University hosts "Death Matters" event, fostering compassionate community

The University of Wolverhampton hosted the "Death Matters" event, a symposium aimed at enhancing grief and death literacy within both the University and the wider community. This event marks a significant step towards the University's goal of becoming a compassionate University, fostering resilience and compassion among its members.

The symposium featured a diverse range of professionals and academics who shared their expertise in the field of death and bereavement. Notable speakers included:

• John Adams (National Association of Funeral Directors and Advisor to Child Bereavement UK)
• Professor Karina Croucher and Emmelia Booth-Boniface (Archaeology, University of Bradford)
• Carol Wilson (Kaleidoscope), who discussed their experiences delivering bereavement support to the community.

Speaking at the Death Matters event, Louise Pimm, Lecturer in Adult Nursing, emphasised, “The importance of talking about death and dying has never been more critical. It's vital that we are open and honest with our loved ones about our preferences and wishes. The significance of this event lies in providing a safe space, an open forum, to openly discuss our experiences of death and dying across various professions. We know that avoiding the topic often robs people of time and of choices when they are at their most vulnerable and impacts people in their grief and bereavement. We only have one chance to get this right".

A powerful panel of frontline workers, including nursing, palliative care, policing, and paramedics, provided poignant insights into their experiences dealing with death, dying, and grief.

Attendees participated in a selection of creative workshops designed to facilitate the processing of death and grief literacy. These workshops offered practical examples that attendees could adapt to enhance death and grief literacy in their professional lives.

The event was hosted by award-winning performance storyteller, author, illustrator, and celebrant, Jason Buck, who guided attendees through the day's talks and activities.

"The 'Death Matters’ event was a crucial step in fostering a more compassionate community at the University of Wolverhampton and beyond. By providing a space for open dialogue and learning, we've taken a significant stride towards enhancing death and grief literacy, which is vital for building a supportive environment for everyone," said Jane Booth, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Social Policy.

Moving towards the creation of a compassionate University, the "Death Matters" event successfully created a space for open dialogue and learning, contributing to a more informed and compassionate community. The University of Wolverhampton is committed to continuing its efforts in promoting death and grief literacy and building a supportive environment for all.