Trinity Hospice is joining forces with healthcare partners and community spaces to encourage people to have open conversations about death and dying during Dying Matters Awareness Week.

The annual campaign is led by Hospice UK runs from 4th-10th May, and the theme ‘Let’s talk about death and dying’ is about encouraging all people, across all communities, to get involved in what can been seen as the taboo subject. And across the Fylde coast, there are a number of events planned to help them.

The Bispham hospice is opening its doors to the public on Wednesday 6th May to give people the chance to see first-hand what the hospice has to offer in a guided tour through the building, explaining the support it gives to people with terminal illness.

It’s also holding a Grave Talk Café on Thursday 7th May – a drop in event offering a safe space for people to talk about dying, funerals and bereavement.

Across the community, there is a Macmillan Hub Drop-in at Heart of the Hub Café, Fleetwood for advice, support and signposting on Tuesday 5th May, information and advice on the mezzanine at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and learning events for healthcare professionals through the week.

Trinity’s Living Well Service Team Leader, Melissa Openshaw, said: “Each year, Dying Matters Awareness Week gives us the chance to work with our partners across the Fylde coast to promote the importance of talking about death and dying, helping to make decisions

about where people want to be when they approach the end of their lives, how they want to be cared for and what they would like to achieve before that time comes.

“We’re delighted to be able to open the doors of our hospice to shine a light on the work our incredible teams do, and show the difference they make to our patients as part of this week.

“And for the first time, we’re hosting a Grave Talk Café – a drop-in session with refreshments to help facilitate these conversations in a safe environment.

“Our events will complement the work taking place across the Fylde coast by our partners across health and social care, which we are proud to be part of. Death and dying remains, for some, such a taboo subject, but planning for the end of life is really important.

“The more we talk about our wishes, the more our loved ones can be confident that, when the time comes, they are helping to give us the death we want. The events taking place across the Fylde coast this week will help our communities be comfortable when talking about death and dying, and take that home to their loved ones to extend the conversation.”

Dying Matters is also an opportunity for Trinity to share news about its involvement in Good Grief Blackpool – the first grief festival in the town that will open up conversations about bereavement and loss through art. It takes place in October, and will feature a varied programme of workshops, events and activities.