Life, Loss and Death: An LGBTQIA+ Community Conversation - In Person

We collaborate with people, communities and organisations across Sheffield, enabling them to do the small things that make a big difference to our life and experience of death.

Compassionate Sheffield

A space for Sheffi­eld’s LGBTQIA+ community, to come together to talk openly about feelings surrounding life, loss and death

Weston Park Museum

Sheffield Life, Loss and Death Festival May 2025

Sheffield Life, Loss and Death Festival 2025 includes ten events taking place across Sheffield throughout May 2025. The festival is curated by Compassionate Sheffield, and aims to create spaces for people to come together to talk openly, without stigma.

This event creates a space for Sheffi­eld’s LGBTQIA+ community, of all adult ages, to come together to talk openly about feelings surrounding life, loss and death, and what brings us together. The facilitated discussion offers a non-judgemental space to ask questions and share thoughts, feelings and ideas. There’ll be opportunities to learn about and access helpful resources, created for and with the queer community, relating to end of life care, death and grief. The event is kindly being hosted by Zest’s 50+ LGBTQIA+ Group and facilitated by Ash Hayhurst, funeral professional and author of the Queer Funeral Guide.We hope that this event provides a space for the queer community to come together, talk about life, loss and death in a space which acknowledges stigma, but enables open conversation without judgement. The group will be invited to learn from one another, share things that are important to us, share ideas and ask questions. There’ll be some prompt questions and opportunities for reflection and shared learning. Attendees will be very welcome to take part as much or as little as they feel comfortable with and involvement is always invitational.Please note, that this event provides a space for shared learning, and facilitated conversation around the topics of life, loss and death. This may include discussion about grief, bereavement, death, end of life care, funerals and more. The topics we discuss may be emotive and sensitive, so we encourage attendees to be mindful of this, to practice self-care and take breaks if needed. Attendees will be very welcome to leave if they feel they need to and will also be welcome to stay after the event to talk with the team.The event organisers, Compassionate Sheffield, will share principles for taking part in a way that feels as supportive and safe as possible for the group, including a group agreement both at the start of the event, and via email before the event. Please note that this event is not a space for accessing personal support and guidance, or group counselling or therapy.There will be no photos taken at this event. Who is this event for?This event is for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are interested in joining peers to have an open and supportive conversation, together, about themes surrounding life, loss and death. It’s a space for people to come together to learn from and with each other, and to explore our own thoughts, worries reflections and questions. It’s also a space for members of the LGBTQIA community to access resources created for and with the community, relating to information about life, loss and death. Attendees must be 18 or over. We kindly ask that allies do not attend this event, with the exception of carers.The LGBTQIA+ Community face unique and nuanced needs, experiences, worries and challenges relating to death, dying, loss and grief and in accessing support and care. That’s why it’s important to create inclusive and affirming spaces, where we can come together to support one another, listen, learn, ask questions and feel heard and validated in these conversations. For safety and security:In order to attend this event, you must book your free space via Eventbrite and provide your name and your email address.You must bring your ticket (digitally or printed out) to show to the event team on the day.Walks in are not allowed and anyone without a ticket will not be able to join the event.All attendees will be contacted, via email, before the event with information about the exact venue location, accessibility information and guidance for the day, including group principles. Who is facilitating the event?The event will be facilitated by Ash Hayhurst (He/Him). Ash Hayhurst is a funeral professional and author of the Queer Funeral Guide. He also leads the GIRES Being Ready Project which aims to improve death, dying and bereavement care for trans and gender diverse people.The conversation will be facilitated by Cally Bowman (She/Her) a member of the Compassionate Sheffield team and a queer, therapeutic counsellor. Sheffield Life, Loss and Death Festival 2025 This event is one of ten free events taking place as part of the Sheffield Life, Loss and Death Festival throughout May 2025. The festival is curated by Compassionate Sheffield, and aims to create spaces for people to come together to have conversations about life, loss and death. Full details, including the event calendar, can be found on the festival web page: <a href="https://www.compassionate-sheffield.co.uk/life-loss-and-death-festival" title="https://www.compassionate-sheffield.co.uk/life-loss-and-death-festival" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.compassionate-sheffield.co.uk/life-loss-and-death-festival</a> Cancelling your ticket If you book a ticket and find that you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your ticket, as soon as you are able to, or contact the team at <a href="mailto:team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk" title="mailto:team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk</a> or via 07842 444 714 to let us know. Many of our events sell out and have wait lists, so this enables us the opportunity to offer your space to someone else. Event accessibility:Detailed accessibility information and directions will be emailed to attendees before the event.AccessAble pages:<ul><li><a href="https://www.accessable.co.uk/sheffield-city-council/access-guides/weston-park-museum" title="https://www.accessable.co.uk/sheffield-city-council/access-guides/weston-park-museum" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.accessable.co.uk/sheffield-city-council/access-guides/weston-park-museum</a></li></ul>The Weston Park website has accessibility information:<ul><li><a href="https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/accessibility/" title="https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/accessibility/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/accessibility/</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/plan-your-visit/" title="https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/plan-your-visit/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum/plan-your-visit/</a></li></ul>How to access the venue:• The venue is Wheelchair Accessible and has level access throughout.Parking:• There are three disabled parking spaces available toward the bottom of Mushroom Lane near the tennis courts (access to the museum from these is through the park).• Blue badge holders may also park in the Pay &amp; Display bays on Mushroom Lane, (near the Dam House entrance) and on Damer Street (near to the Weston Park gates) without the need to pay or adhere to the 4-hour max stay.• Similar Pay &amp; Display bays are also available for use a little further away on Northumberland Road.Public transport:• The nearest bus stop is at Western Bank / Clarkson Street or Western Bank / Damer Street.• The nearest tram stop is University of Sheffield.Food and refreshments:Hot drinks will be available as well as biscuits.Quiet spaces:• There is not a designated quiet space, however there is seating in the picnic area on the first floor and the foyer of the ground floor. These areas may not be quiet, but offer some seating outside of the event space if you would like a break.Toilets:• Accessible toilets are located at reception and in the main museum corridor on the ground floor and in the picnic space on the upper floor.• There is a Changing Places toilet just off the main museum corridor on the ground floor. It has a height adjustable changing bench, ceiling track hoist (max. load 200kg, sling required), height-adjustable wash basin, toilet with alarm pull cord and privacy screen. Access is via a Radar key, available from the museum foyer.COVID Safety Precautions:• Masks are welcome at all our events.• If you have tested positive for Covid, or think you may have Covid, we would kindly ask you to not attend the event.• There will be a HEPA filter within the room.Accessibility support:• To discuss any accessibility needs in advance of the event please email <a href="https://team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk" title="https://team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">team@compassionatesheffield.co.uk</a> or ring 07842 444 714• The person supporting with accessibility on the day will be Caroline Plenty, part of the Compassionate Sheffield team.

Agenda

Please arrive on time between 12:50-1pm, to ensure a prompt start to this event. Please be prepared to show your ticket upon arrival.  
There’ll be time to grab yourself a hot drink and biscuit and take a seat.

Arrival:

The team will introduce themselves and welcome everybody, before sharing details about what to expect, when there will be breaks and some safety and support information.  
Attendees will be invited to introduce themselves briefly, this is invitational and not required.

Welcome and Introductions

Ash will then share information about his role, experience and expertise.

There will be a ten minute break at around 2pm.

Short Break

Attendees will then be invited to share any questions, and the facilitated group conversation will begin. 

Conversation

We’ll begin to bring the session to an end at around 2:50pm with an invitational chance to share any learning or reflections with the group. 
The event will end at 3pm but attendees are welcome to stay a little longer to speak to one another or the event facilitators.  

All attendees will be asked to leave the venue by 3:30pm. 

Bringing the Conversation to a close

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Life, Loss and Death: An LGBTQIA+ Community Conversation - In Person

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Life, Loss and Death: An LGBTQIA+ Community Conversation - In Person

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