Robb James, Clabburn Olly, Bamford Alison, Matthews Fiona, Lee Karen, Toulcher Lin, Maxwell Polly, Thomas-Bennett Nina, Hare Rachel, Dawson Lesel, Malpass Alice, Selman Lucy E
Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Super Culture, Weston-super-Mare, UK.
Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2024 Sep 6;18:26323524241274175. doi: 10.1177/26323524241274175. eCollection 2024.
Festivals play an important role in improving death and grief literacy, enabling members of the public to engage with these often-sensitive topics. Good Grief Weston festival was co-designed and delivered with the community in Weston-super-Mare, a coastal town in South-West England with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage but rich community assets. It was held in person over 8 days in May 2023.
To evaluate the reach and impact of Good Grief Weston festival and gather data to inform future festivals.
Mixed methods evaluation (survey and focus groups).
Online and paper surveys assessing participants' characteristics and experiences were administrated during and after the festival. Survey participants who indicated their willingness to participate were invited to attend a focus group. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Data were collected by trained community co-researchers.
Approximately 3000 people attended the festival. Of 204 completed surveys, 64.5% were from women, age range ⩽15 to ⩾75 years; 88.2% identified as White; 14.9% deaf, disabled/with a chronic condition; 18.9% neurodivergent; 9.0% gay, bisexual or queer. Festival participants were entertained (70.9%), inspired (68.5%), felt part of a like-minded community (54.3%), talked to someone new (49.2%), learnt about grief/bereavement (34.3%), shared or expressed experiences (30.3%) and found out about local support (19.7%). 71.3% reported that they felt more confident talking about grief after attending. Median experience rating was 5 (IQR 0; possible range 1 = poor to 5 = excellent). In free-text comments, participants expressed appreciation for the festival and described benefits in attending. Two focus groups were conducted ( = 8 participants, all women), lasting c.1.5 h. Focus groups added rich descriptions of the festival's value, and data to inform the next festival.
Findings suggest festivals of this nature can play a central role in a public health approach.
节日在提高死亡和悲伤素养方面发挥着重要作用，使公众能够参与这些往往较为敏感的话题。“美好悲伤韦斯顿节”是与英格兰西南部沿海城镇韦斯顿 - 超级 - 马勒的社区共同设计并举办的，该城镇社会经济劣势程度较高，但社区资产丰富。它于2023年5月以线下形式举办了8天。
评估“美好悲伤韦斯顿节”的影响力范围并收集数据，为未来的节日活动提供参考。
混合方法评估（调查和焦点小组）。
在节日期间和之后进行了在线和纸质调查，以评估参与者的特征和体验。邀请表示愿意参与的调查参与者参加焦点小组。焦点小组进行了录音、转录，并使用主题分析进行分析。数据由经过培训的社区共同研究人员收集。
约3000人参加了该节日。在204份完成的调查问卷中，64.5%来自女性，年龄范围在15岁及以下至75岁及以上；88.2%为白人；14.9%有听力障碍、残疾或患有慢性病；18.9%有神经差异；9.0%为同性恋、双性恋或酷儿。节日参与者获得了娱乐（70.9%）、受到了启发（68.5%）、感觉自己是志同道合社区的一员（54.3%）、与新人交谈（49.2%）、了解了悲伤/丧亲之痛（34.3%）、分享或表达了经历（30.3%）以及了解到当地的支持（19.7%）。71.3%的人表示参加后他们在谈论悲伤时更有信心。体验评分中位数为5（四分位距0；可能范围1 = 差至5 = 优秀）。在自由文本评论中，参与者对节日表示赞赏，并描述了参加的好处。进行了两个焦点小组（共8名参与者，均为女性），时长约1.5小时。焦点小组丰富了对节日价值的描述，并为下一届节日提供了参考数据。
研究结果表明这类节日在公共卫生方法中可发挥核心作用。
