Everyday People Making a Difference

In this episode of The Journey Together: Navigating Palliative Care, we shine a light on the vital role of volunteers at North West Hospice Charity. From reflexology to retail, reception to remembrance, you’ll hear heartfelt stories from the people who give their time to support patients and families. Whether you're considering volunteering or simply curious about what it entails, this episode is a moving tribute to compassion in action.

Discover The Journey Together, a podcast by North West Hospice Charity. Hear advice, personal stories, guidance and emotional support for patients, families, and caregivers navigating palliative care.

“People think we’re doing something for others, but we’re getting so much in return. It’s a privilege to be there, to hear people’s stories, to be part of something that matters.”

“It’s hard to put into words. You leave feeling like you made a difference, even in a small way. It’s incredibly special. That’s why we keep coming back.”

“It might just be making a cup of tea, but it’s everything. One man said to me, ‘You reminded me I wasn’t invisible.’ That really stayed with me.”

Guests: Cathy Quinlan, Angela Read, Kevin Glancy, Kathleen McLoughlin

Host: Tara Rafter, The Navigation Coach

Show music: #mobygratis @mobygratis

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Verver⁠⁠

by ⁠⁠⁠⁠North West Hospice Charity⁠⁠

David McGowan Explains the Process and Options

In this episode, renowned funeral director David McGowan talks honestly and compassionately about what happens after someone dies. With decades of experience, David shares what families can expect — from the first phone call to funeral arrangements, burial versus. cremation, and the healing power of ritual.

Together, they explore:

• What really happens when someone passes, at home, in hospital or hospice
• The emotional and practical decisions involved in arranging a funeral
• Cremation vs. burial: costs, options, and myths
• The spiritual connection between nature and grief
• How planning ahead can bring peace to both the living and the dying

This episode offers reassurance, practical guidance, and soul-soothing reflection — for anyone navigating loss, supporting a loved one, or preparing for the future.

Discover The Journey Together, a podcast by North West Hospice Charity. Hear advice, personal stories, guidance and emotional support for patients, families, and caregivers navigating palliative care.

“It’s not just about a black suit and a black tie—it’s about honouring a life.”

“One of the things that can turn a one-hour meeting into three is when no one knows what the person would have wanted…That’s when the fighting starts. I’ve seen families fall out forever…But if the person just mentioned a few wishes… it would have saved all that.”

Guest: David McGowan

*Host: Tara Rafter, The Navigation Coach*⁠

Show music: #mobygratis @mobygratis

Episode Sponsor: ⁠ McCanny & Co Solicitors

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Verver⁠⁠

by ⁠⁠⁠⁠North West Hospice Charity⁠⁠

What Grief Feels Like—and How to Cope

Grief is universal—but how we experience it is deeply personal. In this episode, hospice social workers Kate and Michelle share honest, compassionate insight into what grief really looks like. They speak about the wide range of emotions and physical symptoms that can follow a loss, the ways grief evolves over time, and how we can support ourselves and others through it. From navigating anniversaries to coping with isolation, this conversation reminds us that there is no right way to grieve—and no shame in needing support. Whether you're walking through grief yourself or want to understand it better, this episode offers gentle guidance and heartfelt wisdom.

Discover The Journey Together, a podcast by North West Hospice Charity. Hear advice, personal stories, guidance and emotional support for patients, families, and caregivers navigating palliative care.

“Sometimes we meet people who are grieving and we only get a snapshot of how they are… they say, ‘I’m fine’—but it can be covering a multitude… And even in one family, everyone will grieve differently. Because your relationship was different. Your love was different. Your loss is your own.”

“There’s no ‘moving on’ from grief… but your life can expand around it. You learn to carry it… it becomes part of you—but it doesn’t have to stop you from living.”

Guests: Michelle O’Reilly & Kate Hawney

Host: Tara Rafter, The Navigation Coach

Show music: #mobygratis @mobygratis

Episode Sponsor: ⁠ The Navigation Coach⁠

This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Verver⁠⁠

by ⁠⁠⁠⁠North West Hospice Charity⁠⁠