Read all about it! Death Positive Library now open in Cookstown

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is working with Compassionate Communities NI and Libraries NI to get more people talking and reading about death.

As part of their collaboration a new Death Positive Library has opened in Cookstown, which will give people access to a range of books on dying, death and bereavement, and enable readers to explore ideas and thoughts from a range of different perspectives.

The initiative aims to remove barriers around talking about advanced illness, caregiving, death and bereavement, with books available for different age groups and needs, including children and easy read formats.

Studies indicate that more than 70% of us avoid talking about end of life. We live in a death phobic society and yet we will face our own death one day. We will be impacted by death and dying multiple times perhaps as carers, as people living with bereavement and ultimately when we die. Our reluctance to talk about the ‘D’ word, can leave those who are impacted by advanced illness feeling socially isolated and lonely.

Fiona Gilmour, Macmillan Palliative Care Service Improvement Lead, said: “This new addition to Cookstown Library marks the sixth Death Positive Library in Northern Ireland. Book loans from existing libraries confirm we want to know more about end of life. The message is clear, death is no surprise – so let’s start reading and talking about it – and get on living.”

“It is important that we support people living with palliative conditions and those experiencing grief, and encourage a planned approach to all aspects of preparing for and living with death.  The Compassionate Communities NI website hosts a range of helpful resources and our new Death Positive Library initiative with Libraries NI allows for greater access to helpful information that people need.

Libraries NI Service Development Manager Kirsty McClelland said: “Libraries serve as vital community hubs, offering welcoming spaces where individuals can access resources on a number of important matters.

“We hope that this curated collection of books will assist readers in arming themselves with information relating to death and dying, and encourage people to foster greater openness and understanding within our community.

“We extend our gratitude to Northern Trust for their generous donation and to all who joined us for the launch event. Whether borrowing one of the books from Cookstown Library or simply spending time with a book in the branch, we invite everyone to participate in this valuable free resource.”

Find out more from Libraries NI

Access resources from Compassionate Communities NI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14th May 2024