Live well, die well: how can we do it?

We all face the reality of declining health and eventually, death. By thinking about these experiences early, and making conversations about them more normal, we can better understand what matters to us – from the quality of our lives to the care we may need.

In this workshop, you’ll be given practical resources that you can use to kickstart meaningful conversations with your family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues.

Together, we’ll watch a short video, pausing along the way to reflect on important questions and ideas. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to share and use these resources to spark your own conversations about end-of-life care, your needs, and death, within your own groups.

This event is an interactive group discussion so may involve talking in groups, small individual or group tasks and self-reflection. You can be as involved as you feel comfortable doing so and will never be required to take part in an activity if you do not wish to do so. Pens and notepads will be provided.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Please note that Curious events taking place in ‘The Workshop’ are only wheelchair accessible via our main lift. The lift’s door has a width of 79cm and the lift has a depth of 143cm. Please note, that access to the lift is limited by a narrow 77cm width corridor. Accessible toilet facilities for activities taking place in this space are also accessed by the main lift. Please contact us at Curious@therse.org.uk if you would like further information or visit our RSE Accessibility page on our website.

• Content warning: this event includes themes and video content involving feath and palliative care that could be distressing to some.
• Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

SPEAKER

Professor Scott Murray MBE FRS FRSE

Emeritus Professor of Primary Palliative Care, University of Edinburgh

Scott Murray believes that access to healthcare and comfort in the face of death – i.e. palliative care – is a basic human right. He is passionate about ensuring that the public in general, and patients with any life-threatening illness in particular, understand more about the process of dying so they can plan for what they wish. He promotes “future care planning” throughout Scotland, with general practitioners helping people boldly plan ahead to face the final frontier. He founded the Primary Palliative Care Group at the University of Edinburgh.

SPEAKER

Becky Chaddock

Future Care Planning Lead, St Columba’s Hospice Care, Edinburgh

Becky Chaddock is a Palliative Care Social Worker, currently Future Care Planning Lead at St Columba’s Hospice Care, Edinburgh. She has been working in hospice and palliative care since 2008 in a variety of roles, including establishing a single point of contact for all hospice referrals and enquiries. She has an honours Divinity degree from St. Andrews University and studied for her MSc in Applied Social Sciences and trained as a social worker at the University of Oxford. She is Scotland co-rep for the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers and council member of the Scottish Partnership Palliative Care. She has published on early intervention and advance care planning, and most recently is co-authored the UK chapter of Second Edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work, 2021.

SPEAKER

Roddy Ferguson

Community Development Lead, St Columba’s Hospice Care

Roddy Ferguson advocates for a public health approach to palliative care. Over the last half-century, there have been significant improvements in life expectancy and in the palliative care provided by health and social care professionals. At the same time, individuals and communities have become less familiar with death as a natural part of life, and less confident in our shared ability to support and care for one another. Roddy uses public health approaches such as community development, health promotion, and health literacy to empower individuals and build capacity across communities. Through his work at St Columba’s hospice, he supports communities to feel more comfortable talking about serious illness, dying, and loss, and more confident in caring for one another throughout

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 6 − Saturday 14 September 2025!

Curious is a festival of ideas – open to all and driven by connection, conversation, and discovery. It’s a chance to explore ideas and questions that matter with some of Scotland’s leading thinkers – and with people who bring their own lived experiences, insights, and curiosity to the table.

From science and society to arts and innovation, the programme spans a wide range of topics – with each event designed to spark dialogue, invite different perspectives, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Curious is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, plus those who see the world differently, and be part of discussions where everyone is welcome to share, learn, and be inspired. Full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website: Accessibility - Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) : Royal Society of Edinburgh

The RSE is trialling the WelcoMe app for our public events. This app enables visitors with accessibility needs to discreetly inform our staff of any assistance required before their visit. Simply fill out a quick form with your needs and estimated arrival time, and our team will be ready to accommodate you.

Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on curious@therse.org.uk.

Please note that Curious events taking place in ‘The Workshop’ are only wheelchair accessible via our main lift. The lift’s door has a width of 79cm and the lift has a depth of 143cm. Please note, that access to the lift is limited by a narrow 77cm width corridor. Accessible toilet facilities for activities taking place in this space are also accessed by the main lift. Please contact us at Curious@therse.org.uk if you would like further information or visit our RSE Accessibility page on our website.

Privacy Policy

Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.

Newsletter

If you would like to receive information from the RSE on forthcoming events and activities, including our Newsletter, please contact public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk

Please visit the RSE FAQs page for further details about venue and events.