SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Tips

• Think about your future care and support. A good place to start could be to think, ‘what’s important to me’? For example, would you choose to be at a hospice or stay at home; who would you like to be there if you get sick, and what kinds of treatments would you like or refuse? Write your decisions down so that those who care for you have a record.

• Plan your own funeral: it isn’t being morbid, it’s being organised. Decide how you’d like it, then let your family know. When the time comes, it will be a huge comfort to them to know they are doing the right thing. You may want to talk with your family about how a funeral will be paid for and what aspects of the funeral are most important to you.
  
• Make your thoughts about organ donation known and record them, so that your loved ones know your wishes in advance.

• Consider whether you need to make a Will, which can allow you to plan what happens to you money, dependents, and possessions after you die. Making your wishes known in advance through a Will can often help to give you peace of mind for the future.

• Think about your digital legacy, for example, what would happen to the information on your mobile phone or Facebook account. Take time to understand the options and then let people know what you’d like to happen.

For further information see https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/planning-ahead and St Christopher’s Leaflet on Do I need to make a Will?

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Tips

• Be honest and personal: it’s OK to say ‘I know this is a sensitive subject’, or ‘we’ve never spoken about his before, but’ and then explain why it’s important to you to talk about dying and death
  
• Choose your moment and try a general question like ‘have you ever thought about what you’d like to happen if you became seriously ill?’ or ‘have you ever thought about what kind of funeral you’d like?’ Or you might ask if they’ve considered what would happen to any dependents, organ donation, things that they’d like people to know, or written a Will  
  
• If at first you don’t succeed… Try again later. You may have caught your loved one on an off day – but at least you’ve started the conversation
  
• Mind your (body) language: non-verbal clues like crossing arms or covering their mouth may be a sign this conversation is uncomfortable. And watch your own body language too! Remember to relax and smile
  
• Listen more than you speak. Once you’ve asked the initial question, concentrate on their answer. You may be surprised at what you hear and it could be a relief for the other person to talk openly.

For further help, go to https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/TalkingAboutDeathDying

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflet

This leaflet contains further information on your medicines and the way that we sometimes use them in palliative care. If you have any more questions please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. (more…)

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflet

This leaflet explains how to consider your choices and preferences for the future – if you have any other questions, we hope you will talk them over with a member of staff who will be glad to help.
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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

Join us for a YouTube art group each Tuesday where we’ll present art activities, along with calls for contributions to large scale St Christopher’s-wide art projects.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

All our online sessions are free to join. If you are able to, please consider a small donation to our emergency appeal.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

All you need is a pencil and paper for this activity and you’re ready to go!

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

This ‘Art for All’ session focuses on light- sunlight to be specific! Learn about Cyanotype art printing and to have a go at making your own art, using shadows as a creative inspiration.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

Sometimes we all need a bit of colour in our lives. Watch how to make the perfect art piece to complement an NHS window rainbow, using materials that everyone has at home. And take part in an activity that encourages us all to look at colour differently within our own homes.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflet

This leaflet will provide you with basic advice to help you manage your breathlessness. It is intended to act as a reminder following a physiotherapy session – please ask if you have any questions. (more…)

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflet

This leaflet describes some of the physical changes that happen to people as they start to die. It anticipates some of the questions you may want to ask about what is happening and why, and encourages you to ask for further help or information if there is anything at all that is worrying you.
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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflet

1 Coping with feelings of depression

There is no right or wrong way to feel when you or someone close to you has a terminal illness. You may experience a range of emotions, at different times. You may feel shock, fear, anger and resentment. Or you may feel helpless, sad, frustrated or perhaps experience relief and acceptance. You may also feel isolated and alone, even if you have family and friends around you.
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SOURCE: Marie Curie | TYPE: Weblinks and Resource Lists

Marie Curie’s advice on understanding covid-19 if you’re affected by a terminal illness

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

A set of four videos designed to help people through exercise

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

A set of four videos designed to help people through exercise.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

He’s back! Cliff, one of our volunteer gardeners at St Christopher’s Orpington, gives a tour of the beautiful gardens. With strict social distancing measures in place, he can show us how the garden has fared on its own for all those weeks!

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Leaflets

St Christopher’s has produced a range of information leaflets for patients and carers. Healthcare professionals and other organisations may use this material providing St Christopher’s is credited as author. Copyright remains with St Christopher’s Hospice. For further information regarding use of leaflet material, please contact the Communications Manager on tel: 020 8768 4585 or email: communications@stchristophers.org.uk

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

Four videos designed to give people advice about managing breathlessness

SOURCE: NHS | TYPE: Weblinks and Resource Lists

NHS A to Z list of medicines

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

From the book Postcards from Heaven, words and pictures to help you hear from God, but Ellie Hart.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

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SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

Take a break from your desk to enjoy this short video on mindful breathing led by Sarah.

SOURCE: | TYPE: Webinar

Upcoming sessions

Monday 25^th May

Tuesday 26^th May

Wednesday 27^th May

Thursday 28^th May

Friday 29^th May

Past sessions

• Monday 18 May – Watch again
• Tuesday 19 May – Watch again
• Wednesday 20 May – Watch again
• Thursday 21 May – Watch again
• Friday 22 May – Watch again

• Monday 11 May – Watch again
• Tuesday 12 May – Watch again
• Wednesday 13 May – Watch again
• Thursday 14 May – Watch again
• Friday 15 May – Watch again
  
• Monday 4 May – Watch again
• Tuesday 5 May – Watch again
• Wednesday 6 May – Watch again
• Thursday 7 May – Watch again
• Friday 8 May – Watch again
  
• Monday 20th April – Watch again
• Tuesday 21st April – Watch again
• Wednesday 22nd April – Watch again
• Thursday 23rd April – Watch again
• Friday 24th April – Watch again
  
• Monday 27 April – Watch again
• Tuesday 28 April – Watch again
• Wednesday 29 April – Watch again
• Thursday 30 April – Watch again
• Friday 1 May – Watch again

SOURCE: NHS | TYPE: Guidance

This guide is for people who are approaching the end of their life. Some parts of it may also be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their own end of life care.

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

A short guided relaxation exercise.

Please note that all exercises demonstrated and repetitions suggested are a guide. Please start with whatever you can do and build up gradually over time. Remember to rest as needed between repetitions and between exercises. If you feel dizzy or have chest pains when exercising stop immediately and seek medical help. 

SOURCE: St Christopher's | TYPE: Videos

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