A forward-thinking project run by St. Rocco’s Hospice will help year six pupils at St. Lewis Primary School in Croft learn about living and dying well, and highlight the role that hospices play in end of life care.
Twenty year six pupils from the school will take part in Roc ON!, which sees St. Rocco’s break boundaries by addressing issues around death and dying that are often taboo – especially when it comes to children.
The pupils will visit the hospice once a week until the end of March, taking part in creative craft sessions with patients, and learning more about their lives and wishes.
Patients and carers will also benefit from the project, giving them space to talk about their experiences.
Jan Temenos is leading the project at St. Rocco’s Hospice, after implementing similar approaches in the south of England.
She said: “By developing connections between the hospice and local schools and inviting honest and open dialogue, the approach aims to address myth and fear, to raise awareness about death and dying, and to promote a better understanding of palliative care.
The children will learn to consider not only what it might mean to die well but also, how to live as well as possible with difficult conditions.”
John Garratt is one of the St. Rocco’s Day Unit patients taking part in the project. Diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2013, he said his own experiences of talking to his grandchildren about his illness prompted him to get involved.
He added: “I found it difficult myself to explain what was happening, so being able to put children at ease around the subject is really important. St. Rocco’s has changed my life, so I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
Roc ON! will work with other schools in Warrington throughout 2015, and is part of the Hospice’s plans to reach out into the community during their 30th anniversary year and beyond.
Pictures show Jan Tenenos, St. Rocco’s Hospice School Project Lead and John Garratt a patient at St. Rocco’s launching the Roc On Initiative and pupils who are taking part in the initiative.
