Values

A series of public meetings in Inverclyde explored what people felt it was like to live in Inverclyde, and discussions were encapsulated into three words which became Compassionate Inverclyde's guiding values:

• Compassionate
• Helpful
• Neighbourly

This helped to ensure that there was a shared understanding of the intrinsic values of the community.

Strategic Objectives

From these community values the Board derived a set of strategic objectives for Compassionate Inverclyde:

Improve wellbeing

People facing the challenges of bereavement, loneliness, survivorship in Inverclyde receive compassionate group support that improves their wellbeing.

Promote compassionate citizenship

Patients and their families facing the challenges of palliative and end of life care in Inverclyde will know how to help and support each other compassionately at times of increased health need and in bereavement.

Raise awareness and education

Public engagement/involvement will promote compassion, celebrate life and commemorate the dead and will be an integral part of the local civic calendar.

Promote compassionate organisations

Local workplaces and other bodies will have compassionate, supportive, life-limiting illness and bereavement policies in place.

Approach

In addition, throughout the project, efforts have always been made to:

• Use clean, jargon-free language that feels natural to the community.
• Keep things easy and accessible to get involved in.
• Model positive behaviours - kindness, acceptance and equality.