Coronavirus (Covid-19)

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In response to Covid-19, we are delighted to announce that we have been granted £9993 from the National Lottery Community Fund, to help people put their end of life care plans in place.

This award will help us to support people (especially those in need by reason of age, ill health, and other disadvantage) to document their end-of-life wishes by assisting with the preparation of Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, Advance Statements etc. We already offer this support to our members via a telephone advice line, video conferencing and newsletters/e-bulletins. We also cover the associated legal and registration fees for those who otherwise could not afford it. This grant will allow us to reach more people, so please spread the word.

Advance Care Planning

Covid-19 and our response to it is the biggest challenge we have faced in terms of older people’s human rights. It is disproportionally impacting those at the end-of-life who need additional support. 

The awareness of death linked to the Covid-19 crisis means there is an enormous need to address end of life issues at this time. Covid-19 has meant that people are facing their own mortality as never before, and they are aware of the importance of having conversations about their own end of life. 

If you have an opinion about what you would, or would not want to happen to you, it’s important that everyone involved in your care and wellbeing is informed.  It is better to do this now, rather than to wait until you are seriously ill. We understand that people need support not only to discuss their end-of-life wishes, but to document it in a meaningful way. We are here to support you to do that. 

It is important that you consider what treatments you would and would not want should you contract Covid-19 and you can read more about this in useful guidance provided by the Royal College of Physicians and partners

Should you become ill, having advance care plans in place means that your wishes and human rights stand a much better chance of being respected, protected and fulfilled. It also helps responders – neighbours, ambulance services, HCPs, relatives and others to respond promptly, respectfully and compassionately to your needs. 

You can read more about advance care plans here and should you wish to complete an advance directive, our helpful guidance can be found here, along with a template form which will guide you through the process. If you need guidance and support to complete this, do call us on 0141 356 4222. 

This website allows you to document your wishes online. You do not need a solicitor (although sometimes this is necessary) and we provide a free of charge service to support you to do this. 

Latest Coronavirus advice

For health information and advice:

NHS – Coronavirus

NHS Inform – Scotland 

Learn about the government response to coronavirus on GOV.UK and in Scotland at GOV.SCOT 

How we are campaigning on assisted dying in response to the Coronavirus pandemic:

Friends at the End has had to adapt the way that we campaign on assisted dying in response to Covid-19. 

We have cancelled all face-to-face events, including postponing our Pastoral Care conference scheduled for May 2020. All local group activities have ceased, although we remain in contact with members via telephone, email, video-conferencing and post. Our parliamentary Cross Party Group events have also been postponed until November 2020. 

Our priority is to keep people safe while continuing to represent the voices of our members and those who want to see a change in the law on assisted dying. This remains a core objective of FATE, as we recognise the importance of continuing to advocate on behalf of those who want greater choice, whilst recognising the seriousness of the current pandemic and its impact on our operations.