The highlights of the 10-day inaugural “Live Well. Leave Well. Festival” included the launch of a podcast and a book, art-making, a chat show, therapy pets, and even a forest therapy session.
The inaugural “Live Well. Leave Well. Festival” (LWLW Festival), organised by the Singapore Hospice Council (SHC), was a transformative 10-day event that took place from 13 to 22 October 2023, designed to foster a deeper understanding of palliative care and promote early conversations around end-of-life care within our community.
Marking World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, which falls on the second Saturday in October every year, to recognise and support the critical role of hospice and palliative care, the LWLW Festival at The Plaza at the National Library Building featured family-friendly programmes with 39 partners, including a diverse range of talks and activities showcasing different disciplines of palliative care.
On 13 October, the Opening Ceremony was graced by SHC Founding Chairman and Trustee Dr Seet Ai Mee, where she launched the Live Well. Leave Well. podcast. Produced in collaboration with SHC member organisations and individuals from all walks of life, each episode will share a collection of stories and reflections centred on life values from the world of palliative care.
Another highlight was the launch of SHC’s paediatric palliative care book on 19 October, targeted at families of children with serious life-limiting illness. When a Child Has Serious Illness was put together by an expert panel of medical professionals to offer insights and practical advice to help parents navigate the myriad challenges. The Guest of Honour, Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law, was invited to present the books to SHC member organisations, charities supporting seriously ill children and their families, libraries, and institutes of higher learning.
The LWLW Festival was an incredible journey celebrating life, compassion, and the importance of a dignified farewell. SHC would like extend its heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event possible. Together, we can create a community of compassion and care.
Watch the full video highlight here.