North West Hospice has announced the return of its innovative educational project as part of Palliative Care Week 2026, (September 6-12).
This year’s campaign theme, “It’s Not What You Think”, aims to challenge common misconceptions about palliative care and encourage greater understanding of the support it provides to people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
The project, titled “Raising Awareness of Palliative Care in Education Settings with Transition Year Students: Impact on Student Knowledge and Attitudes”, enters its second year following a successful pilot in 2025.
The initiative continues to spark conversation, challenge perceptions, and promote compassion, understanding and awareness of palliative care among young people throughout the North West.
Building on the positive outcomes of last year’s programme, North West Hospice will once again work in collaboration with four secondary schools in the region: St Mary’s College Ballisodare, Coola Post Primary School, Ballinamore Community School and Summerhill College, Sligo.
As part of the project, students will complete a pre-session questionnaire to explore their existing knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care.
This will be followed by an engaging educational session delivered by members of the Hospice clinical team. Students will then complete a post-session questionnaire to measure the impact of the learning and identify any changes in understanding and attitudes.
Carmel O’Donnell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at North West Hospice, said:
“Following the success of the project’s first year, we are delighted to continue this important work with Transition Year students across the North West. This year’s theme, ‘It’s Not What You Think’, provides an excellent opportunity to challenge common misunderstandings about palliative care and encourage open, honest conversations with young people.
“Through education and discussion, we hope to increase understanding, empathy and awareness that will extend beyond the classroom into families and communities.”
Jacinta Kelly, Director of Nursing at North West Hospice, added:
“We are delighted to continue this innovative project during Palliative Care Week 2026. Education plays a vital role in increasing understanding and awareness of palliative care within our communities.
“By engaging with Transition Year students, we can foster empathy, compassion and informed conversations from an early age. This year’s campaign theme reminds us that palliative care is often very different from what people think.
“It is about helping people live as well as possible and supporting quality of life for individuals and families facing serious illness.”
The project also provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with local schools that generously support North West Hospice through fundraising and community engagement activities throughout the year.
It is particularly meaningful that the initiative allows the Hospice to give something back to schools and students who regularly support the Charity. By bringing education and awareness into the classroom, North West Hospice hopes to build more informed, compassionate and supportive communities for the future.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the HSE, North West Hospice and North West Hospice Charity, highlighting the collaborative effort to engage communities, encourage meaningful conversations and improve understanding of palliative care across the region.