Dying Matters Week 2-6 May 2022

This year for Dying Matters Awareness Week theme we’re building on the work we’ve done with our supporters and partners by looking at what it means to be ‘in a good place to die‘.Where people die is changing. More people than ever are dying at home, and the pandemic has accelerated this trend. In 2020, 28% of people in the UK died at home.

With gaps in support structures for people when they die, and for those that are left behind, people are dying without being in the right place. Often, people don’t feel prepared and they haven’t fulfilled their wishes or communicated them to loved ones.

We want to raise the profile of the care that does exist and the benefit that it gives to dying people and their families. And we want to raise our voices to highlight what needs to change for people at the end of life.

Leeds Dying Matters Week Events

Our popular annual Dying Matters event at Kirkgate Market will be back this year, on Thursday 5 May from 10-3pm, held in the event space.

Our many partnership members will have stalls available and will be around to talk, provide advice and answer your questions on the day. They are all listed on our Members page, do look up their websites for information and contact details.

As well as the event at Kirkgate Market, there will be lots of other events taking place around the city, including:

Wednesday 4 May

Local artist Ellie Harrison, from The Grief Series, will be delivering a workshop around supporting older people who have lost loved ones during the pandemic and have had to cope with their grief whilst being isolated. The workshop will take place within Bramley Elderly Action’s fortnightly drop in café which aims to create a friendly space for peer to peer support around bereavement.

After informal introductions they will have a gentle stroll with people in Horsforth Hall Park meeting at the Fink Hill entrance. Time for chat and reflection, approximately 45 minutes. Across the road is Café Yoga which has an events room, which is a comfortable quiet space and refreshments. They will continue the conversations and perhaps pick up new ones sat down with a cuppa. They will have staff and volunteers available for both the walk and inside the Café. They anticipate this part will last approximately an hour.

Thursday 5 May

Listen to a New Orleans Jazz Band, find out about wills, estate planning, lasting powers of attorney and end of life planning, decorate a coffin, sing along with a gospel choir and visit one of many information stalls.

An opportunity for older people to get information and advice about planning for death and dying in a relaxed informal setting. Solicitors will offer a ‘Q & A’ session on Lasting Power of Attorney, Making a Will and Living Wills and we’ll look at ways of starting conversations with family and friends about ‘Last Wishes’.

Friday 6 May

Swillington Elderberries has secured a representative from St Gemma’s Hospice to come and talk about end of life care/the hospice movement and their outreach services.

Event Music and memories: A place to come together and share songs that hold special memories
Time 4pm-6pm
Location Maggie’s Yorkshire, Alma Street, Harehills, LS9 7BE
Organisation Swan Song
More information www.swansongproject.co.uk or Geraldinem@swansongproject.co.uk

At The Swan Song Project we know how powerful music can be, and how 1 song can bring back 1000 memories. Our Music and Memories sessions are a chance for you to share a special song and those precious memories with others. Simply request what song you would like, the group will listen to it together and you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts or memories associated with it. This may be a song that reminds you of a loved one, of a particular time in your life or is dedicated to someone you have lost.

*Please note: All details correct at time of going to print. Please check with organisers to confirm.

Keep in touch

Dying Matters Awareness Week will be promoted across social media with relevant messages and information links; and we ask that you follow us @BetterLivesLDS and retweet using hashtags #DyingMattersLDS22 and #InAGoodPlace.

Dying Matters UK has created a social media theme for each day of Dying Matters Awareness Week. We will post and link relevant messages, information or stories and invite your comments.