Mary Stevens Hospice staff have delivered a workshop to improve the awareness of palliative care available to the homeless and vulnerable community in the Dudley Borough.

Staff from the Hospice ran the one-off session for staff from West Midlands Police, Midland Heart and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to discuss what could be done to ensure that access to palliative care is available to the homeless and vulnerable community and to support organisations in the area to feel more confident and knowledgeable when offering information on how to access that support. Gemma Allen, Diversity and Inclusion Project Lead, Mary Stevens Hospice Group said:

“Mary Stevens Hospice's strategic vision is to provide more care for more people in our community including people from marginalised groups whose needs at end of life are often seldom-heard.

"By facilitating the education workshop, we are not only raising awareness of the services we provide but educating frontline staff working directly with those who are homeless and vulnerable in Dudley.”

Attendees were asked to book in advance and the session was over-subscribed, with 14 community figures attending on behalf of the relevant organisations and a waiting list of interested parties who were unable to attend due to venue capacity. Julie Mason, Detective Inspector, Brierley Hill Police Station, added:

“Thank you from staff at West Midlands Police Dudley for your fantastic and really thought-provoking input about how we can be more aware of what is available and help to recognise those that may be coming to the end of their lives and need help.

"We look forward to continuing that work with you to bring what you do to those that desperately need it out in the community.”

The workshop took place at Saltbrook Place, Lye on Wednesday 4th July and, due to the demand, Hospice staff are exploring whether there is an opportunity to run the workshop again at a later date for those who weren't able to attend.