THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
UK Bhakti Gatherings
and
The Elephant In The Room
Invite you to
"Living With Dying"
Saturday
9th February 2019. 10.00 - 20.00
This is a one-day event in the heart of Gloucestershire
at
Matara Centre, Kingscote Park, Nr Tetbury,
Gloucestershire, GL8 8YA
facilitated by Kiera L Jones and Jim Fox
After the initial arrival, registration and introduction,
we will begin the day by talking about
The Elephant In The Room,
in a café style setting with cake (please bring some cake to share) and chai.
Each table, of about 10 people, will have the opportunity to share their experiences, their perceptions of what a good death might be, their plans (or lack of plans) for the end of life, their fears or beliefs, organ donation etc.
To help get the ball rolling each table will have a selection of talking-point cards with suggested topics or questions to discuss. This will be a totally safe space, with no judgement or criticism, no dogmatism – just love and support.
After a short break, Kiera will then present a session on preparing a Death Plan and Advance Directive. You will be provided with a booklet, which you can take home with you, in which you can record such things as:
·
Any treatments that you do, or do not, want to
receive in order to prolong life.
·
Your preferences and plans for a
funeral/celebration of your life.
·
Financial information.
·
The manner in which you would prefer to die.
·
Where you would wish to die, and who you would
like with you.
·
Practical information to make it less stressful
for friends and relations to sort things out after your death, such as accessing passwords for bank accounts, Facebook pages and other online information.
A light lunch will be shared, (please bring along something vegetarian to be shared amongst the gathering) and hopefully the conversations will continue as you eat.
Lunch will be followed by a practical session and questions and answers, which will be followed by a presentation by Kiera, on the work of Skanda Vale Hospice.
All the proceeds from the day will go towards supporting the work of
SKANDA VALE HOSPICE
www.skandavalehospice.org
We also plan on having a short talk on bereavement during the afternoon session.
A vegetarian meal will then be served followed by an hour or so of Kirtan chanting, for those who wish to stay and take part,
focusing on the energies of Ganesh and Kali
to remove, and destroy, whatever obstacles we may be facing regarding the
subject of death and dying, and giving
thanks for the lives that we have and the abundance we share.
For
any families wishing to bring their children along, a programme of activities
will take place during the day and evening to keep them occupied and
entertained.
About
the facilitators:
Kiera and Jim are organisers of
The Elephant In The Room
events around the country, aimed at encouraging people to talk about End of Life matters.
Kiera is the Deputy Clinical Lead nurse at Skanda Vale Hospice and has been working with Palliative Care patients for over 16 years. She is also a qualified Soul Midwife and both Kiera and Jim have trained as Death Midwives.
Jim is an author, inspirational speaker and musician, and will be leading the evening Kirtan celebration with Tabla Tom
Cost of tickets is £50 for the day, (£35 concessions for unwaged) which includes a booklet and both lunch and dinner.
Be sure to book your place now by clicking on the link below.
Programme for the day
10.00 – 10.30 - Arrivals
10.30 – 11.00 – Introductory talk - Kiera
11.00 – 12.15 – Conversations and Chai
12.15-12.30 – Comfort break
12.30-13.00 – Introduction to the
Death Plan and What Now booklet
13.00 – 14.00 – Lunch
14.00 – 15.15 – Practical Session - compiling a Death Plan, Questions and Answers
15.15 – 15.30 – Tea/comfort break
15.30-16.00 - Presentation on Skanda
Vale Hospice in Wales (proceeds from this event will be supporting
this wonderful organisation)
16.00-16.30 – Bereavement/Grief
16.30 – 17.00 - Meditation on Death and Dying
17.15-18.15 - Dinner
18.15-19.45 - Kirtan Chanting
SPECIAL EARLY-BIRD PRICE
FOR A LIMITED TIME
ONLY £37.50 (Full Price £50)
Concession Price for unwaged £30 (normally £35)