Statement and response on Assisted Dying – Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices’ response to Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passing its second reading in the House of Commons, Friday 29 November 2024.
As we have previously stated, Pilgrims Hospices is neutral on the issue of assisted dying – that is, we do not support or oppose a change in the law.
The vote by MPs in favour of assisted dying marks a huge societal change in our country.MPs have approved the Bill as presented, in principle. However, approval in principle and implementation in practice are very different things. There is much to work through for what this means for all hospices across the country, and, more importantly, what this means for our patients, their families, our community, staff and volunteers.
We welcome the fact that this debate has facilitated a national conversation on death and dying, and what is needed to make a death a ‘good death’. We have been encouraged, in recent weeks, that people on all sides have been unified on one point. During the debate, MPs were abundantly clear that palliative and end-of-life care service provision in the UK is not currently sufficient.
There was universal agreement on the vital role that hospices play in living and dying well, that hospice funding is inadequate, and that some people are not getting the care they need.
Addressing the funding crisis affecting hospices is more urgent in light of Parliament’s decision on Friday. We urge Government to act now with an emergency funding package and a sustainable long-term solution to the hospice funding crisis.
Until then, in line with our vision, our priority is to ensure that everyone in east Kent has access to the best possible palliative care and support when and where they need it.
Pilgrims Hospices
3 December 2024
2nd December 2024
National Grief Awareness Week 2024
From 2-8 December 2024, National Grief Awareness Week offers a vital opportunity to shine a light on the emotional toll of grief and the support available to those who need it most.
At Pilgrims Hospices, we believe that no one should have to face grief alone. That’s why our Stepping Stones bereavement services are here for every adult in east Kent, offering compassionate and practical support, no matter the circumstances of their loss.
Stepping Stones provides a safe space for individuals to connect with others who understand their pain, offering group support sessions across Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet. Our volunteers, trained to guide people through the complex emotions of grief, help create an environment where individuals can share their stories, learn from others, and find solace in new friendships. These bereavement support groups are open to everyone, fostering a community where healing begins through shared experiences and support.
In 2019, Pilgrims launched Stepping Stones Bereavement Cafés, which are held monthly at each of our local hospices. These cafés offer a relaxed, welcoming space where bereaved adults can meet, talk, and learn coping strategies, while enjoying refreshments. Each 1.5-hour session is designed to be intimate, giving participants the choice to engage as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. The Ashford café meets on the first Friday of each month, Canterbury on the first Saturday, and Thanet on the last Friday.
For those who find comfort in nature, our Stepping Stones Bereavement Walk & Talk groups offer a unique form of support. These gentle walks, held weekly across east Kent, allow participants to connect with others while benefiting from fresh air and light exercise. Whether walking around Conningbrook Lakes in Ashford, Toddlers Cove in Canterbury, Pegwell Nature Reserve in Cliffsend or Westcliff, Ramsgate, these outings provide a peaceful environment for healing.
As we expand our bereavement services, we’re excited to launch new bereavement support services across east Kent. To make this possible, we’re looking for caring, empathetic individuals to join us as volunteers. If you’re passionate about supporting others through grief, we invite you to reach out to our Bereavement Services Coordinators at [email protected] or call 01233 504 127(Option 2) to learn more about how you can help.
At Pilgrims Hospices, we believe in the power of community and connection. This National Grief Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to come together to acknowledge the pain of loss and discover the healing that comes through shared support.
You don’t have to walk this path alone – Stepping Stones is here for you.
Grief is a natural, normal and very necessary response to loss, but one that often leaves us feeling overwhelmed, isolated and fearful of facing a future without our loved one.
National Grief Awareness week encourages empathy, compassion, and support for those who are grieving, emphasising that grief is a universal and often challenging part of the human experience, it aims to break the stigma surrounding loss and grief.
This week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of grief, and to create safe spaces for individuals to share their stories and find support.
Throughout this week, Pilgrims is shining a light on our Stepping Stones bereavement services, highlighting the importance of support, education and community connection in the bereavement journey.
2 December 2024 Grief Awareness Our pre-recorded bite-sized Grief Awareness session gives an introduction to how healthy grief works, looking at some of the theories that help us to explain and understand the grieving process, and identifying normal reactions many people experience when they are touched by grief.
4 December 2024Become a Stepping Stones bereavement support volunteer Read an interview with Maria Spencer, who was inspired to become a bereavement support volunteer after Stepping Stones helped through her own grief journey.
5 December 2024How Stepping Stones can help Read the stories of Fraser and Matt, who have been supported through their grief by Stepping Stones bereavement services.
6 December 2024Grief Awareness Training & Education courses Find out more about our Grief Awareness training courses suitable for anyone who provides support to bereaved people.
7 December 2024Community bereavement support An interview with Dawn Baldwin of the Wooden Box Café, who approached Pilgrims when she wanted to set up a bereavement group in her own cafe, at the heart of her community.
8 December 2024Learning to live and love again after loss An interview with Kevin and Dympna, who connected through Pilgrims bereavement support and became united in their grief after both losing their partners.
National Grief Awareness Week takes place 2-8 December 2024. It raises awareness of the impact of grief and loss on a national platform. To find out more, visit thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
