Training End of life DoulasEmpowering Communities

Group of people hugging each other in the park

Training End of life DoulasEmpowering Communities

Ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things.

Have you ever felt you have a part to play in supporting people at the end of life, but are unsure how to go about it? Living Well Dying Well offer courses for people to gain a deeper understanding of death and dying or train as an End of Life Doula.

What is an End of Life Doula?

EOL Doulas are trained to support people at the end of their life to walk alongside individuals, their family and their community as an informed companion.

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Doula Training

The purpose of our training is to build your understanding of, and confidence in, the process of dying, and increase your ability to be with it. The courses are both educational & experiential, with a strong personal development component.

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Certification

All courses are externally monitored and certified by Crossfields Institute.  The full Diploma has been awarded the Crossfields Institute Quality Mark.

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Upcoming Events

  • Dec 04

    Diploma - Module 3

    Online

  • Jan 04

    Diploma - Module 2

    Online

  • Jan 29

    Doula Training - Foundation

    Online

  • Jan 30

    Doula Training - Foundation

    Online

  • Feb 01

    Doula Training - Foundation

    Bridport

  • Feb 05

    Diploma - Module 4

    East Sussex - Iford

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Testimonials

From the very start of the Foundation Course through to the end of Part III, the training experience with LWDW was educational, probing, enriching, intense and immensely enjoyable. I feel so very grateful to my wonderfully wise and compassionate trainers but also to those with whom I trained and from whom I learnt a great deal, not least of all about myself. It has been one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences. It has left me feeling equally blessed and humbled. Thank you to everyone whom I have met through this wonderful opportunity.

Judy Knox

Certified LWDW Doula

The atmosphere created by the trainers was beyond anything I had ever experienced before : a mixture of kindness, expertise, warmth, a nurturing space where all could be themselves and feel safe, listened to and accepted, on anything from personal death experiences, difficulties with anything death related, spiritual beliefs (or lack of), resistances or fears . I left having forged life long bonds with the other participants, a new family with whom I have kept in touch.

Muriel Bokkerink

EoL Doula in Training

"What a beautifully designed course...I'm feeling rather in awe, the trainers are the most extraordinary of beings, their love and compassion filled the course full, incredible." 

Nicci del Rio

Doula in Training

"Excellent energy created by the trainers – very holding and beautiful – really modelling the Doula role."

Anonymous

Doula in Training

"Extremely well-structured and well thought through, more than any other training I have done.  Delivered sensitively, openly, thoughtfully and kindly."

Anonymous

Doula in Training

"I had complete trust in the people leading me on the process, and creating and holding a very safe, nurturing space in which to learn and grow."

Anonymous

Doula in Training

"This course has completely transformed my way of thinking and given me the confidence to support people though death – outstanding – life changing!"

Anonymous

Doula in Training

One of the most soul affirming processes a person can go through.
Safe, comfortable online spaces with real thought given to the structure and flow of the content. A joy to be part of. Thank you.

Gemma Towle

End of Life Companion

I had wanted to enrol on this course for several years and fortuitously serendipity intervened, and a cancellation came up near to me, at the fabulous Bala Brook Centre on Dartmoor. I grabbed it with both hands and was amply rewarded by both the quality of the trainers and the empathy from my amazing co-students.
The ability to focus on just one subject for several days together, provided an intense learning and development experience. One that I will always remember, and which has enabled me to be brave and have difficult conversations with friends and family. A heartfelt thank you to my trainers and wonderful new friends who shared a beautiful week with me.

Jayne Nicholas

That spaces can be created for the sharing of emotions in relation to death and dying that are transformative. This space allows people to understand that the acceptance of death truly is life affirming. This is an experiential journey not a classroom learning experience and our trainers managed that beautifully.

Anonymous

Doula in Training

I thought every aspect was excellent, especially what felt like the deep attention and understanding brought to how to bring a group of strangers together in a virtual space and help each one understand expectations, relax, connect and express.

Online Foundation June 2023

Rita

Doula in Training

Excellent course, having ADHD means I sometimes struggle to stay engaged but the course was probably the best I have ever attended and kept my focus at all times.

Online Foundation June 2023

Johanne Silby

Doula in Training

In the space of five days we travelled so far, shared feelings and experiences and learned much about death and dying. As a group we considered and then crafted the environment that best suited our learning and development in this profound area. Our trainers were strong, supportive and informative, letting us move forward at our own pace and in our own way. The whole experience was extraordinary and I feel very privileged to have been a part of my own particular group and to have shared the course with such wonderful people.

Face to Face Foundation May 2023

Ann Loveday

Doula in Training

The course was wonderful in all ways. The venue was beautiful and totally helped to facilitate the community learning ethos in a peaceful and supportive environment. The trainers were confident, extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. I could tell that they gave 110% to us every day.

Residential Foundation May 2023

Joanna Davis

Doula in Training
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Bob Parker

Doula in Training

I had studied dying and bereavement issues on my social work course long ago.  On moving to Edinburgh I volunteered at the local hospice as a ‘Compassionate Neighbour’ but I wanted to and thought I could do more so on hearing about EOLDUK and LWDW I applied for the foundation course, thinking that this would give insights into whether my aspirations were justified.  The course was very well run and packed with relevant topics as well as opportunities to explore one’s own personal experiences, beliefs and thoughts and those of others. There was a great deal of material on offer. The group - 14 people from a wide variety of backgrounds - gelled with the help of the trainers and personal experiences, some painful, were readily shared.
Hard work and commitment is expected but LWDW is at pains to emphasise that academic experience is not required, rather a willingness to undertake self analysis and reflection.
The course was inclusive and diversity aware, although I was the only man among 16 women. LWDW is aware of this issue and working on it, so come on you men out there. You can do this.

Hexham Foundation July/August 2023

Tanya Wilkinson

Doula in Training

What an incredible course! The trainers created such a powerfully connected online space for us all to explore the subject of dying and death through experiential and interactive learning. I am so grateful to all for a truly transformational and life changing course.

Online Foundation June 2023
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Tony Primarolo

Doula in Training

I found the LWDW Foundation Course to be an excellently structured format with very receptive trainers and a great bunch of trainees. The course was well paced with ample opportunities for discussion and deepening understanding. Relevant learning materials were released and made available for reference. In my opinion this course would be of value to anyone whether they were going to progress with EOL doula training or not.

Hexham Foundation July/August 2023
Kevin Woodhouse

Kevin Woodhouse

Doula in Training

From the pre-course email communications, through to the opening & closing moments of the face to face course, a sense of community was created that I have rarely experienced so vividly & with such support. I would recommend this training to everyone, regardless of background, as we all live in extended families, groups or circles in various degrees of closeness - all of us on various stages of life. This course has taught me that how we come to terms with our pasts and how we live in the present is crucial to a successful approach to the ends of our lives in the future.

Sussex Foundation September/October 2023
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