HeART of Palliative Care winning designs unveiled

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has unveiled the winning designs in its ‘HeART of Palliative Care’ bereavement card competition.

The initiative was undertaken by the Trust’s new Mid-Ulster Community Palliative Care team in partnership with CRUSE Bereavement Support and St Mary’s Grammar School in Magherafelt.  Year 10 pupils were invited to take part after participating in a ‘Grief Ally’ workshop which explored how grief can impact young people, coping strategies and how peer support can help.

During Dying Matters Awareness Week, the winners were announced at a special event hosted by the school. Well done to Imogen (first place), Zuzanna (second place) and Dan (third) who were presented with a certificate and gift voucher while all those who took part received a certificate and a token of appreciation.

Public vote

The pupils’ artwork went on display in Meadowlane Shopping Centre, with the public encouraged to vote for their favourites before the overall winners were selected by local artists and a service user.

The cards will now be sent by the Community Specialist Palliative Care Team to family members and loved ones they continue to support following a death.

Fiona Gilmour, the Northern Trust’s Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement Lead, said: “This has been an exciting opportunity to engage with local young people on this important topic, to help increase their awareness and understanding of grief and loss and promote compassionate peer support to those who experience bereavement.

“We are delighted that the school embraced this emotive project and that pupils engaged with the workshop and produced such beautiful artwork.”

Wellbeing

Gavin Quinn, Senior Leader in St. Mary’s, added: “Schools play an important role in promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being among young people.  This includes equipping them with the skills to cope with the challenges they will encounter in life, encouraging them to seek help if they are struggling and developing their understanding of how they can support each other at times of need.

“The Grief Ally workshop recognises the reality that, in any school community, there will be young people who have been affected by bereavement.  It provides a space for pupils to discuss this sensitive issue and to develop their awareness of how they can help someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.”

The Community Palliative Care team provides care and support to people and their families at home and includes a palliative care dietitian, social worker, chaplain and doctor. It works closely with GPs, district nursing and community hospice nurses, with a focus on helping people to live well with their palliative illness and providing support and comfort in the last days of life.

Bereavement support and palliative care resources

Hope Again from Cruse Bereavement Support

Bereaved NI 

Compassionate Communities Northern Ireland 

 

 

 

10th May 2024