Contemplative End Of Life Care Southern Highlands Caring For Life

How spiritual care and emotional support can improve our understanding of death and our relationship to our lives and our deaths

Contemplative End-of-Life Care is a service founded by Fiona Brown and Jane Matley.

We can provide support :
At times of new and challenging diagnosis
At times of significant change
At times of seeking meaning and sense in all that is happening to you
At times of questioning
At times of bereavement

We aim to help each person find their own strength and purpose.

Fiona Brown : Fiona has spent her working life in healing professions, firstly as a Medical Practitioner in family medicine and latterly as an Interfaith Minister and Buddhist Chaplain in Hospice and End of Life Care, providing spiritual support in its broadest sense for those approaching the end of their lives and bereavement support to families, as required.
Aiming to cure has gradually remodelled into helping to heal.
She currently holds positions on the Pastoral Care team at Clare Holland House in Canberra and providing support to her local Southern Highlands community through the Robertson Doctor, where she provides training in mindfulness meditation and end of life support.

Jane Matley: Since 1980, Jane has worked as a Registered Nurse in many facets of healthcare. Following significant personal loss in 2010-11, Jane's interest with the natural and inherent cyclical process of life and death, grew. In 2012, she received a scholarship to participate in the 'Contemplative End-of-Life Care Certificate, in New York, USA. A specialised, professional training offered through Spiritual Care and Naropa University, USA. Affirming, that contemplative approach inspires qualities which encompass all aspects of care.

In 2014, Jane attended the European World Congress in Palliative Care, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Motivated by a vision for change, she returned with an expanded world view, intent on facilitating a greater range of human potential in providing end-of-life care in her workplace. Jane recognised the need for an independent, community based service of end-of-life care. She has also attended, 'Understanding Death, Care of the Dying' retreat with Christine Longaker, author of 'Facing Death, Finding Hope', at Dzogchen Beara in Ireland, UK.

Jane and Fiona offer ways to understand ourselves in the light of our own mortality and that of loved ones. Their aspiration draws on their own individual transformations, to effect change and alleviate suffering for those facing end-of-life and their families. Their aspiration is to provide an authentic presence, engender connection, with empathy and compassion, and seek to help people to find their own strength and path, as well as offer training and support to organisations offering care at end of life.