Festival 2023
The To Absent Friends festival took place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2023.
It was an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people who have died but remain important to us.
Information about some of the events that took place is below.
To Absent Friends Week
Organised by Strathcarron Hospice Compassionate Communities Team
1-7 November 2023
Strathcarron Hospice
These events are not open to the public
Strathcarron Hospice is hosting an event for To Absent Friends at the Hospice for primary schools from Callander, Killin, Fallin and Cumbernauld. This includes planting snowdrop bulbs on the grounds followed by music from the Lymph Notes choir and a little food.
We will then be supporting community groups from the above areas to host their own events.
For more information contact David Henderson on david.henderson10@nhs.scot
Image credit: Strathcarron Hospice
To the Loved and Lost
Organised by Possobilities
Wednesday 1st November, 3pm-5pm and Thursday 2nd November, 2pm-4pm (local/wider community)
Wednesday 1st November, 6pm-8pm (members only - this sessions is not open to the public)
Possobilities, 74 Closeburn Street G22 5ST
To the Loved and Lost will be a FREE event for the local community and our members at Possobilites. Those involved will be invited to write letters, poems, make drawings and small totems to send to loved lost ones. Participants will have the choice to keep your creations or place them in a fire pit, to send these messages and gifts to those who have passed. This will be a symbolic gesture of the love which endures the separation of death with the intention to bring forth hope and healing. A ritual of remembrance, release, and connection, both to those who have past and others who share in the experience of grief.
This will be followed by a meditation/moment of remembrance which participants can decide to take part in. To close the event, there will be tea, coffee and cake. Similar to a traditional Scottish re-past or wake (meal before or after funeral). Toasts can be made to those passed, as well as sharing memories and experiences of grief and loss. We hope this event will help those struggling with bereavement and encourage open discussions about personal and collective experiences of grief and loss. We understand that loss is a struggle with separation however, this struggle can bring forth and strengthen connections to others and help us live a more meaningful life.
Photo credit: Possobilities
Death Café (Online)
Organised by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Friday 3rd November, 1.30pm-2.30pm
Taking place online (MS Teams)
This event is open to the public and staff
What will we be talking about?
Let’s break the taboo, and talk about Death! This event is an informal space to talk with others about something which affects us all…so boil the kettle, raid the biscuit tin and come and join the conversation!
Please note that this is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.
Register: https://link.webropol.com/ep/taf23-dc031123
Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Death Cafe (Remembrance Edition)
Organised by the Southside Death Club
Thursday 2nd November, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Finn's Place, 167 Ledard Road, Glasgow, G42 9QU
This event is open to the public
Our Death Cafés are very informal with everyone given the opportunity to speak as much or as little as they would like. We also usually have a selection of home baking available (contributions always welcome!)
The facilitators are local members of the community, and whilst they have a background in the world of palliative care they are not trained bereavement or counselling professionals, however we are happy to help signpost you to great local organisation if you need further support.
More information: Death Cafe (Glasgow Southside)
Picture credit: the Southside Death Club
Stories From 88 Days on a Tandem Around the British Coastline (Let's Talk About... Bereavement Through Suicide)
Organised by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
Wednesday 8th November, 6.30pm-8.00pm
Taking place online (MS Teams) as part of the Let's Talk About series
This event is open to the public
In January 2022, Xani lost his sister, Alice, to suicide. Since then he and his family have been navigating their own grief journey, supported by a number of different charities including SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide).
In the summer of 2023, Xani decided to embark on a mammoth cycling expedition as a tribute to Alice and a way to reach out to others who have been affected by suicide, whilst also raising money for some great organisations. Over 88 days he covered over 3500 miles on a tandem around the British coastline, each day joined by a new person affected by suicide. Together as they pedalled, they shared the story of their experience and the wisdom they had gained. Not only this, he has also managed to raise over £36,000 for both SOBS and PAPYRUS.
From his time on the tandem, Xani has some incredible memories but has also gained a wealth of knowledge about the impact of grief and the different ways people begin to rebuild their lives after tragedy. During this session Xani will be sharing his own story and reflections – from the importance of conversations to meaningful ways to honour those who have died.
Whether you have been affect by suicide or not, we hope that you can come and join the conversation. Through learning and sharing, we hope to help break taboos about this topic and reassure people they are not alone.
Register for the event: https://link.webropol.com/ep/taf23-lta-bts081123
Photo Credit Harry Knight (@_hiharry_)
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