A compassionate community is one in which everyone recognises that we all have a role in supporting each other, particularly during periods of crisis and loss.
It’s about making a difference by enabling people within the community to make a personal connection with another person in whatever way shows compassion, kindness, and care.
By delivering a series of workshops openly talking about death, dying and bereavement, you will learn more about body language, the spoken word and how taking time to listen can make a real difference.
You’ll then be able to go into your community, better informed and feeling more confident in having these conversations.
Compassionate Communities Lead
Community Connector
FREE | FACE-TO-FACE & VIRTUAL
A compassionate community is one in which everyone recognises that we all have a role in supporting each other, particularly during periods of crisis and loss. We want to create a community of Compassionate Friends across the areas where we deliver care to help dispel the myths about dying and bereavement, helping communities to be better informed and more confident in a having these conversations.
Compassionate friends skills workshop The main areas covered:
Explaining what a Compassionate Community is.
Interpersonal skills – how to use your listening skills, body language, spoken word and empathy.
Dispelling the myths and taboos around talking about death and dying.
How to start a conversation – questions to ask and potential responses to help you deal with the conversation.
Considering your own networks within your community and how you could tap into these.
Looking after yourself.
Useful resources.
Making your pledge to your community.
Any healthcare professional or member of the public in the Luton, Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes areas.
Wednesday 22 January 2025 – 2-4pm
Virtual
Monday 19 May – 10am-12pm
Luton Libraries
Monday 29 September – 10am-12pm
Living Well Centre, Keech Hospice, Bedford
Wednesday 21 January 2026 – 2-4pm
Virtual
FREE | VIRTUAL 
Have you thought about what will happen to your digital footprint? What do we mean by digital assets? This workshop will provide you with an understanding of what your digital legacy means, what your digital assets are, where to go for help and how to turn this into conversation with family and friends.
Any healthcare professional or member of the public in the Luton, Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes areas
Tuesday 14 January 2025 – 10-11am
Thursday 15 May – 10-11am
Thursday 18 September – 2-3pm
Tuesday 13 January 2026 – 2-3pm
FREE | VIRTUAL
A series related to inequalities and inequity within palliative care. The main focus is to highlight many lesser taught and misunderstood areas in care that require addressing when providing care for patients and relatives who are living with a life limiting condition.
Who can attend?
Any health care professional or non-care professionals wishing to expand knowledge and awareness within these areas of need.
Dates
Talking More About Inclusive Healthcare
Tuesday 1 April, 2-3pm
Palliative Care and the Homeless Community
Friday 9 May, 2-3pm
What Have I Done To Deserve This: addressing the needs for the LGBTQIA+ community living with a palliative illness
Friday 6 June, 2-3pm
Racialism and Casteism in Palliative Care
Wednesday 2 July, 2-3pm
Improving Palliative Care within Prison Services
Wednesday 3 September, 2-3pm
Living with Learning Disabilities and a Life-limiting Condition
Wednesday 1 October, 2-3pm
Addressing Palliative Care Needs within Frail and Ageing Communities
Wednesday 5 November, 2-3pm
Improving Palliative Care for People Living in Poverty and Deprivation
Tuesday 9 December, 2-3pm
Palliative Care for the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Communities
Wednesday 7 January 2026, 2-3pm
Mental Health and Palliative Care
Friday 6 February 2026, 2-3pm
FREE | FACE-TO-FACE
No Barriers Here is an equity-oriented, arts-based, approach to advance care planning, aimed at people, groups and communities who may be marginalised in healthcare.
It is delivered through a series of three workshops, delivered by facilitators trained in the use of arts-based methods and with experience in advance care planning. Each workshop is designed to explore a different aspect of the advance care planning process.
Each workshop uses different arts-based methods to enable verbal and less verbal exploration and expression of views, experiences and preferences.
The delivery schedule for the workshops is flexible and can be tailored to meet the preferences of the participants. Options include conducting the workshops as a series of weekly sessions or consolidating all three workshops into a single day. This approach ensures that the workshops can accommodate varying schedules and learning preferences, providing participants with a convenient and effective learning experience.
Who can attend?
Any healthcare professional or member of the public.
11am-1pm
To be confirmed
Wednesday 28 May
Tuesday 12 August
Tuesday 2 December
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