End of Year Four!

 

Having finished our fourth year of engaging the community about death, dying and loss and excitedly entering our fifth; we are proud to present The Bucket Project Annual Report 2014 to 2015 We’ve learned some lessons and built on successes over the past twelve months; utilising data from a number of surveys, research and direct experience.

Front cover of our report

 

We’ve launched new tools for engagement, a practical guide and thought provoking posters, which have all been well received. We have more ideas than time to accomplish them so prioritising our activities has become key. Our Day of the Dead celebrations continue to be the most popular events and will be something we will roll out throughout the year, as our primary method of engagement.

 

Some of our tools, posters and decorations

 

Whilst Dying Matters Week 2015 had huge support from partners and members, most events were not as well attended as we had hoped. We have identified potential problem areas and have developed solutions.

Death and dying is moving up the agenda of national and local government. Liverpool has adopted the Dying Well Community Charter, Public Health are advocating new approaches to end of life care and Compassionate Communities is being developed alongside Healthy Cities. We aim to continue working with the right people in key positions to keep the topic of death alive.

You can read the report in full here: The Bucket Project Annual Report 2014 to 2015 or on the Downloads page.

So Long, Farewell...

I (Amy) am writing today to say goodbye to The Bucket Project and our supporters; I am moving on to another role within the Marie Curie Hospice. It has been a privilege to work on this project and I have learned so much. I have met so many interesting people this past year and a half and would like to thank each and every one of you for discussing such a difficult topic with me and sharing your experiences.

 

The work the project undertakes is so important because it is essential that people try and plan for the future and be able to discuss the subjects of death, dying and loss. Whilst I am sad to be leaving, I am sure that whoever takes my place will bring their own creativity, flair and imagination to help progress the project.

 

Here are some of my favourite moments:

 

  

 

 

 

 

Thank you for this experience and remember, help keep the topic of death alive in Liverpool!

Photograph Appeal

 

The Bucket Project will be touring their Day of the Dead Celebration around Liverpool and would like you to contribute a photo of your late loved one. Add to our altar of touching pictures and memories and ensure your loved one is remembered.

 

We want to encourage people to share their happy memories of departed loved ones and remember them for the person they were. We shouldn’t be afraid to remember the good times after someone close to us dies, we should cherish the time we did have with them.

 

Our Day of the Dead Celebrations provide a comfortable space in a social setting where people we have loved and lost can be discussed freely. Participant have said others can block conversations about those who have died, for fear of being morbid or depressing. When we gather to celebrate lives that have passed, it is with a feeling of peace and nostalgia blanketed in heart-warming memories.

 

The Day of the Dead altars are colourful and bright, decorated with paper flowers and patterned skulls. You can design your own frame or send us your picture and we’ll frame it for you. We do ask that you also send us the person’s name and a little bit about them to go on the back of the frame. To find out when our next events take place, become a member of The Bucket Project and receive regular updates, by simply sending us your email address.

 

A touching photograph brought to our November
Day of the Dead Celebration

A tribute written on the frame

If you would like to make a contribution to our Day of the Dead altar, you can email your photographs and stories to rachael.mckindley@mariecurie.org.uk. Alternatively you can post, or drop off, a copy of your photo with text, to:

 

The Bucket Project
Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool
Speke Road
Woolton
Liverpool
L25 8QA

 

Please do not send us original photographs as we may not be able to return them to you.