The Fylde coast community is being asked to come together and show their support for National Grief Week, 2-8 December, 2020 and there has never been a more poignant time to support those who have lost loved ones especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The annual national event is driven by the Good Grief Trust, the UK’s leading umbrella charity, bringing all UK bereavement services, support organisations and helplines together and aims to raise awareness of the impact of grief and loss on a national platform.
There are various ways to get involved:
2-8 December – Share you memories of loved ones on social media using the hashtag #ShareYourStory. You can also follow the Trust’s bereavement team, SWAN end of life care model, at @SwanModelBTH and @ChaplaincyBTH
We want our community to join us and switch on lights. Light up and share with us on Facebook and Twitter.
7 December –Tree of Lights and Book of Remembrance Service details, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund
As Christmas is approaching our charity, Blue Skies, has launched its annual Tree of Lights Appeal. Like many other things, it cannot be the same this year as it has in the past and the annual Tree of Lights and Remembrance Service has to be different. They have decided to create a video for this event in conjunction with the Chaplaincy team, which will allow you to enjoy the special lighting ceremony, readings and music, whilst keeping safe at home. The link to the video and all other details of this year’s campaign can be found in the appeal leaflet: https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/blueskies/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Tree-of-Lights-leaflet-2020.pdf
The video will be available to view from Monday, December 7, 2020. This is, as always, an important event in the Blue Skies calendar where you can celebrate and remember the lives of family, friends or colleagues in a very positive way. As you will see in the leaflet, they would like to invite you to add a name of a loved one(s) into the Book of Remembrance which will be on display from January 2021. You also have the opportunity to contribute to their Tree of Lights Appeal which aims to enhance bereavement care at the Trust. This year you also have the opportunity to purchase a decoration for their Online Christmas Tree. You can contact Blue Skies directly by emailing: bfwh.blueskies@nhs.net
8 December – Light up the Fylde coast
This week is a time for us all as a community to come together, reflect and remember all those affected by loss this year and in previous years. We are a close community and have been deeply touched by the support for our teams at the hospital, across community sites and the hospice, and we are incredibly proud of all the key workers.
We have arranged for a number of iconic structures across Blackpool to be lit up yellow to show our compassion to all those who are feeling the effects of grief and to let you all know that we are here and thinking of you.
Join us on the December 8, at 6pm when Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Victoria Hospital and the windmills at Lytham and Marton will be lit yellow as a symbol of togetherness, from us all at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals to our community. The lighting of the Tower and BVH main entrance will be live on the Trust’s Twitter and Facebook accounts (details below).
13 December – Trinity Hospice, Light Up A Life
Trinity Hospice is holding its annual Light up a Life service virtually. Details can be found at www.trinityhospice.co.uk
National Events
8 December 2020 – At 6pm, St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral and other landmarks around the county including: Media City UK, town halls, cathedrals, lighthouses and bridges will be lit, as a beacon of hope to all those in need of help.
A national silence will take place at 5pm to remember those who have lost a loved one.
We encourage you all to join us at 5pm to hold a minute’s silence.
St Paul’s Cathedral has an online book of remembrance for all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. You can submit the name of someone who has died, or view entries, using the link below:
https://www.rememberme2020.uk/
Please also visit: facebook.com/BlackpoolHospitals and Twitter, @BlackpoolHosp