Festival of Compassion encourages open conversations about dying, death and grief
Gateshead's first festival of educational, creative and inspiring events aims to help people feel more comfortable discussing dying, death and grief.
Every day, people face the realities of dying, death and grief — yet many feel unprepared and unsupported. Compassionate Gateshead, a partnership between local charity Edberts House and Queen Elizabeth hospital's palliative care team, hopes to change that.
From 12 February until 18 March, residents of all ages can join events and activities from practical advice on end-of-life planning to creating memory books and film screenings that encourage open conversations.
The festival will be officially launched by Compassionate Gateshead at Gateshead Central Library with Mayor Cllr Freda Geddes, special guests and community experts.
At the launch, people will hear from inspirational guests, including best-selling author Ann Cleeves, the widow of Hairy Biker Dave, Lili Myers and a world-renowned palliative care physician, author, and speaker, Dr Kathryn Mannix. They'll also enjoy a performance from Sing United, the opportunity to make flower arrangements with Blooming Brave, and find out more about a range of end-of-life and grief support services in Gateshead.
Julian Prior, project manager at Compassionate Gateshead, said:
"Our hope is that the festival will be accessible and engaging for everyone, no matter what their experiences are of dying, death and grief.
"There are activities for all ages across the borough, as well as online events. We hope this means people will feel comfortable attending with their loved ones, as well as alone, where they can meet new people, feel inspired, and know that they are not alone."
Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Gateshead Council, said:
"We're proud to be supporting Gateshead's first Festival of Compassion, and the brilliant work of Compassionate Gateshead to help make Gateshead a borough where no one faces dying, death, or grief alone.
"Several of the events will be hosted by our libraries as warm and welcoming community spaces. We'd encourage as many people as possible to see what's on during the festival, and to find out more about supporting others who've been bereaved, as well as the support on offer to you and your loved ones."
Gateshead's first festival of educational, creative and inspiring events aims to help people feel more comfortable discussing dying, death and grief.
Every day, people face the realities of dying, death and grief — yet many feel unprepared and unsupported. Compassionate Gateshead, a partnership between local charity Edberts House and Queen Elizabeth hospital's palliative care team, hopes to change that.
From 12 February until 18 March, residents of all ages can join events and activities from practical advice on end-of-life planning to creating memory books and film screenings that encourage open conversations.
The festival will be officially launched by Compassionate Gateshead at Gateshead Central Library with Mayor Cllr Freda Geddes, special guests and community experts.
At the launch, people will hear from inspirational guests, including best-selling author Ann Cleeves, the widow of Hairy Biker Dave, Lili Myers and a world-renowned palliative care physician, author, and speaker, Dr Kathryn Mannix. They'll also enjoy a performance from Sing United, the opportunity to make flower arrangements with Blooming Brave, and find out more about a range of end-of-life and grief support services in Gateshead.
Julian Prior, project manager at Compassionate Gateshead, said:
"Our hope is that the festival will be accessible and engaging for everyone, no matter what their experiences are of dying, death and grief.
"There are activities for all ages across the borough, as well as online events. We hope this means people will feel comfortable attending with their loved ones, as well as alone, where they can meet new people, feel inspired, and know that they are not alone."
Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Gateshead Council, said:
"We're proud to be supporting Gateshead's first Festival of Compassion, and the brilliant work of Compassionate Gateshead to help make Gateshead a borough where no one faces dying, death, or grief alone.
"Several of the events will be hosted by our libraries as warm and welcoming community spaces. We'd encourage as many people as possible to see what's on during the festival, and to find out more about supporting others who've been bereaved, as well as the support on offer to you and your loved ones."
