The Department of Health Social Enterprise Investment Fund supported us with the start-up funding to make the Conversations for Life programme available nationally via this website under an independent, not-for-profit, community investment corporation, Stories to Change, CIC. Stories to Change is now the 'container' for interested individuals, organisations and funders to partner in supporting the outreach of this work in communities. We aim to deliver additional programmes via partnerships over time.

If you like what we're doing, we'd welcome your support.

There are benefits and challenges to being independent! We have received initial funding and gain supporters daily through feedback. Yet we are dependent upon product and programme fees, grants, donations or sponsorships to continue to deliver these programmes. As such, we keep our staffing and overheads to an absolute minimum, and aim to partner with and teach others in their own communities via the web and workshops to use these materials to reach as many people as possible.

Our First Partner: NHS Cumbria

NHS Cumbria, under a Healthy Choices Initiative, was the first collaborative partner to support a community-wide awareness intiaitive of the Conversations for Life Programme for the people of Cumbria A cross-sector steering group, the volunteers who shared their stories, and the outreach and support of multiple organisations supported the success of the initial pilot project Cumbria Conversations for Life. We are most grateful for their initial support. More information about this project and the steering group can be found at www.cumbriaconversationsforlife.nhs.uk.

Our First Endorsement: NHS National End of Life Care Programme

NHS Cumbria Conversations for Life

This is both a fantastically practical and poignant project which could help thousands of families in Cumbria and beyond. Talking about and planning the care we wish to receive in the final weeks and months of our life is a crucial first step towards the good death.

Health and social care staff, backed by many selfless volunteers, provide care and support to those nearing the end of their lives and their families.

The more that individuals and their families have talked about death, dying and how they wish to be cared for, the more that care can be matched to the individual's wishes and needs. It will also help staff and volunteers provide bereaved relatives and friends with the support they need, as well as often improving the inner strength and resources which bereaved people can call on to cope with their loved one's death.

We know that many parts of our society have not yet hurdled the cultural barriers to talking about death and dying. This project is another - very welcome and innovative - leap in that process.

Claire Henry
National Director
National End of Life Care Programme

Aligned Organisations

The Conversations for Life programme provides a catalyst for individuals and communities to start these conversations. Yet many incredible organizations support this work as well. Over time, we hope to list them all. As a start, we want you to know about the work of:

• The Dying Matters Coalition

Conversations for Life programme was one of the first 100 members of the Dying Matters Coalition. Dying Matters is a broad based and inclusive national coalition of just under 7000 members, which aims to change public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards death, dying and bereavement.


• The Peer Educator Programme at Lancaster University

We appreciate the support and collaboration of the Lancaster Peer Education Group. To learn more about their work and public awareness project with NHS North Lancashire, go to: https://www.dyingmatters.org/news/42