04.10.21
3 minute read
On 27th November, A Celebration of life returns to St James church to bring people together from across Bristol and the South West to remember and celebrate the lives of friends or family members who they have lost through alcohol and other drugs. Although A Celebration of Life is held in a church, please be aware this is a none religious event and we warmly welcome people of any faith and none to attend.
This year’s event comes after the figures for drug-related deaths continue to rise year on year, going from 50.4 deaths per million to 52.3 deaths per million. This rise continues the figures upward trend and represents a tragic 60.9% increase since ten years ago in 2010.
These figures each represent a web of friends and family members who will be directly affected by the loss of someone close to them. A Celebration of Life aims to connect these people in a moment of shared celebration and remembrance for those no longer with us and give those who are grieving a feeling of collective support with other people with similar experiences.
“It gives an opportunity for those left behind to remember that their loved ones were not ‘just addicts’, but often beautiful, vulnerable people who, like us all, had so many other sides to their personality and lives. If you are attending for the first time, you can be sure that you will be listened to and understood by those around you. We all share the grief and often the burden of guilt that death through addiction can cause.”
A Celebration of Life is organised by Bereavement Through Addiction (BTA) a support network launched by two parents, Joan and Paul, who lost a child as a result of addiction in 2008. BTA’s monthly support group is here to help people make sense of their personal grief in a supportive, confidential and safe environment.
After a break last year due to the pandemic, A Celebration of Life returns to St James’ Priory for its 10th year. The event is free and open to everyone who would like to come. It will be led by Reverend Richard Pendlebury and feature a range of readings, memories and personal stories, and performances by the gasworks singers and Rising voices, Bristol’s recovery choir.
Contributions
We are looking for contributions both big and small for the event so if you would like to make a reading or simply just contribute a photograph to be included in the memorial presentation, please get in touch. In the past people have contributed all sorts of things like songs, poems, prayers or personal stories so if you feel inspired to share, please do so. To contribute, please email maggie.telfer@bdp.org.uk or call 0117 987 6006.
Tickets
To register for your FREE ticket to the event please use the EventBrite section below or via this link – https://celebrationoflife2021.eventbrite.co.uk
