A host of activities have been prepared by a Worcester charity for a campaign championing the heroes of hospice care.
St Richard’s Hospice, based in Wildwood Drive, will join forces with up to 200 other hospices across the UK for Hospice Care Week – which runs from Monday, 9th October to Sunday, 15th October.
The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘We Are Hospice Care’ – providing St Richard’s with the perfect chance to celebrate the diverse range of people involved in its care.
During the week, members of the hospice team will be in Evesham and Malvern with a giant, four-sided blackboard – encouraging the public to get talking about death, dying, bereavement and palliative care.
The ‘Before I Die’ board offers passers-by a place to leave messages of what they hope to achieve in life, or to be remembered for – while creating a friendly space for people to talk about end-of-life care.
Alice Spearing, Engagement Officer at St Richard’s, said: “The board is a great way to spark conversations around death, dying, bereavement and hospice care.
“We know talking about death can be difficult – but it is something we all have to face. Starting that conversation actually makes it easier to plan for and to deal with it when it happens.
“This Hospice Care Week we hope to not only champion the people who make St Richard’s possible – but the importance of talking about death and end-of-life care too.”
The board will be at Evesham Tesco on Wednesday, October 11, and Malvern Theatres on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13.
On Sunday, 15th October, St Richard’s will welcome in visitors to tour the hospice and its grounds, meet staff, find out about fundraising events – and enjoy tea and cake.
And throughout the week, the hospice will highlight stories about its staff, volunteers and supporters on social media, using the hashtag #WeAreHospiceCare.
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of national charity Hospice UK, said: “Hospice Care Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the rich and varied contribution of everyone who contributes to hospices across the UK and we hope the public will join in the celebrations and help share more widely the many personal stories that make up hospice care.”
If you would like to book at place for the Open Afternoon visit www.strichardsopenafternoon.eventbrite.co.uk or call Isobel Mathews on 01905 763963.