“One of the most interesting and nuanced discussions on assisted dying I’ve ever been part of.”
Our Community Learning Facilitator Jack Emsden reflects on our summer school for 16-18-year-olds and the impact the activities and discussions had on the students as well as the staff, volunteers and community members they engaged with.
In July, we welcomed a group of 22 students from schools across south east London for our Young Changemakers summer school – a leadership development programme
for young people to involve themselves in social change.
Over the course of five days, they explored care in all its forms: How we care for ourselves, how health and social care systems work to support us, and how communities
care for each other.
Monday
We wandered Crystal Palace park reflecting on what we care about by asking questions such as ‘what makes you genuinely angry?’ and ‘what is the biggest change you’ve made in another person’s life?’ Students spoke passionately about everything from littering to racial injustice, from supporting a friend through a break-up to caring for a relative at the end of their life.
Tuesday
As part of a carousel activity, students met with a number of hospice staff including physiotherapists, researchers, fundraisers, and nurses. On one side of the room, acupuncturist Carol was explaining the healing power of needles, and on the other side, Emma, Child and Young People’s Bereavement Service Lead, was talking about support for young people with a giant soft toy tiger. The students said it was one of their favourite activities of the week. Watching on, it felt like a privilege to have the full diversity of St Christopher’s work showcased in one room. Students experienced first-hand what a holistic approach to care means in a modern hospice.
“It felt like a privilege to have the full diversity of St Christopher’s work showcased in one room.”
Wednesday
We put care into context by thinking about the impacts of COVID-19, an ageing population, rise in chronic conditions, and how we might change 20th century systems to respond to 21st century challenges. To think about what this change might look like, volunteers including compassionate neighbours and bereavement buddies took part in a roundtable Q&A, sharing their inspiring stories of supporting others in their communities.
Students asked searching and insightful questions, from ‘do you get overwhelmed?’ to ‘why is it important to challenge injustice and inequality at the end of life?’ In response to this final question, bereavement buddy Gareth gave a rousing response as he described inequality as ‘the feeling that the world is wrong’. Truth for ourselves and others can only be found in justice for all.
Thursday
We visited Croydon and saw examples of these principles in action. Staff at the Black and Minority Ethnic Forum spoke to us about their work around equity, diversity and inclusion.
A Collective, an advocacy group for those who are neurodivergent, ran a zine-making workshop framed around the disability rights slogan ‘nothing about us, without us.’ And finally, we met and shared life stories with residents of Grange Hall Care Home.
Students bridged the generational divide with conversations about everything from Shakespeare to Fall Out Boy! Throughout the week, students also worked in groups to consider a change they would like to make on an issue they cared about. The idea was to ask questions, rather than define answers.
“Students asked searching and insightful questions.”
Friday
We put care into context by thinking about the impacts of COVID-19, an ageing population, rise in chronic conditions, and how we might change 20th century systems to respond to 21st century challenges. To think about what this change might look like, volunteers including compassionate neighbours and bereavement buddies took part in a roundtable Q&A, sharing their inspiring stories of supporting others in their communities.
Students asked searching and insightful questions, from ‘do you get overwhelmed?’ to ‘why is it important to challenge injustice and inequality at the end of life?’ In response to this final question, bereavement buddy Gareth gave a rousing response as he described inequality as ‘the feeling that the world is wrong’. Truth for ourselves and others can only be found in justice for all.
Taking part in these conversations, I felt so enormously proud of the students. We had one of the most interesting and nuanced discussions on assisted dying I’ve ever been part of. I learned a lot about endometriosis, and was awed by their unwavering commitment to centring patients’ voices
in healthcare.
To close, students planted seed paper with reflections on their favourite memories and learnings from the programme as part of a ‘funeral for our week’. One student reflected that as well as learning about community, we had built a community ourselves, a community of care and support, ready to change the future of care for the better.
We run our summer school every year for 16-18-year-olds from across south east London. If you’re interested in joining and learning about leadership and social change, please email communityaid@stchristophers.org.uk.
:: This story was from our Autumn/Winter issue of Connect magazine. To read the full magazine, or to sign up to receive future editions, please click here.
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