A Scottish Compassionate Communities Network event, run by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief.
160 delegates attended this conference on 2nd May 2019 in Glasgow, exploring practical approaches for people and organisations wanting to build compassion in their own community relating to deteriorating health, death, dying and bereavement.
Drawing on 40 years experience as a social worker, and 14 years as Chief Executive of St Christopher’s Hospice, Barbara provided a thought-provoking exploration of some of the current issues and challenges facing those wishing to ‘unleash’ the compassion within themselves and their communities.
Most of the day was dedicated to sharing a variety of work taking place in Scotland. Topics included:
The conference also launched two new national initiatives:
Delegates chose from one of four break-out sessions:
Breakout A: Needs at the time of death
Pushing up the Daisies is a Scotland wide charity network that provides opportunities for people to learn how to care for the body of a loved one at home after their death. Kate Clark, founder member of Pushing up the Daisies led this session, exploring “needs at the time of death”, including laws, practicalities, different people’s needs, and current tradition and practice.
Breakout B: The Truacanta Project - a new project to support communities to take local action
Launching this May, the The Truacanta Project aims to support communities who are interested in taking local action to improve people’s experiences of death, dying, loss and care. Community groups and organisations have been invited express an interest in being part of the project, and successful applicants will receive dedicated community development support for their local project. This break-out session provided more information about the project and how to get involved.
Breakout C: End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone (EASE)
The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care is developing a course for members of the public to enable people to be more comfortable and confident supporting family/community members with issues they face during dying, death and bereavement. This session provided more information about the aims, structure and content of the of the course, how it will be delivered, and opportunities to get involved in testing and facilitating the course.
Breakout D: Listening and talking
This session will explored some simple tips that can enable us all to feel more confident and comfortable around sensitive topics.