Hospice Awareness Week is an opportunity to profile and celebrate the services that hospices provide in their local communities, and address misconceptions that people may have around hospice care. This year Hospice Awareness Week runs from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.

If you’d like to watch hospice staff; a music therapist, clinical psychologist, biographer and volunteer share their stories regarding hospice care in a heart-warming and insightful video series click here.  These stories aim to express the breadth and value of hospice care which is precious and often very joyful.

Here at Hospice Tairāwhiti we are encouraging the public to help celebrate the week by dropping in at the Pop-Up Café.  Back by popular demand the café, situated next to the Hospice Shop in Peel Street, is a favourite in the community. Last year individuals, social groups and work groups found the Café a perfect opportunity to enjoy barista-made coffee, tea and homemade sweet treats. The Pop-up Café is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am – 2pm, 17-19 May. 

New to the café experience this year will be the opportunity for people to purchase original artwork and wooden items for sale. 

Artist Claire Kizlink has been painting over four decades exhibiting her work in Monaco, Switzerland, and Austria. Her exhibitions have supported organisations such as Monaco Red Cross and AMAD a children’s charity.  This year Claire is supporting Hospice Tairāwhiti by donating all proceeds from the sale of her paintings to Hospice.

 Also supporting Hospice Tairāwhiti is the Gisborne Woodturners Club. Club members have made a range of wooden items, such as toys and bowls, that will be for sale at the café.  Like the artwork, the proceeds from the sale of the wooden items will be donated to Hospice. 

 A special part of Hospice Awareness Week is the annual Remembrance Service.  Each year Hospice takes time to honour and remember those who have died during the past year and have been part of the hospice community in Tairāwhiti. The Remembrance Service is a gentle approach with waiata, prayer and reflection to allow a thoughtful space to contemplate and think about loved ones and each other. The occasion is open to the community, not only those who have had an association with Hospice.  The service is being held on Thursday, 19 May at 4pm at Hospice Tairāwhiti. Due to current restrictions numbers are limited. Please RSVP to admin@hospicetairawhiti.org.nz or 869 0552.   Masks are required.  

Everyone in our community is encouraged to be a part of Hospice Awareness Week.