Birmingham hospice wants to inspire conversation with ‘open day’

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is opening its doors this week to the public, in the hopes of getting people to discuss death more openly.

On Friday 17 May, the hospice is holding an ‘open day’ to start and encourage the much-avoided conversation.

Coinciding with national campaign ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’, the Selly Park-based charity will give people the opportunity to tour its facilities and garden, talk to staff and volunteers about what really happens at a hospice, and explore therapeutic arts.

There will also be Q&A sessions with end of life doulas, hospice nurses, and someone who has recently experienced hospice care – giving people the chance to ask questions they might not have had the opportunity to ask before.

As well as the open day, the Hospice will also be hosting a live Q&A chat with former palliative care doctor and author of ‘With The End in Mind’, Kathyrn Mannix.

Sharon Hudson, who is community development and partnerships lead at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, believes talking about death can “only be a good thing” as it allows people to share any worries, fears or wishes that they might have.

She said: “For many of us, talking about death can feel like a really difficult conversation to have and yet, all of us will experience it at some point in our lives. A lot of people are frightened of saying the wrong thing, worried about upsetting someone, or simply don’t know how to bring the topic up – and for those that are dying, sometimes denial can play a part in it too.

“By having the confidence to open up these conversations as part of everyday life, we can enable many more people and their loved ones to have the best possible quality of life as they deal with illness and approach dying.

“We hope that by welcoming people to Birmingham St Mary’s, we can help positively change their outlook on hospices, death and dying. We look forward to getting people down here and altering any preconceptions they may have.”

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provides vital care and support to local people who are living with life-limiting illness. This year, it’s celebrating 40 years of care across Birmingham and Sandwell. It now supports 400 people every day.

The open day will take place between 1.30pm and 5pm at 176 Raddlebarn Road, Selly Park, B29 7DA. It’s free of charge to attend but it’s advised to book tickets here.