Workshops

How to talk openly about life and death (for care workers).

 

Believe it or not, reflecting on life and death in a group is often a welcome experience for caring professionals who relate regularly to with clients facing end of life or previous troubling experiences of death.

In workshops I include everyone in the discussion, and people share to the level that they are comfortable. Of course people are often nervous, but a friendly and realistic approach makes them feel less awkward. 

 
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Empowering your team.

My workshops for aged care and health workers help reduce discomfort around the topic of death so these incredible workers can support their clients better. They may be aware that their clients are trying to raise this topic! Through making space for people’s own personal experience, they’re often unburdened of discomfort. Through simple exercises they gain confidence in supporting their clients who are impacted by end of life. Realising their experiences are useful to their clients and valued by their team reduces staff distress and burnout, preventing unnecessary turnover.

Let’s design a workshop or death cafe style conversation for your team

 Organisations I've worked with

  • “Annie’s calm, concise and relaxed delivery of information on end of life made conversations flow in a healthy, productive way. She navigated through confronting topics creating a safe space for positive conversation and thinking. “

    -Tim, City of Melbourne

  • “In Annie’s workshop we were talking about a profound subject. Our different experiences unleashed a powerful flow of discussion. I believe that this was because of the trust engendered by Annie’s gentle and thoughtful way of acknowledging our contributions and experiences. “

    -Kate (workshop participant)

  • “Annie was able to create an atmosphere where people shared their views on death - for some participants for the first time. Nothing about the workshop was confronting. Annie ensured that each participant was given the confidence and time to speak. “

    -David, City of Yarra

  • “Annie was an accommodating collaborator on a shared vision for our community education project. “

    -Rebecca, City of Melbourne

  • “Annie is a highly professional and skilled artist, whose warmth and tenderness during the delivery of public programs - the first after two-years of lockdowns, was a salve for the participants.  Annie is adept at working with groups and confidently adapts her program to suit all ages and abilities. It was a delight working with Annie.” 

    -Feyza, City of Hume

  • “My grandfather died recently at the age of 103 years and 8 months. I had attended a couple of the death café events organised by Annie well before his death and I think it is in part thanks to these gatherings that I was able to have a prolonged vigil at home for my grandfather and to organise a unique funeral for him. “

    -Lee

Practical and accessible workshops in community settings and libraries.

Things go more smoothly at end of life if people are informed about relevant basic practical matters.  

Around end of life there are a lot of pressures to deal with. So being adequately informed about the practical aspects of this time improves quality of life for healthy ageing. In fact considering life and death  with others contributes to meaning making at any stage of life.

 
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Topics we explore are:

  • Options of what one can and might do when a person is approaching end of life or has died, such as personal self-care, choice of cremation or burial, care of pets and the role of service providers.

  • The nuts and bolts of funerals and memorials. How funeral directors work, packages and costs, especially how not to incur expenses for products that aren’t wanted.

  • How to have conversations about death and vulnerability. How to make arrangements that work. 

These workshops bring people into a conversation that’s often been a long time coming. Strangers discover experiences in common. They relate to experiences they hadn’t thought about. What is usually unseen and unspoken in everyday life comes out in a safe environment. People have the chance to ask questions they have never voiced. You will be surprised and humbled by what is shared and learnt!

I’d love to hear from you to design a talk or workshop.