palliative Care Clinical Lead at Angus Community Health Partnership reflects on an event they held at Angus College, Arbroath, during Dying Matters Week 2014:
We already have some experience in holding community events about death, dying and bereavement, and this year we really wanted to try and engage with a younger age group.
We contacted the student engagement officer at Angus college and she discussed the best venue for our needs. On the 15th May we set up our stall. Three of us attended - two staff who work in palliative care and a local artist who helped organise and cut out templates for our 'tree'.
Our aim was to engage the students and staff to write a message to hang on the tree, and share what was important to them in the future.
We were positioned just outside the canteen and although it was exam week, a number of students and staff had a chat with us and took time to find out more and share their wishes. In all over 80 people came to speak and contribute to the tree of wishes. We really enjoyed the conversation, comments banter and laughs. A staff member who was just about to retire wanted to 'slide down the banister'!
We used the materials and resources available from the Good Life, Good Death, and Good Grief and Dying Matters websites plus templates of butterflies, birds and leaves to write messages on.
Wishes ranged from 'Catch a huge trout' to 'Write a book about my life'.
College staff are keen to add value and this event sparked off a request to come the following week and speak with social care students around the topic of coping with dying, being more open to discussions and the importance of 'thinking ahead'.
We hope to build on this event later on in the year as part of the To Absent Friends festival of storytelling and remembrance in November.'
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