NEWS RELEASE
HOSPICE GEORGIAN TRIANGLE
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As a society and as individuals, we spend very little time thinking about death. It’s an uncomfortable and taboo topic that people avoid discussing. As a result, we miss having the important conversations about our end of life wishes, and the wishes of our loved ones. The Reflection Room wants to change that. It leverages the power of shared storytelling to break down the fear and discomfort that comes with thoughts of death and dying.
Visitors are welcomed into a safe environment designed to promote reflection and contemplation. Posted around the room are stories others have shared about their own experiences with death and dying. Visitors are invited to take time, read the stories of others, reflect on their own experiences, and if they choose, add their own story to the Reflection Wall.
The Reflection Room has been travelling across the country since 2015 and includes 23 different installations. These have been in public spaces, such as libraries, galleries, or even outside, as well as in health care environments like long term care facilities, hospices or hospitals.
The Room is a uniquely human, and universal project. Everyone who visits it finds some aspect to take home. Like the people who visit, the project has evolved over time – the first phase of the research asked broadly: how can we use research and human-centred design to move from a death-avoiding society to a death-discussing society?
The second, and current phase, is exploring the use of space and time in the experience of The Reflection Room. Is it both the emotional space and the physical space that allow for reflection? How does a longer installation affect its use and the impact it has on visitors?
The team at Hospice Georgian Triangle (HGT) invites you to visit The Reflection Room, from Sept. 23 to Oct. 11 at: Collingwood Public Library – Murray Clerkson Room 55 Ste. Marie Street, Collingwood Mon-Thurs 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
You can also visit The Reflection Room online at http://thereflectionroom.ca/ The Reflection Room is funded by the SE Research Centre which is part of SE Health. SE Research has partnered with Hospice Georgian Triangle to bring The Reflection Room to Collingwood.
HGT will host an official launch event on Monday, Sept. 23 from 3-5 p.m. in the Murray Clerkson Room at the Collingwood Public Library. Light refreshments will be served. Please join the team from Hospice Georgian Triangle to explore your own thoughts, questions and experiences as a part of The Reflection Room.
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