News
It’s official – Plymouth has been recognised as the first compassionate city regarding end of life care in England.
CEO of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth Steve Statham speaking at the celebration Compassionate City event. Photograph by Paul Slater
The accolade comes from Public Health Palliative Care International in recognition of the commitment the city has made – and work already under way - towards meeting the objectives of the End of Life Compassionate City Charter. This charter provides a framework outlining social actions relating to death, dying and loss, to be delivered in partnership with communities and individuals for the benefit of everyone in the city.
A compassionate city or community is one that recognises that care for one another at times of crisis and loss is not simply a task solely for health and social services but is everyone’s responsibility.
Since May 2018 Plymouth has developed and implemented an End of Life Compassionate City Charter to ensure that Plymouth does not shy away from the ‘taboo’ subjects of death, dying and bereavement but talks openly about them
Celebrant Wendy Coulton was a speaker at the October 2019 event celebrating progress made so far on the charter objectives. Her talk was about the benefits of open, honest and comfortable discussion and preparation about dying matters and death.
To find out more about this groundbreaking initiative visit: www.plymouthcompassionatecity.co.uk
A compassionate city or community is one that recognises that care for one another at times of crisis and loss is not simply a task solely for health and social services but is everyone’s responsibility.
Since May 2018 Plymouth has developed and implemented an End of Life Compassionate City Charter to ensure that Plymouth does not shy away from the ‘taboo’ subjects of death, dying and bereavement but talks openly about them
Celebrant Wendy Coulton was a speaker at the October 2019 event celebrating progress made so far on the charter objectives. Her talk was about the benefits of open, honest and comfortable discussion and preparation about dying matters and death.
To find out more about this groundbreaking initiative visit: www.plymouthcompassionatecity.co.uk
Funeral Directors in Plymouth supporting those bereaved
by suicide
Funeral directors in Plymouth pledged to support an initiative to help the experience of those bereaved by suicide loss at a special event held in March 2019.
A workshop hosted by Plymouth City Council Public Health was attended by over 30 funeral directors and arrangers to learn more about the prevalence of suicide locally and nationally.
A key action identified in the city Suicide Prevention Strategy is to improve the distribution of trusted useful information and guidance about support available to those bereaved by suicide.
Celebrant Wendy Coulton, who helped organise the event, said: “It is immensely heartening to know that Plymouth funeral directors see the value of being the professionals who will give families in these very difficult and life changing circumstances information about the specialist support available for them. It means that postcode will be irrelevant because everyone should receive the right information in a timely manner. From the outset the bereaved will know if and when they need advice or support how to get it.”
Walter C Parson kindly made available a meeting room at their Crownhill office for us to plan for this event and Devonport Guildhall was the event venue without charge.
Another key strategy action is to improve specialist suicide bereavement support. To this end Devon charity Pete's Dragons announced expansion of its services into Plymouth.
www.wcpltd.com
www.petesdragons.org.uk
A workshop hosted by Plymouth City Council Public Health was attended by over 30 funeral directors and arrangers to learn more about the prevalence of suicide locally and nationally.
A key action identified in the city Suicide Prevention Strategy is to improve the distribution of trusted useful information and guidance about support available to those bereaved by suicide.
Celebrant Wendy Coulton, who helped organise the event, said: “It is immensely heartening to know that Plymouth funeral directors see the value of being the professionals who will give families in these very difficult and life changing circumstances information about the specialist support available for them. It means that postcode will be irrelevant because everyone should receive the right information in a timely manner. From the outset the bereaved will know if and when they need advice or support how to get it.”
Walter C Parson kindly made available a meeting room at their Crownhill office for us to plan for this event and Devonport Guildhall was the event venue without charge.
Another key strategy action is to improve specialist suicide bereavement support. To this end Devon charity Pete's Dragons announced expansion of its services into Plymouth.
www.wcpltd.com
www.petesdragons.org.uk
L- R Sarah Lees of Plymouth City Council Public Health, Celebrant Wendy Coulton and Alison Jordan, CEO Pete’s Dragons.
Plymouth celebrant wins national award
Plymouth celebrant Wendy Coulton has received national award recognition for Outstanding Funeral Celebrancy Practice.
Families and funeral directors were among those who nominated Wendy for the National Celebrant Awards 2018 which seeks to applaud professional standards, innovation and achievements.
There was a specific award category for the contribution made by celebrants who create and conduct memorable high quality funerals and go the extra mile for the bereaved. There was an overall trophy winner for Outstanding Funeral Celebrancy Practice and a runner up.
Winners were announced at the National Convention for Celebrants in Kettering.
Awards and convention organiser Anne Barber said: ’Wendy was a very close runner up in this category. Quotes from her nominations include "the client was overwhelmed" - "she really is a wonderful person" - "she genuinely cares about the families she represents.”
Anne added: “The number of nominations Wendy received shows how much she is respected in the Plymouth area. Nominations said that she is not just a celebrant but a caring and professional individual.”
Wendy said: “I really do appreciate the time and trouble taken by those who nominated me for this award. I genuinely love what I do. It’s a vocation and a privilege to support bereaved people and help them to say their goodbyes and honour the memory of the person who has died in their own way.”
At the convention Wendy led two workshops for celebrants on how to find and set up new venues for non-religious funeral services as an alternative to crematoria chapels. She shared her experience of establishing new venues in Plymouth, in partnership with funeral director David Parslow of Walter C Parson.
Families and funeral directors were among those who nominated Wendy for the National Celebrant Awards 2018 which seeks to applaud professional standards, innovation and achievements.
There was a specific award category for the contribution made by celebrants who create and conduct memorable high quality funerals and go the extra mile for the bereaved. There was an overall trophy winner for Outstanding Funeral Celebrancy Practice and a runner up.
Winners were announced at the National Convention for Celebrants in Kettering.
Awards and convention organiser Anne Barber said: ’Wendy was a very close runner up in this category. Quotes from her nominations include "the client was overwhelmed" - "she really is a wonderful person" - "she genuinely cares about the families she represents.”
Anne added: “The number of nominations Wendy received shows how much she is respected in the Plymouth area. Nominations said that she is not just a celebrant but a caring and professional individual.”
Wendy said: “I really do appreciate the time and trouble taken by those who nominated me for this award. I genuinely love what I do. It’s a vocation and a privilege to support bereaved people and help them to say their goodbyes and honour the memory of the person who has died in their own way.”
At the convention Wendy led two workshops for celebrants on how to find and set up new venues for non-religious funeral services as an alternative to crematoria chapels. She shared her experience of establishing new venues in Plymouth, in partnership with funeral director David Parslow of Walter C Parson.
Making those lasting wishes come true
Wendy Coulton became Plymouth’s first funeral celebrant four years ago and since then has planned a myriad of services, guiding families through the most agonising time before saying goodbye to their loved ones in the best way possible.
A feature run in the Plymouth Herald on 23 May 2017.
Extract from Online version with video interview clips: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymouth-s-most-weird-and-wonderful-funerals/story-30342952-detail/story.htm
A feature run in the Plymouth Herald on 23 May 2017.
Extract from Online version with video interview clips: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymouth-s-most-weird-and-wonderful-funerals/story-30342952-detail/story.htm