Posted on 5th May 2026

You may see some of our nurses out and about in Shopshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales this week helping to dispel myths about hospice care. 

Taking part in a special ‘Shop Swap’ initiative, our nurses are visiting our community shops across the region to help dispel common myths about hospice care and encourage open conversations about death and dying. 

The visits form part of a nationwide campaign organised by Hospice UK to mark Dying Matters Awareness Week, running from 4 – 10 May. 

The awareness week is their flagship campaign, aiming to create a culture where people feel more comfortable talking about death, supporting those planning for end of life, and helping individuals who are grieving.

Open conversations

Debbie Morris, Matron at Severn Hospice said: “We know how important it is to talk about death, dying and bereavement and how difficult this can be for so many people. Through our Shop Swap visits, we hope to encourage open conversations and help remove the stigma and taboo that still surrounds these topics.

“From our experience, many people feel unsure how to begin these conversations with loved ones. That’s why we’ll be offering practical advice, alongside information about the care we provide and how to access it.

“There’s a common misconception that hospices are simply places people come to die, but that could not be further from the truth. Our focus is on helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible, while managing serious illness, and for four out of five of patients our care means they can be at home.

“Our nurses support patients and their families with dignity, respect and compassion. While some conversations can be difficult, nothing about hospice care should feel taboo and we strive to make the journey as smooth and supportive as possible for everyone who needs us.”

Dying matters

A spokesman for Hospice UK said: “Death, dying and bereavement affect us all. Yet, according to research from polling commissioned by Celebration Day in 2025, 27% of people find it hard to talk about death with family or friends, and 30% bottle their feelings up. 

“If we don’t talk about death and dying and bereavement, it can be harder to cope when we experience it. The mission of Dying Matters is to break down the stigma and taboo of talking about death and dying. But sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start.” 

The nurses will be visiting shops in Shrewsbury, Ellesmere, Oakengates, Whitchurch, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Llanidloes and Machynlleth.  

Each year, more than 3,000 people living with incurable illnesses receive care, either on our wards or within the community. We’re independent of the NHS and depend on fundraising, legacies, donations, and income from our network of shops to support our services. Find out how you can support us here.