The report, Sing our own Song: End-of-Life Care and the Irish Community in Britain, is a result of the largest national consultation in the community on this subject as part of the Meitheal Muintire: Irish End-of-Life Project.
The report draws on evidence from community consultations, key informant interviews, digital surveys and a panel discussion and identifies persistent gaps in culturally competent care at the end of life and after death.
The launch event heard from a range of speakers who had played a part in the project so far. After an introduction from Ambassador Fraser, John Delahunty the CEO of Innisfree described how the project came about from his own experiences of seeing tenants at the end of their lives.
Dr Mary Tilki, health researcher, campaigner and author of the report gave an overview of the findings and recommendations, highlighting the need for people to have sometimes difficult conversations about their wishes for end-of-life care, funeral arrangements and writing wills.
She also pointed to the work already being done in the community to, for example, set up culturally sensitive bereavement groups and befriending, highlighting the importance of services that are peer-led.
Katie Doyle, Survivors Integrated Services Manager at the London Irish Centre, shared the specific circumstances of the many survivors of Ireland’s institutions who live in Britain.
She explained that the prospect of being admitted into a care home or hospice could be deeply traumatic for someone who has suffered abuse in such an institutional setting in the past.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, Mind recounted her personal experience of caring for loved ones at the end of their lives and how official support services need to be aware of some of the culture and traditions of Irish people around death, dying and funerals.
Two videos were also shown, one was made by Kevin Toolis, author of My Father’s Wake as well a short poem read by Ian Duhig, created at a poetry workshop with the Irish community in Leeds.
Brian Dalton, CEO Irish in Britain wrapped up proceeding and talked about what a privilege and a humbling experience it had been to work in the Irish community on this project and our obligation to organise for better care for individuals and their families.
He described how emotional some of the workshops had been, and paid tribute to the people that have supported the project with testimony, professional reflection and ideas for improvement.
He talked about how partnerships will be important for taking this project into the future to inform practice, policy and helping providers understand the needs of the Irish community within end-of-life care: “We will work in partnership with anyone, we see this as a universal theme affecting communities across Britain today.”
See page turner version of the report HERE
Open PDF version of full report HERE.
Go to the Meitheal Muintire Irish End-of-Life Care Project page HERE.