Northern Care Alliance hospitals light up for Grief Awareness Week

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Rochdale Infirmary will light up yellow for Grief Awareness Week

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA) is lighting up its hospitals in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and Salford to mark national Grief Awareness Week, which runs from 2 to 8 December 2020.

The hospitals will be lit up in yellow from 6pm to 12 midnight on 8 December as part of a Lighting Up Greater Manchester event.

The event will give hospital staff, patients and visitors an opportunity to remember those who have died and will show the group's care and support for those who are grieving.

Some other notable buildings in the vicinity of the hospitals will also be lighting up yellow at the same time including, Rochdale Bridge, The Lowry Theatre, Salford Arts Theatre, Oldham Civic Centre, Oldham Coliseum, and Oldham Leisure and Bury Town Hall.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group brings together the Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Trusts and operates hospitals and community services in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and Salford.

Fiona Murphy MBE, Director of Nursing for End of Life, Bereavement and Donation at the NCA said: “Lighting up our hospitals yellow will clearly signal to our patients, our staff, visitors and those in the vicinity that the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group is here to support those who have lost a loved one, that we care, and that they are not alone. During the pandemic many of us are separated from our loved ones by distance, however that does not mean we cannot share our grief, just because somebody is smiling does not mean they are not grieving.”

During the time while the hospitals are lit up yellow the NCA will be inviting staff and members of the public to light a candle or shine a light and share images and messages on Twitter at @NCAAlliance_NHS using the hashtags #shareyourstory and #NGAW20.

Grief Awareness Week is spearheaded by The Good Grief Trust, the UK’s leading umbrella charity bringing over 800 support services together under one database. The charity offers a choice of tailored local, regional, and national support, for both the bereaved and those working with them.

The focus of this annual campaign is to raise awareness of the impact of grief on a national platform and ensure those needing help are aware of the breadth of support services available across the UK.

Sharing stories helps others to understand the impact of grief and loss, enabling conversations to take place, opening emotions and feelings that are often difficult to express.

For further information and support, please contact The NCA’S SWAN Bereavement Team or for support in Greater Manchester, please visit:

• www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk
• www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/contact-us/