Mayo participants invited to join ground-breaking end-of-life research project
The Photovoice project will use photography and personal stories to give a voice to those approaching the end of life and help shape care services
People in Mayo who are nearing the end of life are invited to take part in a groundbreaking research project that aims to capture their experiences through photography.
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) has launched the ‘Photovoice’ project. This is an innovative study designed to give people approaching the end of life the opportunity to share their experiences in a unique way.
The initiative comes as almost 1,000 people died in Mayo last year, highlighting the importance of ensuring end-of-life experiences are better understood and reflected in health and social care services.
Photovoice is a research method that combines photography with personal storytelling, allowing participants to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences through images that hold special meaning to them.
Sara Leitão, Director of Research and Policy at the Irish Hospice Foundation, said the project seeks to address a significant gap in research.
“This Photovoice study is being undertaken to better understand the experiences of people who are nearing the end of life,” she said. “Research that includes the voice of individuals at end of life is rare. That means we are missing the voices, views and experiences of people who are themselves going through the end-of-life journey.”
The project is seeking participants who are broadly in the last 12 to 18 months of life. With support from the IHF research team, participants will be invited to photograph objects, places or scenes that reflect their personal experiences. They will then discuss the meaning behind their images with a researcher.
“There are no right or wrong photographs,” Leitão explained. “These might be images of something positive such as a supporting pet, or negative. We often assume people don’t want to talk about their end-of-life experiences, but in our experience, many do.”
Participants will receive guidance throughout the process from IHF researchers who are experienced in supporting people through sensitive conversations.
The photographs and accompanying stories will be anonymised before being displayed as part of an exhibition, which is due to launch in Dublin early next year before being shared across Ireland.
The Foundation hopes the exhibition will encourage more open conversations about death, dying and bereavement while helping to identify gaps in end-of-life care and support services.
By sharing these personal experiences, the Photovoice project hopes to provide insights that will inform the Irish Hospice Foundation’s future programmes and resources, while helping to reduce the stigma often associated with discussions around the end of life.
People interested in taking part can contact the Irish Hospice Foundation on 1800 1800 18, email [email protected], or visit the Foundation’s Photovoice webpage.