World Compassionate Communities Day

01 November 2021

The City of Richmond is joining towns, cities and organizations across Canada and around the world in recognizing Monday, November 1, 2021 as the inaugural World Compassionate Communities Day.

On this day, people and places from different countries and cultures will come together to recognize and support those experiencing dying, death, caregiving and grief. World Compassionate Communities Day aims to build on the momentum of the growing number of projects and programs that highlight the work of those who continue to mobilize and connect people through local compassionate actions related to end-of-life, caregiving and bereavement.

“The way to measure if you live in a compassionate community is to see how you are supporting people at end of life,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Richmond is a proud and diverse community that provides support and compassion to our citizens as they face their end of life needs, whether it be through the Rotary Hospice House, Richmond Hospital or other organizations.”

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) has developed a Canadian Compassionate Communities program to recognize and support organizations that accommodate employees who need time off work to care for a loved one. It is particularly timely given the added challenges many have faced through the pandemic dealing with the unexpected loss of loved ones or uncertainty about their health and wellbeing.

Through a series of online events, communities worldwide will celebrate World Compassionate Communities Day through multiple time zones on November 1 beginning in Australia and moving west across Asia, Africa and Europe, until its conclusion in Canada and the Americas.

For more information and resources on #WorldCCDay, go to www.phpci.org/worldccday.