The theme of this year’s campaign is: The Culture of Dying Matters.

Oxford Health will be supporting the awareness week with special stalls at three of its community hospitals where members of the public can drop in to talk to staff.

The stalls will be, from 10am – 3pm at:

Wallingford Community Hospital – 6 May

Townland, Henley – 7 May

Witney – 7 May

Bicester – 8 May

Grieving is a form of learning according to studies of the brain’s response to loss. When someone you love dies, you have to learn new rules for navigating the world and your brain has to adapt.

The mission of Dying Matters is to break down the stigma and taboo of talking about death and dying.

There are of course many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths approach and mark death and dying. But at their core, feelings about dying, and our experiences of grief, are universal emotions that we all share, no matter who we are or where we live.

While a friend or family member’s death can affect every person differently, studies have shown that there are no scientific differences in relation to race, age or religion. We can all feel the impact of the loss, helplessness, sadness – but we may do it, and show it, in different ways. We may all talk about death and dying in a multitude of ways, but we share a common thread.

Gabbie Parham, Senior Matron for Community Nursing, who leads the Trust end of life group said “I would urge anyone with an interest in the subject, for whatever reason, to join us at one of the sessions we are holding at our community hospitals.”