The Art of Planning Ahead - Advance Care Planning

Across the island of Ireland, Plan Ahead Day (7th May 2025) acknowledges the importance of planning ahead for future health and social care needs.   

Launched by the Department of Health in October 2022, The Advance Care Planning Policy for adults in Northern Ireland highlights the benefits of planning ahead for adults aged 18+ who have the mental capacity to make decisions regarding their future care needs.   

Sharon Williams of Compassionate Communities NI said, ‘By planning in advance, people can ensure that their wishes, beliefs, and feelings shape their future care decisions. It also brings peace of mind, easing uncertainty for those closest to them.   

We understand the importance of accessible information and as a result work in partnership with Libraries NI on a Death Positive Libraries initiative across the region, with 12 locations where people can access books on topics such as caregiving, advanced illness, grief, and planning ahead. Easy read formats and books for children are also available." Kendra Reynolds, District Officer, Libraries NI, said; "We are delighted to deliver these important workshops in local communities. These sessions will support participants to discuss planning ahead in a safe and relaxed environment, while simultaneously supporting them to create a positive piece of art or writing."

Think Ahead in the Republic of Ireland was launched in 2011 and the Irish Hospice Foundation leads on implementation.Dominic Campbell, Arts and Cultural Engagement Lead, Irish Hospice Foundation had this to say. ‘The Irish Hospice Foundation is delighted to be part of this unique All-Island collaboration working with artists, encouraging communities to reflect on the universal inevitability of death and dying. Planning increases the opportunity for a good death in the future and helps us to live better today.’ 

Both policies detail the 4 components of advance care planning – personal, legal, clinical and financial.

Acknowledging that planning ahead can be challenging, Cavan County Council with funding from Creative Ireland: Shared Island Health and Wellbeing partnered with the Irish Hospice Foundation, Compassionate Communities, Cavan Age Friendly, South West Age Partnership, Healthy Ireland, Libraries NI and Cavan County Council’s Library Service in its Art of Life project.

The Art of Life is a cross border project which aims to normalise conversations around death and dying using creative approaches and get people talking and planning for end of life. Planning for Christmas, holidays and births are common yet many people do not plan for end of life or start these conversations with loved ones.  But plans help carers and healthcare professionals provide the care a person wants and in their preferred location. Plans help to prevent additional strain on families because decisions have been made and things put in place.

As part of the Art of Life project four creative workshops which gently open the conversation around advance care planning will be held in Death Positive Libraries across Counties Cavan, Fermanagh and Tyrone, in Virginia, Belturbet, Lisnaskea and Omagh Libraries.

Sharon Howe, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, Cavan County Council said, ‘Creativity can have a real impact, helping people to process and express emotion, maintain human connection and to make sense of their experiences’.    

Further workshops will be held in a range of venues across the 3 counties with more information at https://www.cavanlibrary.ie/creativecavan or by contacting Sharon Howe at showe@cavancoco.ie. You can find more useful advice and practical resources on our Plan Ahead page here.