Queer Social meets Wakefield Hospice

Last week, our Queer Social Group had the privilege of hosting Wakefield Hospice for an important and thought-provoking workshop on end-of-life care. This session was designed to explore perceptions of hospice care, challenge myths, and provide our community with vital information about planning for the future.

Alison Harwood and her team from Wakefield Hospice led the workshop, engaging our regular service users in a series of activities designed to open up conversations about death, dying, and care. One of the most interactive parts of the session was a myth-busting exercise, where participants physically moved to indicate whether they believed certain statements about hospice care were true, false, or somewhere in between. This sparked a lively discussion and helped to clarify some common misconceptions about the support hospices provide.

Alison facilitating a discussion with the Queer Social Group in the Boardroom at Wakefield Kirkgate.

Beyond the myths and facts, we delved into deeper conversations about care for family and friends, the role of death doulas (who offer non-medical, holistic support to individuals with serious or terminal illnesses and their families), and the importance of Advanced Care Planning. These discussions were particularly relevant to queer and trans people, as many in our community may not wish for traditional family members to advocate on their behalf. Instead, having a clear, legally recognised plan ensures that a trusted person can make decisions aligned with their wishes.

The session highlighted how crucial it is for LGBT+ individuals to consider their future care options, particularly in a society where assumptions about next of kin and family structures can overlook the realities of our lives. Whether it is specifying personal preferences, appointing the right advocate, or simply understanding what options are available, this kind of planning can bring peace of mind and security.

We are incredibly grateful to Wakefield Hospice for facilitating such an open and informative discussion. Conversations about end-of-life care are never easy, but they are essential. We hope this session has encouraged more people in our community to think about their own care planning and to seek out the resources and support available to them.

"In the beginning, I thought 'Do we really need to know this?', but by the end I realised it was really informative and how important it was." - Words from one of our Queer Social members.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this important conversation. If you would like to learn more about Advanced Care Planning, death doulas, or hospice services, please reach out to Wakefield Hospice or speak with our team at LonGBoaT Wakefield.

A group photo at the end of the session with both LonGBoaT and Wakefield Hospice.