Goodbye 2016 and Hello 2017

We come to the end of 2016 with mixed feelings. The two-year extension we were so pleased to announce in our End of Year 5 Report has now been rescinded by our funders, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). They are facing budget cuts, like a lot of other sectors, and are reviewing all of their services and the projects they fund. At the moment, we are safe until March 2017, but are anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of the review in the new year.

Rachael McMeacock, Project Manager of The Bucket Project, receiving her 5 year service award

The positive news is we are still moving forwards with the work of Compassionate Cities/Communities and are leading a task and finish group to develop this initiative. This could prove all the more important with the cuts facing health and social care services, where we will need the community to step in to support those that are dying, their families and carers as well as the bereaved. The Telegraph recently printed a story about a similar initiative, which you can read here. 

As part of this work, we have been compiling a list of end of life and bereavement organisations across Liverpool as well as collecting case studies to help others plan and prepare for end of life and death. If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it. Read some of the stories we have collected so far here.

Both the Helper Service and Our Time Liverpool, a time banking project, are involved with the task and finish group. They have been sharing their expertise and best practice models to help develop the direction of this work. We also have a great mix of people from a range of backgrounds who bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the group, and we thank them all for their contributions. 

Image taken from Nasir & Habib's Helper story

We hope to have established firm foundations for a Compassionate Liverpool before the potential end of The Bucket Project. If you would like to get involved or support Liverpool in getting this status, please get in touch.

You can find out more about Compassionate Communities, Compassionate Cities, Marie Curie’s Helper Service and Our Time Liverpool by clicking the highlighted text.

We would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We hope that 2017 brings us good news and the opportunity to continue working with the people of Liverpool. Look after each other, be kind and take care.

 Image taken from Desktop Nexus

New Resolutions for a New Year?

Happy New Year from The Bucket Project! Hopefully you had an enjoyable time over the holidays.

 

Image from 1234newyear.com

In December I wrote a post encouraging you to visit those you care about that may be lonely or find Christmas a difficult period, as your time can often be the most valuable present. It turns out that I had to take my own advice over the holidays after an unexpected bereavement in the family. Admittedly, I was nervous before approaching the difficult and sometimes awkward conversation of ‘giving my condolences’. What do you say? What don’t you say? Whilst there might be obvious choices that would not be appropriate in that particular situation, your presence and a listening ear can really provide reassurance and some consolation.

 

I realise more than ever, the importance of being inquisitive and asking questions about your loved one’s lives or upbringing. A year ago I suggested creating a ‘Memory Book’ together with your family or children to record special events and memorable moments, you can view it HERE. Whilst this is a fabulous way of making new memories, why not give older loved ones a book where they can tell their story? You can buy pre-made examples online from a number of sources or you can personalise your own with questions such as:

 

• How did you feel when I was born?
• Tell me about a memorable Christmas in your childhood.
• What was school like?

 

Any of these questions will give you an insight in to the lives of close friends and family prior to your relationship with them. Often people have so many interesting stories to tell, which would be lovely to keep as a reminder of them after they have passed.

 

wanderingamericantravelblog.com

Maybe this year when making resolutions, we could think about those we care about a little more. Instead of changing aesthetical aspects of ourselves such as losing weight, we think about a change on the inside. How about making a conscious effort to consider ways we can help others, such as picking up shopping for an elderly friend or spending an hour with someone we love.

 

I hope that 2015 is a happy and prosperous year for everyone and that people can find the strength and support they need when difficult times arise.

 

If you have been struggling to cope with bereavement or grief, below are some websites you may find helpful:

Dying Matters
Macmillan
Marie Curie

The Perfect Present

Image from loriannfranks.wordpress.com

At this time each year, everyone is searching for that elusive ‘perfect present’. They want to spoil their loved ones with the latest must-haves and make Christmas special. But maybe the greatest gift you could give this year can’t be bought in a shop – your time. Why not take the time to visit a relative, friend or neighbour who is alone this Christmas. Or pop in to see how someone who has been bereaved is feeling, they could probably do with some support or a listening ear at this difficult time.

 

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts won’t be found under the tree, but could be a much needed phone call or a chat over coffee. A number of people close to me find Christmas a particularly difficult holiday due to recent and not so recent bereavements. We should remember that grief isn’t something that magically disappears and family-oriented holidays can make it all the more prominent, even after years have passed.

 

Image from hbbscounselling.org

Many people don’t know how to talk to someone who is experiencing bereavement and can avoid speaking about the subject altogether as they don’t want to upset or offend that person. It can be daunting but maybe this Christmas we can start a conversation with a person who very much needs it and put our fears aside. Spending time with a loved one can be more rewarding than any gadget or game, so make memories while you can and keep in mind that even the strongest of us need support at times.

 

The Bucket Project would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If you are struggling to cope with bereavement there are a number of websites you can visit for advice, listed below:

Dying Matters
Macmillan
Marie Curie

 

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.