Death Cafe Woolton

Due to the success of our last Death Café, we have decided to run our next one in the charming No. 8 – Main Street Coffee café, Woolton, L25 5JA on the 24th February 2014. We are very excited about our second event and are proud to be hosting it in such a welcoming and unique venue. It will be a comfortable place where we can have open and honest conversation about death.

As we have mentioned in a previous article, the Death Café is a global initiative stemming from the original Café Mortels in Switzerland, aiming to increase the awareness of death to help people make the most of their lives. There has been a tremendous response to Death Café’s across the country and worldwide, evidencing the need for a comfortable place for people to relax and openly discuss death.

Free Cupcakes at the Death Cafe!
(Image from eatitdetroit.com)

This event is completely free with complimentary sandwiches, cake, tea and interesting conversation! The Café will take place from 4-6pm and we invite you to join us for what will be an intriguing evening.

Book your place now and join the discussion by emailing amy.king@mariecurie.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!

In case you are not familiar with Woolton, here is a handy map to help you out:

No.8 - Main Street Coffee, Woolton, L25 5JA
(Google Maps)

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Journeys and Developments

I am pleased to announce we will soon be launching a new page on the blog, which will feature guest reviews of films, books and events with themes regarding death, dying and loss. If you would like to get involved and have your review featured, email your name and review to Amy.King@mariecurie.org.uk or contact us via Facebook or Twitter. 

Image from abucketlist.com

We have also recently uploaded our ‘Attitudes toward Death, Dying and Loss’ survey to the blog, which you can find under ‘Downloads’ or fill in online by clicking HERE.

As you may know, yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day. People across the country attended events in remembrance of the persecution of Jewish and other communities by Nazi Germany in the Second World War. They also gathered to remember the 20th anniversary of the genocide that took place in Bosnia in 1994. 

The national theme this year was Journeys. There are millions of individuals who were affected by the holocaust and each of them had their own experiences and journeys through horrific times. It is important for future generations to remember and recognise that these events can never happen again. However, there is still discrimination and injustice happening in the world every day, which we should remember not only on a designated date but all year round.

Image from www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

The Museum of Liverpool hosted a special day of events to mark the Holocaust Memorial on Sunday 26th January. Although this event has been and gone, year round you can explore Jewish Community history in Liverpool through a self-led trail around the museum.

What did you do for Holocaust Memorial Day? Let us know at @Bucket_Project

Goodbye Hayley

Image from www.thesun.co.uk

There have been mixed reviews regarding Monday night’s emotional final farewell to one of Coronation Street’s long-standing characters, Hayley Cropper. The storyline has been played out over the last few months, capturing the hearts of viewers nationwide and covering a number of sensitive issues. 

Watching Soaps has become a normal and daily occurrence in many households, with people forming emotional bonds with beloved characters. This is one factor that has really made the storyline hit home. However, many people have lost someone dear or have had some experience with terminal illness and the effects this can have on not only the afflicted, but their loved ones too, making the last episode particularly difficult to watch.

Image from digitalspy.co.uk

Whether you agree or disagree with the topics raised, the show has managed to spark debate regarding sensitive and often controversial issues, creating an open forum for death, dying and loss to be discussed. 

What did you think about this storyline and how it was dealt with? Let us know at @Bucket_Project.

New Year, Old Memories

Image from www.juniorathletics.co.uk

Happy New Year from The Bucket Project! My name is Amy King and I am the new Administrative Assistant at Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool. 

The celebration of a new year has been around since ancient times, with the first recorded celebration thought to date back to 4,000 years ago! Cultures around the world mark the beginning of a new year with their own individual rituals and events, from eating a specific food to setting off fireworks. One of the most recognised traditions here in Britain is to make ‘resolutions’, often regarding self-improvement from losing weight to quitting smoking. However, the hectic lives we lead today are encouraging people to spend more time with their families and friends. Recent personal events have showed me that making memories are just as important as recording them to remember and share in the future.

As you can imagine, I am thrilled to be embarking upon this journey with The Bucket Project and I am eager to meet new faces at our future events this year. Joining the team has made me realise that life is also a journey and can be an exciting one at that. Whilst creating a bucket list is fantastic, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the experiences you have already had. Writing a memory book can be a great way to capture the important events that have happened in your life and share them with the future generations of your family.

Image from www.temptationgifts.com

Memory books are one option for storing memories and are available to buy online or in high street stores. These are great for working through with family and friends and if you have a creative side why not attempt to make a personalised book including photos and other special memorabilia? If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some starting points:

• What is your earliest childhood memory?

• What fashion style was popular when you were younger?

• Did you have a favourite song? What is your favourite now?

The possibilities are endless and this is a unique way to pass on your memories to your loved ones, which can stay with them after you are gone. So why not make writing a memory book one of your resolutions this year? What other resolutions have you made? Tell us at @Bucket_Project.