How will you make your voice heard at the end of life? National Advance Care Planning Day July 1st 2026
Many of us have made our wills and we may even have talked to family and friends about what we would like at our funeral. However, research suggests that most people have not planned for what they would want to happen when they become more unwell towards the end of their lives and decisions need to be made about their care.
Advance care planning is the term used in England and Wales to cover the range of options we have available to make our wishes and preferences clear, some of which are legally binding but all of which would need to be considered by the health and social professionals involved in our care. While we have the mental capacity to make our own decisions, we can obviously do so, but as we become more unwell, many of us lose this capacity. Others then have to make decisions on our behalf so it is vital that they have the right information about what we would want and who we would want to speak for us at this critical time.
As a nurse involved in end of life and palliative care for nearly forty years, Liz Lawley, one of our local members, teaches and writes on end of life care and advance care planning. She has had extensive experience of the difficulties and distress that can arise for those close to us when we have not made our wishes clear and when important decisions have to be made, such as where we want to be cared for or whether we would choose to have invasive treatments.
On 1st July, which is National Advance Care Planning Day, Liz will be leading a discussion and information session in the Balsall Common Methodist Church café area from 2 – 4pm when she will explain what steps we can take to draw up advance care plans, signpost to resources and answer questions.
Everyone is welcome, and can bring a friend or family member with them.