The illustrated Zoom talk, in support of Hospice Ethiopia UK, will take place on Monday January 18, from 7.30pm.

Pre-registered guests can sit back, relax and be inspired by artists demonstrating compassion in a variety of media by Nick, who has kindly offered to give this talk on behalf of Hospice Ethiopia UK to raise funds in what has been a very difficult time for fundraising.

The talk will introduce the idea of compassionate art through some famous and lesser- known examples, in which artists have provided inspiration, protest, reflection or transformation, expressed grief or offered hope. 

The idea came from the positive experience of bringing people together at the popular weekly online Art Café that Nick runs.

Nick became involved through his wife Helen, who is Lead Chaplain at Priscilla Bacon Lodge. Staff there have supported Hospice Ethiopia for several years, since the organization was founded by Tsigerida, an Ethiopian Nurse in 2003.

Hospice Ethiopia (HE) provides community palliative care to patients in their own homes.  Their experienced nurses provide medicines, medical equipment, support and advice free of charge. There is no other such organisation in Ethiopia. In addition, they provide palliative care education to wide range of healthcare professionals enabling more patients than ever before to access symptom control and the relief of their suffering. HE is a registered non-government organisation but receives no government funding, so finances are an ongoing worry.

Over recent years, the collaboration and understanding between Norwich and HE has grown and evolved. The Norfolk-based support group has become a registered charity, Hospice Ethiopia UK (HEUK). This partnership has benefited both parties more than we could have ever anticipated, with lasting friendships made. Members of HEUK have visited Ethiopia about once a year since early 2012 and taken out small items of equipment such as stoma bags that are unobtainable or expensive in Ethiopia.

While there, joint visits with HE nurses have been carried out to patients, formal & informal teaching provided to a range of healthcare professionals as well as networking with other non-governmental organisations and hospitals. The future for both Hospice Ethiopia and Hospice Ethiopia UK is looking promising.

Nick said: “HE is continuing to support patients at home, providing palliative medicine, advice, pastoral support, and a ‘comfort fund’ to provide basic food for patients who have no means of support. In a country where people’s faith means a great deal to them, they are planning to increase spiritual support for patients. It is compassionate work undertaken by caring people. If looking at compassionate art together on Zoom can provide financial support for HE’s vital role, then I will be very happy!”

To register, please phone 01508 538014 or contact us

A Zoom link to this online talk will be sent to your email inbox. Admission is free but donations warmly welcomed via the website www.hospiceethiopia.org.uk (link to external site)