Dying Matters Week: Events at Priscilla Bacon Lodge May 2024
6 - 12 May 2024 is Dying Matters Week, organised by the charity Hospice UK.
Every year, people around the UK use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them.
This year’s theme, ‘The way we talk about Dying Matters’, focuses on the language that we use, and conversations we have, around death and dying – specifically between healthcare professionals and patients, their carers and their families.
To mark Dying Matters Week, Priscilla Bacon Lodge would like to invite you and your loved ones to the Dying Matters Awareness Month Events that are being held throughout May 2024. This series of events is intended to remove the taboo about death and dying. Whether you have experienced a bereavement, or received a life-changing diagnosis, we hope you may find these events useful and comforting.
Thursday 2 May, 9am – 3pm
Dying Matters – Never Too Young to Start Talking, The Forum, Norwich
Come along and meet local charities and organisations at this information rich event ahead of Dying Matters Week. Palliative care clinicians from NCH&C will be there, alongside the team from the Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice Charity.
You will find various stands, which you are free to wander round and engage in some rich and informative chats, it’s an opportunity to ask questions, dispel those myths, or sit and enjoy a cup of tea in the Death Cafe which happens thanks to Café Bar Marzano.
Tuesday 7 May, 3pm
Book signing event: Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis: 7 Keys for More Choice and Control
The Friends Café, Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Century Place, Colney, Norwich
Join us in welcoming Drs. Sammy Winemaker & Hsien Seow, co-creators of the Waiting Room Revolution and authors of the new book ‘Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest’ which outlines the 7 Keys to take charge and remain in control after a life-changing diagnosis. This event will feature a reading from the book, question and answer period and book signing. This event is for patients and families, health care providers and members of the public.
Email events@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk to book your space.
Sundays throughout May, 2pm – 3pm
Held in Mind
The Chapel, Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colney
You are invited to come to the beautiful and peaceful Chapel at PBL to remember those whom you love but see no longer. There will be the opportunity to engage in various remembrance activities including candle lighting, seed planting, writing and quiet reflection. You are also welcome to add names to our Tree of Remembrance or share your story with members of the Chaplaincy. Outside the Chapel is a garden and water feature where you can rest and find peace. These are relaxed and informal events: All are welcome, and no pre-booking is required.
Further details:
The Revd Helen Garrard; Lead Chaplain at NCH&C
Elisabeth.garrard2@nchc 01603 776633
Monday 20th May, 2:30 – 4pm
Creative Writing Workshop: Writing for Wellbeing
Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colney
Welcome to the wonderful world of writing for wellbeing. Any writing, including free writing, writing stories, poems, journals and even emails can improve our mood and wellbeing. Writing is very accessible for this workshop as you don’t need any special materials other than a notebook/paper and pen/pencil. To take part, you don’t need to write with good grammar or punctuation or be an accomplished writer to benefit, just a willingness to get your own words down on the page.
In this taster session, we will use a variety of writing prompts to help you express yourself through writing. By writing down our thoughts, feelings and ideas, things can become clearer, more understandable and gives us a sense of perspective and control.
This kind of writing helps with our sense of self and has the potential for therapeutic benefit. Writing can stir up many things, so it is important to write what is within your safe limits and to take self-care. You don’t need to share your words with other people in the group. We are using the medium of writing for self-discovery, affirming our ability to know what we need to enhance our wellbeing.
Lyn Hazleton is an experienced and fully qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor. She is a published writer, an artist, a committed yoga practitioner and has worked in many different psychotherapeutic settings. She has over ten years’ experience working as a counsellor using an integrative approach. She has an established writing practice and has run numerous writing for wellbeing workshops in her local community.
Email events@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk to book your space.
21st May, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Living with Grief Workshop
Are you recently bereaved and would like to understand the way in which grief and loss can affect us in our everyday lives? This workshop will provide a space to help you make sense of the early stages of grieving so that you can find ways to support yourself, effectively.
Email events@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk to book your space.
Thursday 30 May, 11am
Living, Dying, Hoping: An Exploration through Art, Presented by Revd Dr Nick Garrard
The Conference Room, Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colney
Nick Garrard is a Rector in Norwich Diocese and Bishop’s Officer for Christian Spirituality through the Creative Arts. He holds a PhD in Art History (Open University) and has broad interests in the field of art and spirituality. He is also a Chaplaincy Volunteer at Priscilla Bacon Lodge.
Email events@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk to book your space.
Friday 31 May, 10:00 am – 12pm
Bereavement Drop-in
Day Lounge, Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colney
These informal group sessions are for anyone who has ever lost someone important, even if you have had no previous contact with the hospice. This is a supportive place for people to come together and share their experiences of grief and bereavement. Join us for a coffee and a chat to support each other in this friendly space. Free to attend.
No need to book, but email events@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk if you would like more information.
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