St. Joseph's Hospice Merseyside’s Post

Father’s Day is nearly here (June 16th). Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! Keep in mind, these special days can be an especially difficult time if you have recently lost your dad or grandpa. It helps to have a plan for how you want to spend the day. 1. DO SOMETHING IN HIS MEMORY. What did he enjoy doing? Golfing? Fishing? Hiking? Watching baseball? If so play a round of golf (even if it’s just 9 holes), go fishing, take a hike or go to a baseball game, in his memory. Reflect on fond memories of him while doing this. 2. SHARE A SPECIAL MEAL AND MEMORIES: What was his favorite restaurant? Consider going there to order what he enjoyed. What was his favorite home- made dinner? Consider making that and sharing it with loved ones. Either way, make time to share fond memories of the great man you are missing today. 3. MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO A CAUSE IMPORTANT TO HIM: Think about an organization or cause near and dear to his heart and make a contribution in his memory. Maybe a charity he supported, somewhere he volunteered, or even the organization which most closely aligns with his cause of death. (i.e. heart attack- donate heart association). 4. VISIT THE CEMETERY IF THAT BRINGS YOU COMFORT. You can leave a card, a flower, or small monument or keepsake.. For those men who have lost a child or who yearn to be a dad and are still waiting, remember this is a tough day for them too. Reach out. You aren’t going to remind them or make them sad. They already remember and are sad. Most often, it means a lot when others, not only remember, but reach out as well. It can be as simple as a text like this: “thinking of you on this difficult day”. May Dads, on earth and in heaven, as well as men yearning for fatherhood, all be blessed with peace this Father’s Day.

Greetings beautiful beings, I hope you’re drinking water, breathing deeply, and taking care of yourselves. As the holiday season unfolds, I find myself reflecting on grief—my own and that of so many others around me. 2024 has been a year of profound loss and lessons. I lost both of the people who raised me, and business hasn’t been booming. As an entrepreneur, grief doesn’t always leave room for quarterly goals or lead follow-ups. Some days, I’ve had to choose between caring for myself and growing the business. Many of us work in systems that don’t honor the human experience. These systems—our workplaces, industries, and societal norms—often lack the grace and flexibility needed to acknowledge the full range of emotions and life events that shape how we show up. Grief has taught me the importance of community. It has shown me that we all need spaces where we can feel seen, heard, and supported as we navigate loss. Managing Love and Healing Work has been a reminder of why I do this work: to create the spaces I long to see. Spaces where healing and humanity are at the center. As we move through this season, I invite you to join me in one of those spaces. On December 26th, I’m hosting a Collective Grief Experience to honor what we’ve lost. Through grounding, meditation, and storytelling, we’ll hold space for ourselves and each other to process grief in community. If this resonates with you—or someone you know—a co-worker, family member, friend, or peer, please join us. Share this invitation with someone who might need it. Together, let’s honor our experiences, nurture our healing, and remind each other that we’re not alone. Free to attend | Donations welcomed #LoveAndHealingWork #CollectiveGrief #HonoringLoss #HumanCenteredSpaces #EntrepreneurshipAndGrief #CommunityHealing https://lnkd.in/djt47sTp

Make sure you do something to make YOU smile this October 5 on National Do Something Nice Day.   Traditionally this holiday encourages us to perform acts of kindness for strangers or loved ones — or both! It’s easy to become so caught up in our own stresses and struggles that we forget to show kindness to others. This holiday is a great reminder that doing good deeds makes the world better....they sure do! BUT we know that as fundraisers YOU do this everyday! So this Do Something Nice Day we at the Fundraising Nest encourage you to do something nice for YOU. And its the weekend too!   So this weekend Do something nice for YOU with Us! 🛌 Take a break – Give yourself permission to relax and do something you enjoy, whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or watching your favorite show. 💖 Practice self-compassion – Treat yourself with kindness, especially when things don’t go as planned. Remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. 🥗 Eat something nourishing – Prepare a meal that makes you feel good, both physically and emotionally. Enjoy the process and savor every bite. ⛔ Unplug for a while – Disconnect from your phone or social media and give your mind a break. Focus on being present in the moment without distractions. 💃 Celebrate small wins – Acknowledge the little accomplishments in your day. It could be completing a task, taking care of yourself, or simply getting through a tough moment. And remember you are awesome 💥

Have you thought about how the commonly-used in-memory phrase "Celebrate a loved one" reflects postmodern trends of individualism, consumerism and pluralism? 😖 No. Me neither. Until today, at any rate. One of the great benefits of studying and consulting is that I get to explore the wider context around tactical fundraising choices. And this week, I've been reading about the move towards personalisation within funerals and how this relates to broader societal changes. It's made me think about how fundraising choices, like the National Trust's involvement with #celebrationday this past Bank Holiday Monday, the situation of in-memory giving within in-celebration fundraising or the linguistic choice of "celebrate" over "honour", might unintentionally take a stance in important sociological debates. A flavour of the death studies discussion around "celebration" is offered by this BBC piece, with opinions from thinkers such as Tamarin Norwood (Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Death and Society) and Chine McDonald. ❓ Does celebrating a life create space for talking about a loved one who's died? ❓ Does it make it even harder to share the pain of loss? ❓ By using this language, do charities risk supporting death and grief avoidance, rather than supporting bereaved people come to terms with what's happened? Big questions! Which is exactly why in-memory fundraising is such an interesting - and complicated - area to work in. If you'd like my help in approaching your unique in-memory challenges, I'd love to chat.

This Halloween, it’s time to skip the candy and choose to hand out something sweeter 🎃 — the gift of kindness.   It’s spoo0o0oky how much of a difference you can make by giving just a little! 👻 Triple Treat this Halloween by supporting three incredible charities that are “treating” some of the world’s scariest issues.   We know Halloween is all about tricks and treats, but why not make this year a little extra special? Instead of only focusing on spooky costumes and sweets, you can Triple Treat by donating $5 each to three charities making a huge impact!   Treating Mental Health 🧠 Support the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, Australia’s only dedicated mental health research charity. They focus on finding answers to mental health issues through groundbreaking research that could change lives. Your $5 donation can help offer new hope to those suffering in silence. Together, we can create a future where mental illness is understood and treated with the care it deserves. 💡   Treating Cancer 🎗️ With CanTeen, you’re supporting young Australians dealing with the devastating impact of cancer. Whether they’re fighting their own battle or supporting a family member, CanTeen helps them cope with the challenges cancer brings. Your $5 donation can give young people a safe space, access to resources, and the emotional support they need to navigate life’s toughest battle. 💪   Treating Our Planet 🌍 The Australian Conservation Foundation is on the front lines of the fight to protect our environment. From climate change to deforestation, they’re working tirelessly to safeguard our planet’s future. Your $5 contribution helps preserve our natural world, ensuring a healthy, thriving environment for generations to come. 🌱     🕸️ The Triple Treat Challenge 🕸️ For just $5 per charity, you can support life-changing causes — and that’s the best kind of treat you can give this Halloween! Whether it’s donating your money or volunteering your time, there are endless ways to make a difference. It’s time to take action against the real-life horrors affecting people and the planet.   Imagine if everyone chose to Triple Treat this Halloween! Together, we can support mental health research, provide cancer support for young Australians, and protect the environment. 🎃💫   So, this Halloween, skip the tricks and fill the world with treats that truly matter! Start your journey with GoodCompany and make a lasting impact by choosing to donate or volunteer today.   Ready to spook the world with kindness? 👻 Start your Triple Treat mission now by visiting www.goodcompany.com.au   

Giving Back Hope, Health, and Happiness Last Spring, Luke was a rural road warrior. Today, Luke champions the emotional health of an autistic toddler. However, our message today underscores one of LGCR's founding values: all dogs, regardless of breed, are born with natural gifts and talents. Providing dogs with hope through health delivers happiness to canines and humans. #kindness #compassion #integrity #charity https://lnkd.in/g3G8mcvF

Great initiative - well done

Memorial Day often carries a weight of trauma, especially for those who've lost loved ones in service. But what if we used this day as a springboard for healing, a first step out of the darkness? Trauma can leave us feeling isolated, but connection is the key to moving forward. This Memorial Day, consider reaching out and sharing stories of those we honor. Here are some ways to find solace and celebrate: 🇺🇲Connect with fellow veterans or families of service members.** Sharing experiences can be incredibly cathartic. 🇺🇲Volunteer at a veteran's organization. Giving back honors those who served while providing a sense of purpose. 🇺🇲Attend a local Memorial Day ceremony. Remembering together can create a powerful sense of community. 🇺🇲Focus on acts of kindness in your community. Helping others is a beautiful way to channel grief into something positive. What are YOU doing this Memorial Day to honor our fallen heroes and find healing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. #MemorialDay #Healing #TraumaAwareness #Community

🌟 Creating New Traditions to Honor Our Loved Ones🌟 During life's journey, loss takes us by surprise, leaving us searching for ways to keep memories alive. Yet, in these tender moments, there's a beautiful opportunity to transform sorrow into meaningful traditions that honor the legacies of those we've lost. Here are a few heartfelt ideas that can help heal and celebrate their lasting impact: 🌳 Plant a Tree: Nurture a tree in their memory, symbolizing growth and the continuation of life. Let it be a living testament to the strength and beauty they brought into the world. 🎁 Host a Charity Drive: Make a difference in your community by supporting causes close to their heart. This act of kindness not only honors their values but also spreads love and hope. 👨👩👧 Share Stories at Family Gatherings: Keep their spirit alive through shared memories. Host a gathering where everyone can share stories, laughter, and love in remembrance. Each tradition we create serves as a bridge between the past and the future, allowing love to echo through the corridors of time. ❤️ ✨ What new traditions have you started to honor your loved ones? Every story shared can inspire others to find comfort in their journeys. Share your ideas in the comments below. 💬 #HonoringLovedOnes #GriefHealing #LoveLivesOn #FamilyTraditions #LegacyOfLove 🔗 Feel free to connect with me if you need support in creating your own legacy traditions or if you wish to share your journey. Let's heal, remember, and celebrate together.

Small acts of kindness can create a powerful ripple effect in our communities. Whether it's helping a neighbor, complimenting a stranger, or volunteering your time, these gestures brighten someone's day and inspire others to do the same. What act of kindness have you experienced or given recently? Share below, and let's spread the positivity! 💬