Upcoming events – End of the Road Cafe

End of the Road Cafe aims to come together every month, usually on the first Wednesday.

During the lockdown period we were meeting via the Zoom platform, but we are now pleased to be meeting again in person.

Should you wish to join us, please contact Jos on jos@roselidden.co.uk and she can send you the necessary information.

As a rather random group of people gathering together, we aim to simply enjoy a sense of sharing – of our thoughts and concerns about all aspects of the dying and end of life.

ROSELIDDEN FARM, nr Helston Wednesdays 10.30 -12.00 pm

Our first gathering will be on the 10th January – the second Wednesday in January, and will be different from our usual format.

End of the Road Cafe will begin 2024 with our own small ceremony of remembrance for all those who have died – both recently and longer ago.

Recalling those people who have been important to us, and to whom we might like to bring words of love.

There might be some few things that we would like to say to them, that we have not previously said, or which we would simply like to repeat.

The importance of ritual and its intrinsic value in our society seems more obvious at this time of year, when we rest in the dark and lean towards the light.

The simple act of lighting a candle is incredibly powerful, similarly picking and arranging a few chosen flowers/leaves, or singing particular songs/melodies.

So, you are invited to bring small pieces of paper with the names of those you wish to recall, and connect with.

We will join together in a simple ceremony of reflection, acknowledging our grief and sense of loss, and supporting each other in this.

Tears may flow, and laughter too, as is the natural rhythm of moon and sun, death and life.

So please put this amended date in your diary and do invite others to join us – we will resume the usual rhythm in February on the 7th.

End of the Road Care – was a natural development arising from the Cafe.

Many of us are realising that to look after others we need to look after ourselves first; all the more so when we think we are too busy to do so!

“Compassion is not a state or emotion but an understanding. It is an understanding that is rooted in the classroom of our lives and hearts and in a genuine and honest investigation of our own relationship to pain and to suffering.”

Christina Feldman

In the summer of 2017, in conjunction with the Vinyana Association, we ran the first ‘Compassionate Care at End of Life’ residential course over two weekends.

Further non-residential weekends have been offered – see below for some details of these courses.

We had to pause all courses during the Covid outbreak and have yet to re-establish a new rhythm of classes .

Essential Practices in Spiritual Companionship

Presence Compassion Transcendence

6th, 7th, & 8th December 2019

at Roselidden Farm, nr Helston

This course with Tew Bunnag is open primarily to those who are directly involved in palliative care.

What tools and resources can we use in spiritual companionship at the end of life?

How can we best serve our spiritual needs in the dying process?

How can we promote a social awareness which helps people to experience a good death?

How can we integrate spiritual wellbeing within our personal, professional and family framework?

We are now planning the next stages of an ongoing programme of support and training for those who are involved in palliative and end of life care.

Course times : Friday evening 6.30 – 9pm Saturday 9.30/10 am – 7pm Sunday 9.30/10am – 1pm

For more information and to book please contact Jos who will provide payment details info@roselidden.co.uk

‘Taking Care of Ourselves’

A 4 week course on Wednesday afternoons in July 2019 at Roselidden

Open to everyone directly or indirectly involved in palliative care, regardless of professional or personal experience. Be it someone who is facing their own terminal illness, someone caring for others in that situation, or someone who is facing the pain of loss and bereavement.

Covering issues such as :-

Managing our own wellbeing in the face of constant and on-going demands.

Issues of grieving, as well as caring at end of life.

Keeping a sense of balance so we do not get drained of compassion and caring. (Being compassionate demands total presence and attention – and without skilful means can lead to exhaustion).

Personal preparation to encounter death well (and thereby appreciate and enjoy life more fully).

We connect with the world on three levels – the physical body, the heart and our spirit. When one, or more, becomes overworked we need to rebalance and thus maintain our equilibrium – so we can continue, without draining our own reserves.

Keeping a wholesome balance between all three is an ongoing act of looking after ourselves.

Though the emphasis was to connect with our own individual needs, the workshops were also a time for sharing our experiences with others.