The Before I Die Wall project
What's on your bucket list?
What are your aspirations in life?
As part of an artwork installation, St Elizabeth Hospice is asking these questions to the local Ipswich community to open up conversations about death, loss and grief.
Located opposite DanceEast, on St Peter's Dock, the chalkboard installation will encourage the local community to write, in chalk provided, their ambitions for that they wish to do before they die, in a ‘bucket list’ style piece of art.
The 8-metre wall will be on Ipswich’s Waterfront for the month of May, coinciding with ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’ (8-14 May), an annual national initiative which encourages communities, individuals and organisations to come together and open up the conversation around death, dying and bereavement.
Why are St Elizabeth Hospice doing this?
The ‘Before I Die’ wall is a global participatory art project and in Ipswich will contribute to the missions of St Elizabeth Hospice and its facilitation of the ‘Compassionate Communities’ work in the local area.
Hugh McElhinney, Volunteer Community Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for the hospice to be able to bring the ‘Before I Die’ wall initiative to Ipswich and we thank Ipswich Borough Council and Art Eat Events for their support with facilitating this.
“This will be a unique way for St Elizabeth Hospice to mark Dying Matters Awareness Week 2023, but also one which we hope will encourage the community to open up conversations with friends and loved ones concerning death and how we can all support one another with death, loss and grief."
Ipswich Borough Councillor, Colin Kreidewolf, said: “I am delighted St Elizabeth Hospice has brought Compassionate Communities to Ipswich Waterfront, allowing Ipswich people to participate in this poignant and thought-provoking project.”
The project is funded by the Central Area Committee.
Need bereavement support? LivingGrief can help
LivingGrief is the St Elizabeth Hospice bereavement service, co-ordinating bereavement support for East Suffolk.
LivingGrief specialises in bereavement from life-limiting, long term illnesses and COVID-19 bereavement. Our services are open to anyone in East Suffolk, even if you haven't had contact with the hospice before.
Discuss how you're feeling and how you can be supported through our enquiry line:
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Enquiry phone line, Monday - Friday, 9am-4pm 0300 303 5196
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Alternatively, you can email the team here
Useful links to support you and your community
Click on the links below to go to third party sites which are recommended by St Elizabeth Hospice:
Discover what Compassionate Communities offers
