Warwick funds film project on LGBTQIA+ palliative and bereavement support

The University of Warwick has recently announced that it will be funding a new film project aimed at improving palliative and bereavement support for LGBTQIA+ communities.

As part of the project, LGBTQIA+ individuals living with a terminal diagnosis in the Midlands are being invited to share their stories on camera.

The University hopes documenting authentic stories about the realities of LGBTQIA+ people receiving end-of-life care will “serve as a powerful tool for education, empathy, and change” when training these care providers.

The project aims to amplify the voices of those who are currently underrepresented in end-of-life care resources.

End-of-life care providers have a huge role to play in creating safe and inclusive spaces for everyone’s needs to be met

Michele Aaron, Professor of Film and Television Studies at the University of Warwick

The project is headed by Michele Aaron, Professor of Film and Television Studies at Warwick, who believes the project can make end-of-life care more accessible and inclusive for all. She stressed that LGBTQIA+ individuals are often reluctant to access end-of-life healthcare and bereavement services in fear of facing discrimination.

Professor Aaron continued: “End-of-life care providers have a huge role to play in creating safe and inclusive spaces for everyone’s needs to be met.”

Among the participants is general practitioner Dr Trevor Yellon, who lost his husband, Drew, to cancer in 2023. Dr. Yellon admitted he struggled to access effective bereavement support during this time. He felt that there lacked a professional understanding of why “as a gay man, some elements of my loss felt different and difficult.”

LGBTQIA+ individuals can struggle to access palliative care because of the burden of coming out and fear of facing discrimination or microaggressions

The project is a collaboration between the University of Warwick, queer filmmaker El Jones, and the charity Compassionate Communities UK.

The charity’s trained end-of-life doula, Helen Juffs, is providing emotional support, physical assistance, and companionship to participants affected by a terminal diagnosis.

She emphasised that LGBTQIA+ individuals can struggle to access palliative care because of the burden of coming out and fear of facing discrimination or microaggressions.

Warwick encourages LGBTQIA+ individuals affected by these issues across the Midlands to participate by contacting Ms Juffs, who can be reached either at 07349 908877 or featherfoot.hj@gmail.com.

Contributors are welcome to remain entirely anonymous if preferred, and transport to filming locations is provided. Filmmakers will also travel to participants if required.