I fundamentally believe that inequalities are preventable, unfair and unjust. My passion is social justice, because a more equal society is better for everyone including those that have and those that do not.  Through a career that spans the private, public and charitable sectors in both strategy and operations I have dedicated my work to changing the policy, practice and perceptions preventing us from having a fair society for all, with lives well lived.   More recently, I've sought to highlight the disparities in health, wealth and opportunity between the North and the South of England through the launch of a podcast series called This is the North.  To listen click on the link just below my profile picture or visit www.alisondunn.co.uk

*New Episode of This is the North" - Ep 42. Facing Mortality: The Conversation We're Often Too Scared to Have* 

When I sat down to record this week's episode of This is the North, I'll be honest, my anxiety levels peaked when Karen Parry said "we will all die."

Not because it's not true. But because I realised I have absolutely no idea what a natural death actually looks like. Everything I know comes from TV and film, which means it's dramatic, violent, sudden. Nothing like reality.

I spoke with Julian Prior from Compassionate Gateshead, Dr Elizabeth Woods (Palliative Care Consultant), and Karen Parry (end-of-life doula) about something we're collectively terrible at: talking about death.

One in 29 children in every classroom have been bereaved of a parent or sibling, and most adults don't know what to say to them. Families are told their loved one is dying four, five, six times - each time treatment works, so when it finally happens, no one's prepared.

Karen said something that really landed: "When we can't say the word died, we can't have the conversation." Her work is about getting us comfortable with the real words again. And it's working - death cafés in Newcastle fill up every month. Twelve places. Fully booked. People are hungry for conversations with depth and meaning.

And if you'd like to know more there's a Festival of Compassion running all February in Gateshead - workshops, films, death cafés, practical sessions on planning funerals - all are welcome.  Creating permission and space to have these conversations.

This one challenged me. I think it'll challenge you too.

Link to episode in comments. 👇 

#ThisIsTheNorth #EndOfLifeCare #CompassionateGateshead #NorthEastEngland

Alison Dunn

I fundamentally believe that inequalities are preventable, unfair and unjust. My passion is social justice. Through a career that spans the private, public and charitable sectors in both strategy and operations I have dedicated my work to changing the policy, practice and perceptions preventing us from having a fair society for all, with lives well lived. 

I am a self-employed End of Life Doula, and I call my work Tending Three Magpies. These magpies are The end of life; Death and Grief.

Mentor to charity / business leaders - from start-up to scale-up - leadership training - fundraising and business development support - organisational strength reviews - impact evaluations - succession planning

Host of the podcast series This is the North, Charity Chief Executive Officer, social justice activist, TV and news media commentator, Chair of Trustees for VONNE and former solicitor.

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