Thursday 23rd March 2023 is the third UK National Day of Reflection. This unique day is an opportunity to remember our loved ones who’ve died, support people that are grieving, and connect with each other.
This year Marie Curie is asking organisations to come together and create a Wall of Reflection. The walls will be places for people to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones that are sadly no longer with us. Walls of Reflection are spaces where we can share our thoughts about our loved ones that have died. These thoughts could be commemorative, celebratory or whatever is appropriate to the individual who is reflecting. And can include photos, poems, objects, music, stories, any other memories.
St Mary’s Family Bereavement Support Service invited hospice staff and volunteers to come together and build the hospice’s own Wall of Reflection.
St Mary’s Family Bereavement Support Service Practitioner Lead, Donna Parker: “It was important for us to create this space for hospice staff and volunteers. This is a time for us to remember that although we work around death, dying and bereavement everyday it is important for us to acknowledge our own personal losses, a time to come together, share our memories and support one another.”
“We are so moved by the amount of staff and volunteers who have contributed to Our Wall of Reflection and got involved in the day. There is a lovely buzz on the In Patient Unit and it’s about encouraging us to check in on each other and look after ourselves too. It is so important we can do this for each other and to remind anyone in our community we are here for them too.”
St Mary’s Family Bereavement Support Service provides psychological, emotional and spiritual support for patients throughout their illness and for their families and carers, leading up to and following bereavement. The service is available to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing loss, irrespective of time lapsed, cause or relationship. There is also no requirement to have had previous contact with the hospice services.
Click here to find out more about our Family Bereavement Support Service or contact the team on (01229) 580 305 option 6.
