UK marks National Day of Reflection
Press release published
Two years since the start of the first UK Covid lockdown, end of life charity Marie Curie is leading the nation in the second National Day of Reflection today (Wednesday 23 March 2022). The day will give people across the UK the opportunity to connect, remember those who have died and support the millions of people who are grieving.
Over 350 organisations are taking part, including emergency services, schools, charities, businesses, institutions, community groups, faith leaders and bereaved families across the UK. The day is also being welcomed by politicians across the UK* and celebrities.
According to research released today by Marie Curie, almost a third (30 percent) of us do not think the nation has had the opportunity to truly reflect on the loss that we've seen in the last two years and more than half of us (53 percent) feel that we need a moment to reflect and process the impact and communal loss we have experienced.
Furthermore, 43 percent of people believe that we have become more empathetic or kinder, as a result of the last two years.
Jess Childs, age 40 from Machen (Wales) supports the National Day of Reflection. Her mum Olwen died aged 71 in November 2020 caused by primary bile duct and secondary pancreas and liver cancer, which she'd lived with for four years. Jess said:
It's incredibly important to have a day of remembrance, in particular because my mum was really desperate not to be recorded as a Covid statistic, but she still ultimately is a casualty of this period and there are loads and loads of families out there like us. This is why I think the National Day of Reflection is so important. A day like this should be for everyone who's lost their lives in this pandemic regardless of the circumstances and that will hopefully help families like ours to just feel, not that their deaths were in vain, but that they had their moment, they've had that recognition.
This year the day will feature a number of community-centred events encouraging people to talk, support each other and to reach out for help.
Activities will include a minute's silence at midday and, new this year, a series of Walls of Reflection across the country acting as community spaces where people can share thoughts about loved ones who've died.
Planned activities across the UK include:
• Covid19familiesuk will be tying yellow ribbons to Westminster Bridge, London, from 10am. London Ambulance Service is holding a service in its memorial garden at Waterloo Road, ahead of the minute's silence at noon. They will be joined by representatives from London Fire Brigade, St John Ambulance and NHS.
• A special poetry reading at St Michael's Mount in Cornwall at 8pm
• A school in Liverpool sharing memories of a treasured teacher who died last year
• Covid Bereaved Families creating a yellow and red heart chalk display in St Peters Square in Manchester - they will also be adding a blue and yellow heart in support of bereaved families in Ukraine.
• In Northern Ireland, a new sound exhibition as part of Belfast's Imagine! Festival for the public to share memories of loved ones
• In Wales, Cardiff pupils at Cantonian High School, Fairwater are creating their Wall of Reflection
• In Scotland, a Marie Curie representative will place a daffodil wreath at the site of what will become Scotland's Covid Memorial at Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Ruth May, NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, said: The last two years have been like no other and while this pandemic has taken a huge toll on the country as a whole, I am eternally thankful and proud of everything our health and care and workforce has achieved through all they have experienced and through the ongoing challenges they tackle every day to give the best care possible.
I have seen NHS staff across the length and breadth of the country step up to the task that has faced them, delivering the best possible care to their patients and supporting each other during some very difficult times. That is why it is so important that we get together and reflect as a nation on the impact COVID-19 has had on us all, especially those who are no longer with us.
Marie Curie Chief Nurse Julie Pearce said: While life is beginning to return to normal for some people, several million people are still living with the trauma of loss, and not being able to grieve properly. Let's take time to connect, and show support for the millions of people who are grieving, and remember the family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we've lost over the last two years. Whilst observing the minute's silence at midday, I will be thinking of all the nurses and health care professionals across Marie Curie and the NHS, and in particular the family of Marie Curie Senior Healthcare Assistant Barbara Sage who sadly died in April 2020.
Notes to editor
* Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
"Those lost to Covid will never be out of our hearts and minds, and today we reflect as a nation.
"The toll this pandemic has taken across the globe is immeasurable. The National Day of Reflection is a chance to come together, mourn, and offer our collective support and sympathies to all those grieving.
"It's also a chance to thank everyone who cared for us throughout. I saw first-hand the heroic efforts of NHS staff and I pay tribute to them, the grief counsellors, charity workers, and friends and families, as we pause to remember those we have lost."
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
"None of us will ever forget the experience of Covid - or the amazing work of the NHS and other key workers - which is why the Speaker's Chaplain will include a mention of the National Day of Reflection in prayers before the Chamber sits on 23 March.
"We are also hoping to hold a memorial service to remember parliamentary colleagues we have lost, including to Covid, in recent times."
Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, said:
"The National Day of Reflection is a moment to remember all those lost to covid, and to mark their lives. Behind every death are bereaved families and friends. My thoughts today are also with them.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, we must not forget the long tail of grief it leaves, and the profound impact it has had on us all. For so many, life is now permanent altered, and we won't forget it.
"Today I also thank the charities, community organisations, faith groups and volunteers who supported those going through illness, loss and grief. Their experiences will also never leave them. Their spirit and generosity are exemplary examples of British values."
Keir Starmer will be marking the minute's silence privately.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, said:
"My condolences go to everyone who has lost a loved one as we mark two immensely difficult years since the first national lockdown.
"Every single person across the country has felt the impact of the COVID-19 virus; as a society collectively we grieve for everything we have lost to it. Even now, as we can be grateful for the far greater normality we are able to return to, it is vital we pause to recognise and process that grief.
"The National Day of Reflection provides an important opportunity for us all to come together, to support one another and remember those we have lost."
First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said,
"We have all lived our lives in the shadow of the pandemic. It has touched our lives and so many have made big sacrifices. Many have lost family members, loved ones or friends. That is why this moment of reflection is so important to so many people right across Wales."
Minister for Health for Northern Ireland Robin Swann MLA said:
"The Annual Day of Reflection provides us with an important opportunity to pause and remember the lives of all those who sadly died in the past two years. We also acknowledge the pain and grief of bereaved families. Experiencing loss during the pandemic will have meant that many people missed out on those important grieving rituals, so as more aspects of normal life start to resume, it's vital that we remember and support all those in our communities who will be dealing with the trauma of loss.
"I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our health and social care workforce. In spite of many challenges, their dedication to patients and service users has been unwavering."
The National Day of Reflection on 23 March 2022 is a day to connect, supporting the millions of people bereaved during the last two years and remembering the people we've lost. Join the minute's silence at midday and find out more ways you can get involved at mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection
Marie Curie's annual flagship fundraising appeal, the Great Daffodil Appeal is taking place throughout March. The money raised helps to support the charity's nurses, doctors, and hospice staff so they can continue working on the frontline giving expert care to people at the end of life, and their families. For more information on how to fundraise or donate, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity. The charity provides essential nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end of life care and bereavement support.
Please note we are 'Marie Curie' (not 'Marie Curie Cancer Care')
facebook.com/MarieCurieUK
twitter.com/mariecurieuk
instagram.com/mariecurieuk
Tags:
- About Marie Curie
- Campaigns
- Celebrity
- March