Into the Labyrinth...

This is the first post of 2016 from The Bucket Project and I originally intended to write about resolutions, the New Year and remembrance. Instead, I find myself drawn to writing about the death of David Bowie, which was announced today.

While many other articles are focusing on his influential music career and how he defined the 70s; I’m fondly reminiscing about my favourite childhood film from the 80s - Labyrinth. I’d watch this film obsessively and would annoyingly recite the script as I watched and rewinding if I got one word wrong. The influence that this movie had on me can’t be measured in any unit I’m aware of.

 David Bowie as Jareth in Labyrinth, 1986

The key message I took from the fantasy film is that life isn’t fair. But we can deal with that and anything life throws at us, if we have those we love around us and take time to help out others in times of need. No one is getting out of this alive so let’s live the best life we can, and help others to do the same.

The Goblin King, Jareth, may have been the villain of my favourite film, but his fantasy character oozed charisma and charm and was the person who delivered the key message the most. It is strange how something as simple as a childhood movie can shape attitudes and behaviours in our adult lives. I, for one, carry this deep message with me in daily life and it helps me get through tough situations. If I ever find myself saying “it’s not fair” my mind responds with “no, it’s not fair, but life goes on.” And I have Labyrinth to thank for that.

"Time is short"

Sadly, David Bowie and Jim Henson won’t get the chance to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of this iconic film on 27^th June 2016, though David Bowie did get a last chance to celebrate his recent 69^th family with loved ones.

I won’t end with a New Year message, but rather with a hope that you enjoy every day in your own ways, make many happy memories and look after each other.

Day of the Dead Mexico: Summary

Our celebrations for Day of the Dead at the end of November were a huge success. We would like to thank Liverpool Central Library and WorldMuseum Liverpool for being gracious hosts and providing the perfect settings for people of all ages to engage on the topic of death.

The first event took place at Central Library and we had people there from start to finish, with approximately 40 people visiting our stand and around 15 stopping to have a chat. Grandparents with their grandchildren spoke about their late loved ones; a mother shared stories of her daughter that she felt she couldn’t openly discuss with many others; two teenage girls brought photographs of their beloved grandad and pet dog; and a mother with her friend and three children decorated a frame and left a beautiful message for their ‘Pop’. 

 Section of our Day of the Dead altar

We were so busy that we ran out of frames after the first hour! The stock was replenished before the next day of celebrations and crafts at the World Museum on Sunday 29^th November. And it was a good job we did. Numerous families joined us in the Treasure House Theatre and our craft tables were extremely popular, with almost 100 people visiting us and getting involved. A huge thank you to Adam for drumming up interest while simultaneously promoting the Destination Space Exhibition in his astronaut costume!

Our crafters busily decorating

Our crafts table had glittery stickers, plasticine and frames to decorate, alongside printed pictures of the Day of the Dead skulls to colour in. We had some beautiful submissions that we are hoping to display at our next event. Others loved their customised pictures so much, they took them home with them, but we were lucky enough to capture a couple of pictures of them showing them off.

 Our amazing artists proudly displaying their works of art 

               

The events were extremely popular, and we were asked when the next one will be. One young girl had attended our previous Day of the Dead Celebrations in the museum in Dying Matters AwarenessWeek 2014 and said she’d be back when we do another one! Initial talks about another event in half-term week early next year, have begun. If it does go ahead, it will be even more craft based and interactive. Watch this space for news of upcoming events. 

Remembrance Events in Liverpool

28-29th November 2015

Our Day of the Dead celebrations are taking place this weekend in Liverpool City Centre at the Central Library and World Museum. Over the road at St George’s Hall, you can also pay your respects and view the beautiful poppy installation, Weeping Window, which will be on public display until January 17.

Photograph taken from Liverpool Echo

Remembering the dead can be a community experience, and although it may not appear to be everybody’s cup of tea, around 150,000 people came to see the poppies at St George's Hall in the first week they went on show. This astounding number is more than all of the people who saw the Weeping Window installation on show at a Northumberland museum over seven weeks.

Paul Cummins, who created the sculpture with designer Tom Piper, paid tribute to the people of Liverpool in a letter to the ECHO. He said: “I was so overwhelmed and delighted by the impressive display of Weeping Window at St George’s Hall. I was especially taken aback at the way that people of Liverpool have taken the installation to heart, showcasing their appreciation for the project and the install of Weeping Window itself.”

Weeping Window initially formed part of the larger installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, which was on display at the Tower of London in 2014. Every ceramic flower represents a life lost by British and Commonwealth forces in WWI.

The display at the Tower of London

Photograph taken from Defence Imagery MOD

So if you’re in the city this weekend to see the Weeping Window, do a bit of shopping or visit one of the many attractions Liverpool has to offer – then call into Liverpool Central Library or the World Museum. Keeping the memory of late loved ones alive is a positive way to deal with loss. We don’t talk about the lives of the dead comfortably enough, and just because they’re gone from our view, doesn’t mean they are gone from our hearts.

Photo from The Bucket Project 

Bring along a photograph for our Day of the Dead altar at either event and we’ll have some frames available for you to use. Take time to personalise yours at our special craft station. If you haven’t got a photo we can use, you and any children you bring, may like to draw a picture, colour in or just write a few words. 

Photo from The Bucket Project 

Day of the Dead "Mexico" Celebrations

November 2015

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday typically celebrated on 1st and 2nd November. The purpose of these days is to celebrate and remember those that have died. Too often, we don't get the chance to talk about our loved ones who have passed, as some people shy away from what they perceive to be "morbid." Keeping the memory alive of those important to us can help with the grieving process, no matter how long it has been. We learn to live with our grief and trying to forget about the dead doesn't often help. We provide a safe space to remember, chat and leave a memorial photograph on our beautifully decorated altar.

Photograph from our November 2014 celebration

The tradition of honouring our ancestors and remembering the dead has a long standing history. All Souls' and All Saints' Days are observed on the same dates as the Day of the Dead. In modern times, people continue to create colourful altars adorned with photographs of departed loved ones, paper flowers, decorated skulls, candles and offerings of food that the deceased enjoyed whilst saying nice things and sharing happy stories of the deceased.

Our hand-decorated sugar skulls, mug and snow globe

These events help recognise that death is a natural part of the human experience; a continuum with birth, childhood and growing up. On these days, the dead re-join the community to share in the celebrations with their loved ones. We want to remember the dead throughout the year and will be organising a number of events at various locations.

Our next Day of the Dead celebrations are connected to Mexico. The prestigious venues have either a recent exhibition, or have just had one linked to Mexico. Recently, the World Museum was the only UK location to host the Mayas exhibition - you can find images of the fascinating objects that were on display here: Mayas: revelation of an endless time.

Liverpool Central Library are hosting Frida and Me: an exhibition about Frida Kahlo, who died in 1954 at the age of 47, and who is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Using Frida’s self-portrait as the main axis and guide, children will be able to question themselves about notions of their own life, and while playing, can get involved in several notions of art.

Both celebrations are completely free and suitable for all ages. These events could be a useful way of talking about death with children in a positive and friendly atmosphere with tools to help and direct your conversations. 

The first Day of the Dead event is on Saturday 28th November 2015 at Liverpool Central Library from 1-3pm.

Liverpool Central Library

Photograph taken from Wikipedia

The second event is on Sunday 29th November 2015 at the World Museum from 2-4pm.

World Museum Liverpool

Photograph taken from Wikipedia

Alongside our colourful altar will be a craft stall where you can decorate your own frame. Bring along a photograph or send us one in advance and we'll print it for you. We'd love it if you would also share a story about the person who died to accompany their photograph. Please email Rachael for more information.

Decorated frames on our beautiful altar

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.