About Us
Our Purpose
Talk VSED is a grassroots, citizen-led group in the UK working to raise awareness and share accurate, compassionate information about Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) — a legal choice for adults with mental capacity who choose to hasten death by stopping eating and drinking.
Our group includes family members of those who have chosen to VSED, End of Life Doulas and former healthcare professionals with experience of or an interest in VSED. As volunteers, we come together to open up public conversations, host information sessions, and advocate for clearer guidance and better understanding of VSED within health and social care.
Personal and professional experience has taught us (and existing research confirms) that for many people VSED can be a humane and compassionate way to die given appropriate support. However, our experience has also shown us that in the UK accessing the right support is often not straightforward.
We do not promote or oppose VSED. We believe in informed choice, respectful dialogue, and support for those navigating end-of-life decisions.
Our Mission
Talk VSED's mission is to promote awareness and understanding of VSED as a legal choice, and to support informed, respectful conversations on the subject. We aim to share clear, evidence-based information, amplify the voices of those with lived experience, and call for national guidance that supports individuals and those important to them, caregivers and health and social care professionals navigating this choice.
Our Vision
We envision a future in which individuals have choices and can make informed decisions about how they die, and where healthcare and social care services are equipped to respond with clarity, compassion, and respect for autonomy. This means a society where VSED is in the public consciousness, recognised, respected, and supported as a legitimate choice.
Some of our Group Members
Jagna
Jagna was alongside her father during his VSED journey. After witnessing a good death, she was startled by the invisibility of VSED compared to other end of life options. She initiated Talk VSED to raise awareness. Jagna believes that having open conversations about death and dying and that knowing one's options can increase one's quality of life.
Aly
Aly has been an End of Life Doula since 2013, accompanying people with life-limiting illness, frailty, or dementia. Her work has also included supporting individuals choosing VSED. As a co-founder and former Director of End of Life Doula UK, Aly values autonomy and choice and is now pleased to contribute to the work of Talk VSED.
Bridgeen
Bridgeen has been caring for people in their homes since 2013. Having qualified as an End of Life Doula in 2018, she is specifically supporting people at the very end of life and latterly people wishing to VSED. She believes strongly in people determining how and when they die and supports natural living and dying.
Emily
Emily had a career in social work and witnessed her parents both having ten years of suffering before their deaths. On retirement, she read about the role of an End of Life Doula and trained and practiced for ten years. She is interested in how people can have more choice and control at the end of life to prevent loss of dignity and quality of life.
