Ideas for events

Walks

Sometimes people organise walks of remembrance during To Absent Friends week. The walk doesn't have to be long, but might be to a place of special significance to a community. Sometimes people walk after dark, bringing lanterns, candles or torches. The walk might culminate with the laying of tributes, reading poetry, planting a tree, or lighting a fire. Sometimes people prepare for the walk in advance by making some kind of artwork or tribute.

Examples from previous years: Remembrance Walking Trail; Willowbrae Winter Wanderland; Cranhill Development Trust; Remembering the light.

Quiet Spaces

Sometimes people just want some quiet time with their own thoughts, but that can be hard to find with busy lives and workplaces. To Absent Friends week can be an opportunity to provide a quiet space for people. In previous years hospital chapels and churches have held unstructured drop-in sessions, sometimes with options for quiet remembrance activities such as lighting a candle or writing in a remembrance book. A quiet room or outdoor remembrance bench or garden is something that may be welcomed in any busy environment, such as care homes, hospitals and shopping centres.

Examples from previous years: Spynie Kirk; Wardie Parish Church; Edinburgh Brass Band

Art and craft activities

Even if people don't consider themselves 'artistic' many people get a sense of fulfillment from creating something new, and find that the process of making something in remembrance of someone they love is a positive experience. Doing this alongside others can prompt sharing of stories, memories, laughter and tears. In previous years some beautiful events have been created around the artwork of ordinary people including photographic exhibitions and performance poetry nights. People have organised art or crafts workshops for adults or children, creating meaningful artwork in the form of memory boxes, lanterns and murals.

Examples from previous years: Essence of a Memory photo competition; Poetry Circus; Memory Box workshop; Crocus Group Heart Mural; Memories in the Making; Victoria Hospice; Leadhills Family Action Group; Scrapbooking workshop;

Get-togethers

Getting together in person still isn't at straightforward as it once was, and we don't yet know what physical distancing rules will be in place during the To Absent Friends festival in November. However, many people are becoming increasingly confident taking part virtual get-togethers online, and moving their social events outside. In previous festivals, people have organised all kinds of get-togethers for their community, bringing people together to chat, share stories and memories. Often these are small, informal gatherings, for example a coffee morning for care home residents and their families, or of a peer support group. Sometimes they are larger, open to everyone and involve more formal performances. Often people share music or poetry that has a special significance.

Examples from previous years: Beach Bonfires; Peacock Nursing Home; Scottish Poetry Library; Dryve for life, love and absent friends; Broomhouse Centre; Willowbrae; Glenatar Court Social Group; Carriden Community Volunteer Group; Breath Easy Clackmannanshire; Remembrance supper & jazz improv; In fond memory

Reminiscing over food and drink

Covid-19 has recently meant that sharing food and drink with friends and strangers isn't being encouraged. However, in previous festivals, getting together over food and drink has been important for many, and hopefully with thought and innovation some of this can still take place either virtually, in small groups, outside or in airy spaces. For those looking for structure, Reminiscence Cafes and To Absent Friends Suppers can provide a loose framework within which people can express themselves.

Examples from previous years: Reminiscence Cafes; To Absent Friends Suppers; Sunrise Partnership; Support for Ordinary Living; HMP Kilmarnock; TAF community supper.

Tributes and installations

Remembrance can be as simple as lighting a candle or writing someone's name. Gathered together, such acts can become powerful public tributes. In previous festivals, people have organised some beautiful interactive public tributes, including tribute walls and an interactive lily lighting installation.

Examples from previous years: Life, death & lilies; Hibernian football club; Lilies to remember