Contrast

Text Size

a a
X

The Borderlands

A moving collection of portraits and testimonies that capture the quiet dignity of a wide range of people who find themselves in the Borderlands between life and death at St Helena Hospice.

Creative business services agency Jacob Bailey has produced the collection in a new book, 'The Borderlands’, in partnership with St Helena Hospice.

The project began when Jacob Bailey’s Managing Partner, Roj Whitelock, took time to visit St Helena Hospice as part of the company’s annual volunteering day. Originally, he was planning to take photos of around half a dozen of the team members at the hospice. However, those six photos became over 30 portraits.

Each person photographed was interviewed by St Helena's media and stories lead, collating the deeply personal stories and experiences that sit alongside each of the photographs featured in the book.

Jacob Bailey’s Lead Designer, Lee Roberts, then set about bringing the stories to life into The Borderlands book.

St Helena’s Chief Executive, Mark Jarman-Howe, contributed a foreword for the book, writing: "We will all directly and indirectly experience dying and death in our lives. Yet somehow, they remain mysterious and uncomfortable topics for many of us.

"To confront the reality of dying and death, and to consider what it means to you and your attitude to life, requires a high degree of honesty and self-knowledge. To then share this insight and experience with others is a brave, generous, and deeply compassionate act. The participants in this book have shone a light into the Borderlands and provided a unique opportunity to reflect for ourselves on the fundamental question of what life and death means for each of us."

Jacob Bailey has a long-standing relationship with St Helena, completing the charity’s branding. Roj Whitelock commented: “As a Managing Partner at Jacob Bailey I’ve worked closely with St Helena Hospice for some time and always felt that portraiture could bring their story to life in a new and thought provoking way. 

"Our annual volunteering days provided the opportunity to spend time at St Helena exploring the idea of ‘The Borderlands’ with patients, relatives, doctors, nurses and support staff alike. We created a peaceful and safe space for everyone to reflect on their own personal experiences while being photographed and the day was truly humbling, intense and deeply thought provoking. As always, I was left in awe of the service and care that St Helena provide. Death is a day-to-day reality but is so rarely discussed. I hope this book helps both the living and the dying to talk more openly about death and bereavement and to feel less alone when those situations arise.”

 

Related news and stories

 

Advance Care Planning - Dr Karen Chumbley

Dr Karen Chumbley explains advance care planning ahead of Advance Care Plan Day on 8th May 2024.

View more

Hospice says it’s time to end the silence around death

Dying matters conversations are not just for people with a terminal diagnosis; would you know what your loved one would want if they died suddenly?

View more

Approaching conversations about dying, death and bereavement

We are encouraging people to have conversations about death and dying. These subjects are often not spoken about until we’re suddenly faced with them, and it can feel uncomfortable, or even scary, to talk about them. This blog will help you in broaching these conversations.

View more

Naomi's miles of hope

Naomi and Georgina were due to marry in April 2020 but not only did the Covid-19 pandemic halt proceedings, Naomi was also diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer.

View more

Be kind to everyone

Sharon always has a smile for her patients even throughout the reality of a pandemic and despite coping with her own real lived experience of uncertainty.

View more

Harry made a boat

A wish came true for one of our patients; Harry had built a fantastic model boat and he really wanted to test it out on the water, so his Hospice in the Home nurse and our specialist therapies assistant picked him up and it was off to the boating lake!

View more

My first shift as ward helper was the week after we'd opened

Pat Nicholls has volunteered as a ward helper at The Hospice for 35 years. She also now volunteers at the St Helena book shop in Frinton, although having a break at the moment due to the challenges of COVID.

View more

What matters most at the end of life?

Dr Karen Chumbley remembers talking to her father about his choices for end of life care.

View more
 
 
Go to basket

Go to basket

0
Spinner