Dr Kershaw’s Hospice challenges conversation taboos for Dying Matters Awareness Week

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (May 4-10), Dr Kershaw’s Hospice is challenging conversational taboos about death, dying and grief.

Led by Hospice UK, the annual campaign encourages people to open up to their friends, family, employers and colleagues and have honest discussions about end-of-life care. 

This year’s theme is ‘Let’s talk about Death and Dying’ and aims to break the stigma around the topic. 

Research by Celebration Day suggests that 30 per cent of respondents bottle up their feelings, with 27 per cent finding it difficult to talk about death with family or friends. 

But the benefits of having these discussions can often outweigh the initial discomfort people may experience. 

Katie Stretton, counsellor at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, said: “Talking about death and dying can feel hard, but it can also help people to make sense of what is happening and feel less alone.” 

Alongside its bereavement counselling, the hospice offers a range of services to support open conversations. 

These include wellbeing walks, therapeutic bereavement groups, and The Nightbird Project, where people with life-limiting illnesses can share their stories through art. 

Dr Kershaw’s has also updated its resources to encourage inclusivity. 

Books by diverse authors like Joseph Coelho and Janine Kwoh depict a wider range of experiences. 

And neuro-inclusive cards allow people with limited speech, learning disabilities or neurodivergent conditions like autism or ADHD to express their feelings. 

Katie Stretton added: “We have made sure that our bereavement resources reflect different families and types of loss. 

“Our resources are tailored for all ages – from children to young people and adults – so everyone can feel seen and included.” 

Other initiatives include Muslim bereavement boxes and a partnership with the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir temple to raise awareness of hospice care within the South-Asian community.

Find out more about Dr Kershaw’s’ Wellbeing Centre at www.drkh.org.uk/wellbeingcentre.