PEOPLE being asked to celebrate life by sharing their favourite images of friends, family or pets that have died in a bid to start conversation about "why dying matters." 

In Thurrock, St Luke’s Hospice and NHS Thurrock CCG have teamed up to help families and friends plan if someone they love is nearing the end of their life.

The online campaign, called Die Well Essex, and is being supported by health, social care, charities and voluntary groups across the county in the lead up to a national awareness week called Dying Matters from 8-14 May.

Using Instagram, people are being encouraged to share their favourite images of people, places or things that celebrate life as well as acknowledging the reality of death.

It’s also hoped that the social media campaign will start a conversation about why dying matters and help to signpost people to support and services available locally.

Louise Banks, Head of Communications and Engagement at NHS Thurrock CCG said: “We support this campaign and it’s great to be working with St Luke’s Hospice to promote dying matters week. Some people still find it impossible to talk about dying and death, it’s one of society’s last taboos.

"But we support the way of thinking that sharing experiences, making plans and doing things to improve quality of life before dying can turn a sad time into a time of making positive memories.

“We hope you will come and share your experiences and pictures with us at Grays Shopping Centre on 10 May.”

Dr Elizabeth Towers, a Macmillan GP working in Chelmsford, explains: “We’re looking for photos of places where people have felt happiest before dying or images of people and things that celebrate life in the face of death.

"It doesn’t have to be gloomy, although for some people the right image will contain sadness.

“At the same time as sharing a picture, we’re looking to start a conversation about what people in the community can do to plan for dying and how people can support others in times of grief and bereavement.

“Caring for people at the end of life is often the most difficult and overwhelming but talking about it and planning for dying can take a lot of the anxiety away.

“As part of wide network of health and care services supporting people to live and die well, it’s important to raise the profile of dying and to share experiences.”

For more information, visit dyingmatters.org or midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/diewell/join-the-thunderclap.