Festival 2024
The To Absent Friends festival takes place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2024.
It is an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died. To Absent Friends, a People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance is an opportunity to revive lost traditions and create new ones.
We welcome new events as part of the festival. If you’d like to get involved, check out the information and resources here: Get involved in the TAF festival 2024.
To add your event to this listing, or for any other questions, please email samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk.
See below for information about some of the events taking place all across Scotland during the festival.
Remembering Absent Friends and Loved Ones
Organised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Royal Alexandra Hospital chaplaincy)
1st-7th November 2024
Royal Alexandra Hospital Staff R&R Hub
These sessions are open to RAH staff.
Join us at the staff Hub from the 1st to the 7th of November, 2024, for a special event dedicated to remembering and celebrating the memories of our loved ones. This thoughtful initiative is hosted by the spiritual care team at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and offers a serene and supportive space for all NHS staff to come together in reflection and connection.
Whether you wish to honour the memory of someone dear or simply seek a moment of peace and solace, this gathering provides an opportunity to share stories, take part in a variety of memory making activities, find comfort, and celebrate the enduring impact of those we’ve lost. We invite you to participate in this meaningful experience, fostering a sense of community and healing.
Thank You for the Days
Organised by the NHS Lanarkshire Spiritual Care and Wellbeing team
Monday 11th of November – Friday 15th of November
At University Hospital Hairmyres, University Hospital Monklands and University Hospital Wishaw.
These days are open to staff, patients and visitors.
“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears”.
We are inviting staff, patients and visitors to drop by the spiritual care and wellbeing department within the hospitals to share a memory of an absent friend that fills your heart with gratitude. Each memory will be written down and displayed in a beautiful wall collage.
Photo credit: Courtesy of NHS Lanarkshire Spiritual Care and Wellbeing team via goalcast.com
Remembering Absent Friends and Loved Ones
Organised by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Royal Alexandra Hospital chaplaincy)
1st-7th November 2024
Vale of Leven Hospital sanctuary
These sessions are open to Vale of Leven Hospital staff.
Join us at the Vale of Leven sanctuary from November 1st to November 7th, 2024, to remember and recognise our loved ones.
‘Absent Friends’ is offered by the spiritual care team and provides a safe area for all NHS employees to reflect and interact. Whether you want to respect someone’s memory or simply seek some peace and consolation, this area allows you to participate in a range of memory-making activities, find comfort, and celebrate the lasting legacy of people we’ve lost.
Remembrance Supper Evening
Organised by Walton Court Residents Social Club
Sunday 17th November
Walton Court, Giffnock, Glasgow
This event is for Walton Court residents
We have arranged for a social club get together on Sunday 17th November 2024 within our residents communal lounge to remember “Absent Friends”.
We will prepare a montage of photos of some of our members, and partners of current members whilst celebrating their lives, recalling memories and also provide those in attendance with buffet and refreshment.
This event is supported by a To Absent Friends small grant.
Photo credit: Walton Court
To Absent Friends Music Installation at St Columba’s
Organised by St Columba’s Hospice Care
1-7 November
St Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh
This event is for the St Columba’s community.
At St Columba’s Hospice Care we acknowledge the vital role of music in our connections and aim to commemorate ‘To Absent Friends Week’ by collecting song titles and brief excerpts of lyrics which are meaningful to you and evoke memories of your loved ones.
We are inviting people to write song titles and lyrics onto our To Absent Friends vinyl’s. The installation will remain in the hospice throughout the week and people are welcome to add to this whenever they like. We will also be having live music playing between 2-3pm beside the installation for people to come and enjoy.
Photo credit: St Columba’s Hospice
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