Local groups, workplaces, organisations, businesses, clubs, and community hubs are all part of a Compassionate Colchester network that has been working collaboratively towards Compassionate City status. An assessment from the national charity Compassionate Communities UK was approved and highlighted the incredible amount of kindness and compassion already being shown to people confronted with serious or life-limiting illness, ageing, caregiving, loss, and isolation.

Many local residents are part of the Compassionate Community network, including Janice Tonge. She said: “Someone’s final months or year of life, and that of their carers, can be made much easier with the kindness and compassion of people they meet on a day-to-day basis. We can all play a part, however small, sometimes without realising it, by just saying hello and starting a conversation or by dropping off a pint of milk when someone can’t leave the house.”

Alongside the Compassionate City celebrations, Compassionate Colchester is also launching a Compassionate Champions initiative to recognise and celebrate people, projects, groups, or places that help improve the lives of others facing serious or life-limiting illness, ageing, caregiving, and loss through social connectedness, kindness, and compassion.

To celebrate the success, a Compassionate Colchester Celebration event is being held on Wednesday, 10 July at Greenstead Community Centre from 10 am to 12 pm. The event will include presentations, entertainment, and complimentary tea and coffee. Everyone is welcome.

St Helena Hospice has helped coordinate a Compassionate Colchester network of support that led the bid. Greg Cooper, Partnerships and Community Development Manager at St Helena, says: “So many incredible people have come together to show what a caring city Colchester is, and we can support even more people by demystifying myths and taboos around dying, death, and bereavement, building confidence and skills, and growing networks of support."

Visit www.sthelena.org.uk/compassion to find out more about Compassionate Community Champions, other events and activities supported by the Compassionate Colchester network, and to register to attend the Compassionate Colchester Celebration event.