Assisted dying: safe space conversations

Safe space discussions should be ongoing throughout the parliamentary process. You might need to liaise with team leaders, to make sure everyone who wants to attend a session can do so over time.

Make sure each meeting is long enough for everyone to contribute – we suggest you allow two hours.

Choose a comfortable and quiet setting for the meeting, where participants will not be interrupted. Consider face-to-face and remote options.

When you invite staff and volunteers to the meeting, you should define the purpose of the conversation so that people know what to expect. Set out whether you are expecting people to prepare in advance, for example by reading an update on the progress of the legislation.

Make it clear that the invitation is optional, and highlight other opportunities to take part if people are unable to attend this time.

Remind everyone about other sources of information and support.

At the start of the session, encourage participants to share what factors make them feel safe and supported in a discussion. Use these experiences to develop a safe space agreement.

Make sure there is a mutual understanding of terms such as confidentiality, respect, and privacy.

Keep the conversation focussed and constructive.  Set boundaries about what the conversation will and will not cover.

Invite multiple perspectives and views. Ask open questions to encourage discussion.

Make sure all voices can be heard and encourage respectful curiosity. Repeat or paraphrase what someone said to promote understanding.

Remind people that they can communicate in their own way. They do not have to respond to everything, and it's fine if they don't want to contribute verbally.

Suggest participants use “I” statements when discussing emotive topics. This makes it clear that someone is speaking from their own personal experience rather than making generalisations. 

If disagreement arises, name it gently and return to the shared safe space agreement.

Be comfortable with silence while group members think or build the courage to make a contribution.

Invite participants to reflect on how they are arriving emotionally to the session. How that might affect the way they want to participate today?

Monitor the emotions in the group. Take time out as needed and offer support as appropriate.

Make sure you consider and respect participants' cultural and religious beliefs. These can have a strong impact on someone's response to assisted dying.

It is important to make sure everyone has the chance to share their views and be listened to. This is particularly the case for people from minoritised groups.

Make sure that any information you are sharing about the progress of assisted dying legislation is as factual as possible.

Much of the detail about the law and how a future assisted dying service will work, is not yet clear or available. There is significant conjecture and speculation in the public domain.

It is important to acknowledge this uncertainty in the discussion, be clear on what we know and don't know, and avoid speculation. 

It is perfectly appropriate to acknowledge where we don't know the answer, or don't yet know the course we might take.