Grant funding from Alliance Homes has helped Weston Hospicecare run a series of creative workshops in Weston-super-Mare to break down barriers around end-of-life planning.
The sessions were held in Alliance Homes’ community hubs, supporting those who may feel unsure or uncomfortable about visiting the charity’s hospice centre in Uphill, Weston-super-Mare, by giving them a welcoming, local space closer to home.
Weston Hospicecare says advance care planning can significantly improve the quality of palliative care and reduce stress and uncertainty for families and loved ones at the end of life. However, it recognises that these conversations can be difficult to start.
Through simple craft activities, each workshop encouraged participants to reflect on their wishes and open conversations with carers, family members and healthcare professionals. The grant funding covered the cost of the materials and running the sessions.
Participants described the workshops as a safe space to share experiences that can often feel difficult to express.
One attendee said the sessions allowed them to feel comfortable enough to talk openly about their situation and wishes, adding they felt “vulnerable enough to talk about my experience.”
Jennifer Wakefield Brosius, Day Services Manager and Project Lead at Weston Hospicecare, said the project helped make difficult conversations more approachable:
“Although conversations around death and dying can be difficult, planning for the future and talking to family, friends, and healthcare providers about your wishes can make a massive difference to the quality of care people receive at the end of their lives.
“The No Barriers Here project, supported by Alliance Homes through both funding and access to their community spaces, has helped to break down barriers around these important conversations and make them more accessible to our communities.”
Alliance Homes’ Communities Together Grants are decided by customer priorities and support local charities, community groups and projects. Applications for Communities Together Grants 2026 are now open and close on Sunday 22 February 2026. To find out more and apply, visit www.alliancehomes.org.uk/communities-together-grants.