The Peace Hospice will be joining hundreds of other organisations and hospices across the UK later this month to celebrate Dying Matters Week.

School workshops and a series of community events involving guest speakers are just some of the activities planned between May 13 and 17.

The annual event, co-ordinated by umbrella organisation "Dying Matters", aims to get as many people as possible to start thinking about dying, death and bereavement. The theme of the week is "Be ready for it".

A recent Dying Matters survey found that whilst 68 per cent of people said they were comfortable talking about death, less than a third (29 per cent) of people have discussed their wishes around dying with only four per cent having written advanced care plans.

The Peace Hospice has organised three public educational events with short talks from the Hospice, a solicitor and funeral director on "why dying matters". The final event culminates in a roadshow at the Peace Hospice between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Friday, May 17.

For more information about Dying Matters Week call 01923 330330 or visit www.peacehospice.org.uk or www.dyingmatters.org