People of Lambeth urged to get talking about death this Dying Matters Week
Lambeth residents are being urged to talk about death, dying and bereavement this Dying Matters Week (10-16 May 2021) with an exciting programme of free, virtual events on offer from the Lambeth Advance Care Planning Consortium.
The annual awareness week kicks off this year with a Zoom Death Café on Monday 10th May, a chance for local residents to chat with others about any aspect of death they would like to explore. On Thursday 13th May, free, specialist support is on hand to help people plan ahead and ensure their end of life wishes are understood and recorded. The following week on Thursday 20th May, a free session is available on how people can appoint a Lasting Power of Attorney, a trusted person to make important health decisions on their behalf, should they become unwell in future.
Corinna Hyman, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager at Compassion in Dying, which leads the Consortium alongside Healthwatch Lambeth, said:
“The pandemic has sadly thrust death and dying into the spotlight over the past year, with many of us having lost loved ones or been forced to confront our own mortality. Dying Matters Week presents an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and put plans in place for the future to help ensure we can have a good death when the time comes, whatever that means to each of us. No one plans to become unwell, but planning ahead now means you can rest assured that if you do become unable to say what you want, those around you will know your wishes.
“In Lambeth this year we have several online events open to everyone, whether you simply want to chat with like-minded people or receive practical support about how you can make sure what matters most to you for the end of your life is known and followed. We are also encouraging people contribute to our evolving virtual ‘wall’ of people’s, musings on what a good death would be like for them.”
What’s on in Lambeth this Dying Matters Week:
- All week: ‘Before I Die…’ Virtual Wall
- Monday 10th May 12-2pm: Zoom Death Café with the Advanced Care Planning Consortium (registration details below)
- Thursday 13 May 1-2pm for healthcare professionals; 5.30-7.30pm for local residents: Lambeth Advance Care Planning Day
- Thursday 20th May 3.30-4.30pm: Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare
ENDS