24/05/2025
'Join us in our mission to empower communities and individuals to live their lives fully until the end. Your support can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.'
Mahatma Gandhi
I've just attended a 3 day hui in Whangarei for Compassionate Communities/ Honohono Tatou Katoa https://www.honohono.net/
hosted by the Go With Grace team. https://gowithgrace.nz/
An amazing gathering of people working in the end of life space:
Te Atawhai Aroha -Compassionate Communities Rotorua
https://taa.nz/
End of Life Doulas ELDAA (my crew) https://www.eldaa.org.nz/
North Haven Hospice https://www.northhavenhospice.org.nz/
Coastal Care Tutukaka, https://tutukakacoast.org/coastal-care-tutukaka/
A Graceful Undertaking https://www.graceful.co.nz/ to mention a few.
There were researchers, people sharing their experience of sudden death (not a dry eye in the theatre) and those of us gathered to learn and connect with others who also work and volunteer in the end of life space.
The upshot is this: the health services are barely coping as it is but we can help people in our communities now plus we need to prepare for the wave of us boomers known as "the silver tsumani".
I've had converations in our commuity already and had more at the hui with many people incuding local kuia who came for the last day. This is our aspiration - a Compassionate Community set up for Helensville (and surrounds). We already have some wonderful examples to follow and gain advice/support from. Coastal Care Tutukaka have been doing it for 30 years!
I'll be speaking with a core group initially then we'll reach out. So just planting the seed now.......
Honohono Tātou Katoa is dedicated to empowering compassionate communities in Tāmaki Makaurau through empathetic actions aimed at shifting attitudes and behaviours surrounding life, ageing, death, and grief. By collaborating, we ensure that everyone has access to exceptional palliative care.
