Nicola Payne, MacIntyre’s Best Practice Manager for Health and Families, writes about the creative ways the Dying to Talk Project - which Nicky manages - are supporting people to talk about death and dying.
Within MacIntyre we’ve consistently advocated that being creative is key to ensuring we are including the thoughts and contributions of everyone we support. Creativity is included in the 10 Facilitation Skills that we promote at MacIntyre because we know that each person we support has different emotions and capabilities. By taking a creative approach with each individual we can provide the best support, and have those ‘lightbulb’ moments and Great Interactions together that are so important.
Why creativity is vital in MacIntyre’s Dying to Talk Project
The Dying to Talk Project works closely with people living with a learning disability. We want everyone to have a voice, and importantly have choice and control of their future. It’s vital that we know what each person wants for themselves if they become ill and when they die.
For many people we support, this is often a difficult conversation to begin. It’s tricky for staff, family members and friends too. We know that these conversations have to be meaningful, tailored to each individual, and include us documenting the person’s hopes and wishes.
Barriers can naturally go up when starting conversations about death and dying, but we feel passionately within the Dying to Talk Project that by taking a trusting, consistent and creative approach we can be confident that conversations will start and, over time, become a little bit easier.
