Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT) is supporting a national day of reflection on 23 March to remember people who have died during the pandemic, and all those who have been bereaved.
The ‘National Day of Reflection’ is led by end of life charity Marie Curie and takes place on Tuesday 23 March – the anniversary of the UK going into the first national lockdown. Marie Curie estimates that over three million people have been bereaved since the pandemic began, yet many have been unable to properly say goodbye to loved ones or grieve.
What will be happening at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
The ‘National Day of Reflection’ will give the nation and communities a moment to remember, grieve and celebrate everyone who has died during this time and show support for our families, friends and colleagues who are grieving.
Somerset FT is planning to honour all those who have died during the pandemic, regardless of their cause of death.
A minute silence will be held at 12 noon on 23 March and there will be a memorial tree at Musgrove Park Hospital’s chapel, which will hold the names of people who have died under their care throughout the last year.
In addition every Thursday our chaplaincy team continues to host a 15 minute pause for reflection, followed by a 30 minute virtual coffee break. For more details visit the website.
How you can get involved
Somerset FT’s bereavement and chaplaincy teams invite families whose loved ones died in our care during the last 12 months, to send the name of the person who has died to its patient experience team.
You can do this by emailing myvoice@somersetft.nhs.uk and using ‘National Day of Reflection’ as the subject heading.
The person’s name will be written onto a yellow leaf, read out and hung on the tree. Should any family wish to have the leaf afterwards, please include a postal address in the body of the email and it can be sent to them to keep.
