The Beginning and The End
by Margie
As designers of the built environment, Edmiston Jones is actively involved in senior living, aged care and early childhood. Also, from a social and community perspective, we understand the mutual benefits of bringing all generations together and, four years ago, initiated the Age Friendly Illawarra Alliance. Next week, on 25 July, our Health and Wellbeing team is hosting a gathering in our Wollongong studio we are calling, The Beginning and The End. Two engaging speakers, Dr Athena Hammond and Jenny Briscoe-Hough, bring a distinctly human centred approach to their professions and will share their experiences working with people at the polar opposite stages of life.
Left to Right: Dr Athena Hammond and Jenny Briscoe-Hough
A trained midwife and researcher for the last ten years, Dr Athena Hammond focusses on the impacts of birth unit design upon quality of care provision, the wellbeing of midwives and the clinical outcomes of childbearing women. Athena’s research around the impact of the stress hormone cortisol on both patients and staff informed Edmiston Jones’ recent design for the birthing unit at Wollongong Hospital.
Supporting people and their families at the end of life, Jenny Briscoe-Hough is the driving force behind Tender Funerals, a community owned and operated funeral service based in Port Kembla. Tender Funerals is part of the community movement towards reclaiming the rites around death and dying, to empower people to take control of their dying, their deaths and their funerals.
Following their presentations, Athena and Jenny will be joined in a panel discussion by Rebecca Glover, co-founder of local award-winning start-up venture Ex-Situ. Rebecca and her co-director April Creed have created a digital tool that records and shares an individual’s core values with chosen family, health practitioners and care providers. The platform seeks to improve the quality of life for those who may not be able to express their wishes to those caring for them.
We hope you can join this conversation to share your experiences. Register your interest here.
Left to Right: Dr Athena Hammond and Jenny Briscoe-Hough
A trained midwife and researcher for the last ten years, Dr Athena Hammond focusses on the impacts of birth unit design upon quality of care provision, the wellbeing of midwives and the clinical outcomes of childbearing women. Athena’s research around the impact of the stress hormone cortisol on both patients and staff informed Edmiston Jones’ recent design for the birthing unit at Wollongong Hospital.
Supporting people and their families at the end of life, Jenny Briscoe-Hough is the driving force behind Tender Funerals, a community owned and operated funeral service based in Port Kembla. Tender Funerals is part of the community movement towards reclaiming the rites around death and dying, to empower people to take control of their dying, their deaths and their funerals.
Following their presentations, Athena and Jenny will be joined in a panel discussion by Rebecca Glover, co-founder of local award-winning start-up venture Ex-Situ. Rebecca and her co-director April Creed have created a digital tool that records and shares an individual’s core values with chosen family, health practitioners and care providers. The platform seeks to improve the quality of life for those who may not be able to express their wishes to those caring for them.
We hope you can join this conversation to share your experiences. Register your interest here. 
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