Compassionate Communities is part of a growing social movement transforming relationships, health and well-being in the UK and beyond. Based in the public health palliative care philosophy, we collaborate with community partners, healthcare organisations, local services, and other hospices, to education, community partners, government and businesses – anyone and everyone who wants to enhance skills and develop community-led solutions to make communities healthier and more compassionate.
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, towns, neighbours, classrooms, and workplaces 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.
Make it easier to have those conversations about death and dying so that people are better informed and able to make choices and decisions about what matters to them.
Build a Compassionate Community which includes families, neighbours, local employers, educational organisations, spiritual support as well as other health and social care professionals such as doctors and nurses.
Empower communities to support each other to be prepared and enable a good death wherever possible and live well to the very end of our lives.
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.
Monday 28 May 2024 – 10am-12pm
Luton Library
Monday 23 September 2024 – 10am-12pm
Keech Hospice Care, Bedford, 3 Linden Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire. MK40 2DD
Wednesday 22 January 2025 – 2-4pm
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 7 May 2024 – 12-1pm
Tuesday 10 September 2024 – 2-3pm
Tuesday 14 January 2025 – 10-11am
FREE | FACE-TO-FACE
Come enjoy a slice of cake, tea and a group chat where we talk about death, bereavement and the end-of-life.
Together, let’s shatter the silence around discussing death.
Death café is not a bereavement support or counselling setting
March date coming soon
Any member of the public in the Luton, Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes areas.
Venue:
Luton Central Library, St George’s Square, Luton, LU1 2NG.
FREE | VIRTUAL
Managing stress and our own wellbeing can be challenging especially in palliative and end-of-life care, therefore with this in mind, this workshop will aim to offer some support and advice that will be helpful for your overall wellbeing.
Learn strategies and ways of managing yourself and how to cope in difficult situations.
Who can attend?
Any health care professional or member of the public who wishes to learn ways of coping with difficulties.
Dates:
Thursday 16 May 2024 – 2-3pm
FREE | VIRTUAL
For people in the LGBTQIA+ community there are some additional concerns and worries whilst living with a palliative illness. This session is to raise awareness of these issues and discuss how they can be challenged and overcome and what changes could be made to support people to manage during this time.
An overview of unconscious bias and how to recognise the individual needs for the LGBTQIA+ community diagnosed with a palliative illness.
Who can attend?
Any health care professional or member of the public wanting to explore more ways of challenging diversity
Dates:
Tuesday 2 July 2024 – 2-3pm
FREE | FACE-TO-FACE
Ever wondered about the things that will hold value to you at the end of your life? Do you think it’s too early to contemplate the end-of-life because you’re young, or healthy?
Join us at our free workshops, where we will be getting creative with arts and craft to explore what matters most to you and gently unlock conversations about the end-of-life
Who can attend?
Any healthcare professional or member of the public.
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