New MyWishes overview videos
We have produced a video to help highlight the value MyWishes brings to our users and the wider community.
We hope you like our new videos as much as we do. If you like the videos and would like to share them on social media, please do. 🙂
About our new videos and the creation process
Over the last few months we have been slowly putting together two short videos. The videos are for use over the year ahead to highlight what MyWishes is and why it is important. The two videos use the same content and have been optimised for different purposes.
We wanted to make sure that most of MyWishes core features were showcased and explained. By doing so, the interface and purpose of them is easy to understand. The videos use a mixture of screencasts from the MyWishes platform further assisted with the use of animation.
Main version
If you would like to view some of the other videos we have created over the past few years, you may want to visit and subscribe to our Youtube Channel.
Instagram Version
View this post on Instagram
The creation process
Once the video had a set of defined goals, we started to ‘storyboard’ the video. This involved working out the story that ‘Kelly’ would tell and how best for her to articulate ‘what matters most’ to her within a short amount of time.
We then wrote the script and recorded it. Once the script was recorded and edited down, we edited the video making sure that it was in time to the script.
Final product
We are happy with the outcome. Upon completion we reedited the master video making a separate version more suitable for watching on Instagram and mobile devices. This version is a different aspect ratio (video screen size). By zooming into certain video clips smaller content appears larger in Instagram and when watching on mobile devices.
We also decided to increase the animation sizes and added further animations within the Instagram version
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document, share and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. We only work directly with the NHS, local governments and charities and do not share our communities data with anyone.
To learn more about each feature and how each section supports society to plan for ‘what matters most’ click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Sort out your life! 100 tiny tricks - Guardian feature
"Sort out your life! 100 tiny tricks to help with everything from digital overwhelm to lumpy sugar and unpaid bills"
"Sort out you life!"
The Guardian Newspaper have published a checklist of 100 life hacks that can be implemented for improved feelings of wellbeing and productivity.
We are delighted to have made the top 100 list and would like to thank Emma Beddington at the Guardian for including MyWishes as one of the ways in which people can “sort out your life”.
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. To learn how it works click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Association of Palliative Day Services Conference 2024
We are delighted to announce that we will be participating in The APDS Conference 2024
APDS Conference 2024’s theme is Innovation, Inclusion and Collaboration – Building Back Better. It is a face to face conference taking place at Conference Aston, Birmingham
APDS Conference 2024 - Agenda
09:00 – 09:30 Registration
- 09:30 – 10:15 Opening Keynote Presentation – Future Direction Update from Hospice UK, Anita Hayes – Clinical Quality Lead, Hospice UK
- 10:15 – 11:00 Workshop 1 – Your Life, Your Death ACP Programme Katie Miller – Longfield Hospice
11:00 – 11:15 Break
- 11:15 – 12:00 Workshop 2 -Transition from children’s services to adult services, Naomi Turrell – Wellbeing lead nurse, St Andrew’s Hospice
- 12:00 – 12:30 Your Shout – Reflections from the morning Workshops APDS Committee to facilitate
12:30 – 13:15 Lunch and Networking
- 13:15 – 13:30 APDS Annual General Meeting, APDS Committee
- 13:30 – 14:15 Workshop 3 – Partnership working with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Macmillan and Myton Hospice, Jodie Morris – Deputy Nursing Director, Myton Hospice and Kieran Howell
- 14:15 – 15:00 Workshop 4 – Neuro Living Well Course, Grace Dakin and Rachel Milne – St Peter’s Hospice
15:00 – 15:30 Break
- 15:30 – 16:15 Closing Keynote Presentation James Norris – Founder, MyWishes
16:15 – 16:30 Closing Remarks
About The Association of Palliative Day Services
The Association of Palliative Day Services, known as APDS, is a national representative body formed exclusively for palliative day service professionals from across the UK and Ireland.
Originally formed in the 1990’s as a platform for day care leaders to share ideas and experiences, the association has sought to bring together services from across the country to uniform structure and develop guidelines for practice. The APDS continues to provide support and education for palliative day service professionals and has built an essential network for providers across the UK.
The vision is to create a meaningful alliance between day service providers, to form a national voice that advocates strategic development to strengthen and align services across the country. The APDS strives to promote education and professional development, and to be continually advancing standards in care for patients and their loved ones. Most importantly, the Association has provided a supportive community for day services; this network enables members to draw upon the wealth of experience and expertise within a growing and dedicated network of colleagues.
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. To learn how it works click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Advance Care Plan Day 2024 - Announcement
A national day highlighting the importance of Advance Care Planning
On the 8th May the first national Advance Care Planning day will take place in the United Kingdom. This day of action and awareness will highlight the importance of Advance Care Planning and encourage society to document, share and discuss their wishes.
Participate in ACP Day 2024
There are a number of ways in which the general public and professionals can get involved ahead of the national day and on the day itself.
The new Advance Care Plan Day website containing information about the different aspects of Advance Care Planning asks visitors to make and share ‘pledges’ about the Advance Care Planning tasks they now intend to undertake. Visitors are also able to help empower others to learn and participate by sharing prompt cards outlining the different aspects of Advance Care Planning.
Through education and social participation, it is hoped that an increased number of Advance Care Planning tasks such as documentation and important discussions across the UK will take place.
Telling stories and the national conference
Those wanting to submit their own Advance Care Planning stories (both good and bad) are encouraged to share them for publication if they wish to do so.The first two Advance Care Plan Day, ‘Getting Your House in Order’ podcasts are now live.
Registration for the ‘Getting your House in Order, Advance Care Planning Conference’ is now open. This hybrid conference will take place with a live audience in Norwich and streamed live on the 8th May. More than 20 health and social care organisations across the globe have already received the streaming link in order for it to be watched live at their place of work.
Charitable organisations working within relevant fields are encouraged to be listed as a ‘supporter’ for this year’s national day of action and awareness.
About Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning is a voluntary process where someone thinks about and makes plans for their future health, social care and wider wishes. An Advance Care Plan can be one or more documents that express someone’s future health, social care and wider wishes. You can create an Advance Care Plan for free on MyWishes
The vast majority of adults in the UK have not created and shared one or more Advance Care Planning documents. The aim of the awareness and action day is to help change this. Making plans in advance can be of great benefit whilst someone is healthy, when they are unwell, for care professionals and for the person’s friends and family members in the future.
To learn more about the UK’s Advance Care Plan Day and to get involved visit www.AdvanceCarePlanDay.org
About Advance Care Plan Day (#ACPDay2024)
Advance Care Plan Day is a not for profit awareness campaign taking place on the 8th May 2024. It is a national day of awareness and action for all areas around advance care planning.
ACP Day 2024 is being organised by members of MyWishes, The Digital Legacy Association, Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Speak For Me LPA. To view a list of supporters and contributors (and to become one) click here
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free.
To learn how MyWishes works and to create a free account click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
'Best Digital Legacy Platform' - Winner
MyWishes wins ‘Best Digital Legacy Platform’ Award
We are delighted to announce that MyWishes has won the ‘Best Digital Legacy Platform’ Award’ from the SME Business Elite Awards.
We have worked tirelessly to develop and provide a free to use, future planning platform that is of high value to society. Digital assets planning and digital legacy safeguarding is an important part of this
We would like to say a big “THANK YOU” for the nomination and this month’s award.
How we support our community with digital legacy safeguarding and digital assets planning
Our multifaceted approach to digital legacy and digital assets planning includes:
- Planning for digital assets held in third party online accounts (social networks etc) that are of a sentimental value within a Social Media Will.
- Leaving Goodbye Messages that allows loved ones and future generations to receive messages following death.
- Planning digital assets of a monetary value within a legally binding Last Will & Testament.
- Writing or publishing a self written or video recorded obituary to help contribute to the person’s own obituary. This task can form part of someone’s Funeral Wishes.
- Developing digital legacy tutorials to empower society with different aspects of digital asset ownership, digital death and digital legacy on MyWishes and third party accounts (social networks etc).
- Raising awareness about the importance of digital legacy planning in the media and speaking at events. A list of events we are speaking at in 2024 (last updated on the 27th December 2023) can be viewed here.
- Highlighting the importance of philanthropic activities such as leaving a gift to others and charities Last Will and Testaments and supporting people who wish to donate money to a charity at their funeral (legacy giving).
The best person to manage your digital assets and put plans in place to help safeguard your digital legacy is you. You don’t have to pay anyone to do this, you just need to allocate a small amount of time to address it.
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your own unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. To create an account and get started click here.
We would like to thank the SME Business Elite Awards once again for the nomination and the award.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Other, recent news
Speaking events confirmed for 2024
Upcoming conferences and events
We are looking forward to sharing insights and learning from others at the following conferences and events in 2024. If you plan to attend any of the events listed below and would like to have a conversation before or after any of the events listed, please do get in touch ahead of time.
Conferences and events planned for 2024
The events and conferences listed below were confirmed ahead of this news post published on the 10th December 2023. If you are reading this post after the this date we might be speaking at additional events and conferences not listed below.
- 22nd February – Harlington Hospice, Palliative Care Bites (Online)
- (TBC) February – St Wilfrid’s Hospice, West Sussex
- 6th March – St Christopher’s Hospice training, London
- 20th March – Digital Legacy Collaborative event, Liverpool
- 8th May – Advance Care Planning Day Conference, NHS Norfolk & Norwich University Trust
- 3rd June – Global Fellowship in Palliative Care (online)
- 5th June – U3A, (online)
- 12th June – NHS Bristol Centre for Enablement (online)
- 2nd-4th July – Hospice Palliative Care Association Nigeria (HPCAN, online)
- 31st July – St Wilfrid’s Hospice Chichester
- 20th September – Wirral Hospice St John’s (Online)
- 25th September – Marie Curie (Project ECHO, online)
- 23rd October – The Digital Legacy Conference 2024, Bern, Switzerland (part of Public Health Palliative Care International Conference 2024)
If you would like us to speak at your event or conference in 2024 please do get in touch
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. To learn how it works click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Shortlisted for a Royal Society of Medicine Award
Mental health and palliative care: Equipped to care’
The ‘Wellbeing Hub’ developed in partnership with Harlington Hospice was recently shortlisted for the Royal Society of Medicine’s annual ‘Palliative Care and Mental Health Prize’.
The award formed part of the RSM’s annual ‘Mental health and palliative care: Equipped to care’ event.
The wider objective on the event for attendees was to
- Gain an overview of new innovations for meeting the palliative needs of people with mental illness
- Understand approaches to managing mental and physical multimorbidity
- Learn from best practice examples in psychiatry and palliative care
- Engage in interactive workshops and case based discussions exploring mental and physical multimorbidity
Presenting our work at the Royal Society of Medicine
As part of the award process, we were invited to present a moderated oral presentation at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on the 29th November.
Unfortunately the Wellbeing Hub did not win the overall award however we are grateful to the RSM for short listing the project as a ‘prize submission’. We also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to present our work and learn how other professionals are providing improving care and innovating within the palliative care and mental health space.
About the Wellbeing Hub
The Wellbeing Hub was created following a successful grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The grant was managed and allocated by Hospice UK to help ‘reimagine hospice wellbeing services’.
This project is a partnership between Harlington Hospice and the tech for good platform, MyWishes. The Wellbeing Hub launched during Hospice UK’s annual ‘Hospice Care Week 2023’.
Project aims
- Deliver first-of-its-kind Digital Wellbeing Hub.
- Empower the local community to take charge of their future health and wellbeing (two are symbiotic).
- Utilise technology to reimagine existing wellbeing services.
- Improve residents transitioning from community care to the inpatient unit (and help make hospice care feel more approachable).
- Normalise hospice wellbeing services.
- Integrate with Hillingdon’s newly created End of life coordination Hub
- Improve triaging and person centred care across Hillingdon (in bith clinical and non clinical settings).
To learn more about the Wellbeing Hub click here
“Developing the Wellbeing Hub was a great opportunity to learn from other professionals providing wellbeing services in. Hillingdon. The wellbeing services provided by Harlington Hospice and charitable partners have also been a source of personal inspiration. We look forward to supporting Hillingdon residents in the months and years to come whilst improving the value provided through the Wellbeing Hub and the others services available to residents on MyWishes”.
– Thanh Vu, MyWishes Chief Technical Officer
Michael Sobell House Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Harlington Hospice and MyWishes launch Wellbeing Hub
What is the Wellbeing Hub?
The Wellbeing Hub has been developed to empower Hillingdon residents’ and improve overall feelings of wellbeing. It has been launched to coincide with this year’s Hospice Care Week and World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
The Wellbeing Hub has been developed in partnership between Harlington Hospice and MyWishes.
Supporting people living in Hillingdon
Harlington Hospice is excited to announce a partnership with MyWishes to launch the Digital Wellbeing Hub, during this year’s Hospice Care Week.
This innovative offering provides a unique platform that seeks to empower and improve the overall wellbeing of people living in and around Hillingdon.
How it works
The new ‘Wellbeing Hub’ is now available for all Hillingdon residents; it hosts newly created content to better engage with the local community. By integrating modern, hospice wellbeing content alongside more generalised wellbeing content it is hoped that a symbiotic bridge between the two areas will be created. It is also hoped that by providing the general public with engaging hospice wellbeing content prior to the need for receiving care, the transition to hospice care will be easier and less daunting in the future.
Reimagining Hospice Wellbeing Services
Two examples newly created content is shown below. They are examples of reimagining and modernising ‘The Whirlpool of Grief theory’ created by Dr Wilson is visualised within an animation. The ‘on-demand’ Trupudio class uses engaging and synchronised visuals to help energise and engage the participant.
Whirlpool of Grief (reimagined using animation)
Whirlpool of Grief (development process)
Initial sketch and animation by Tom at MyWishes. Voiceover by Paula from Harlington Hospice
Trupdio class (reimagined using video and animation)
Trupudio class (development process)
Initial sketch and animation by Tom at MyWishes. Voiceover by Paula from Harlington Hospice.
Reimagining Wellbeing Services
The wellbeing hub stands as a pioneering initiative that empowers people to enhance their wellbeing in a holistic way with their own unique wellbeing journeys. To enable this, the platform allows for users to set personal goals and accomplish tasks that align with their individual wellbeing aspirations.
The Purpose
The core aim of this project is not only to attract new people to the wellbeing hub but also to reach those who may be unaware of the extensive services offered by Harlington Hospice. It is important to note that the wellbeing hub is not exclusively focused on Harlington Hospice’s services, but rather it serves as a public facing community service and resource. The platform also efficiently signposts residents to a number of other local organisations that can support residents with their wellbeing.
Reimagining Wellbeing Services
Accessibility and user-friendliness were key focus areas when developing the hub and accessing the site is very straightforward and only takes users a few minutes to register. When registering, a Hillingdon postcode needs to be added in order to access Hillingdon specific content. The resident then needs to select the ‘My Wellbeing’ tab from the menu on the left hand side, which brings them to the wellbeing hub and its resources.
Editors and residents interested in working with us
For individuals interested in taking part in the user testing of the Digital Wellbeing Hub, please contact Cath Cole at ccole@harlingtonhospice.org.
For media enquiries or to organise an interview please contact Maya Tsering Bhalla, Marketing & Communications Manager at Harlington Hospice: mtbhalla@harlingtonhospice.org. Mobile: 07535 648 952
The press release (word document) and relevant images can be viewed, accessed and downloaded by clicking here. A Google doc version of the press release can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here.
Wellbeing Hub – academic poster
We published a poster whilst the Wellbeing Hub was being still built. The poster helped share the story behind the project and it’s mission. It also gave us an opportunity to provide a sneak peak of the content created and the features we had started to develop. The poster was displayed at the 12th World Research Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care in Rotterdam. The Congress is organised by the European Association of Palliative Care.
To view the poster click on the image displayed on the lefthand side. It will then be expanded into a larger version
To review and reference this poster using Research Gate click here
Self-empowerment
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them. You are welcome to use MyWishes to assist.
We are a ‘tech for good’ service and everything is free for everyone to use. To learn how our service works and it’s features click here.
Share this story
Michael Sobell House Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
Share this story
Autumn conferences
Upcoming conferences
We are looking forward to sharing insights and learning from others at the following conferences. If you plan to attend any of the events listed below and would like to have a conversation before or after any of the events listed, please do get in touch ahead of time.
Conferences in September & October
- Digital Legacy’, design & technology networking event (Liverpool, UK)
20th September: Networking event to promote multi-professional collaboration to support design-focused, ‘Digital Legacy’ research in palliative care. Click here for more information and tickets
- Nationella konferensen i palliativ vård (Malmo Sweden)
2nd-4th October, James (our founder) will be delivering a keynote at the ‘National Conference on Palliative Care Conference’. It is the largest palliative care conference in Sweden and is organised by the Swedish ‘Institute for Palliative Care’. Click here for more information & tickets
- Association of Palliative Care Social Workers, Annual Conference (London, UK)
6th October: James (our founder) will be delivering a keynote at this year’s conference. The conference’s theme is ‘Innovative Practice in Palliative Care’. Click here for more information
- Rennie Grove Hospice – Annual Conference (online)
18th October: A ‘One day virtual conference addressing some of the most important and topical issues in palliative and end of life care’. Click here for more information and tickets
Making plans on MyWishes
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them.
MyWishes is a ‘tech for good’ service, we can assist and everything we provide to the general public is free. To learn how it works click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.
New Leaflet - Free to download and use
Newly updated MyWishes leaflet
We have updated our public facing, awareness leaflet. Feel free to download it onto your computer and print it with your preferred printing company. Once printed it can be shared and used within your local community.
How to use our leaflets
It is really simple…
- Download the leaflet (as a PDF) by clicking here. When you can see the image click on the ‘download’ icon or text. This will download the file onto the device you are currently using.
- Email the leaflet to a local printing company or your preferred online printing company.
- The chosen printing company will print and fold the leaflet for you.
- Share the leaflets and empower your local community to make plans for themselves and their loved ones.
- This leaflet is available in Punjabi to download by clicking here
- This leaflet is available in Vietnamese to download by clicking here
Self-empowerment
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them. You are welcome to use MyWishes to assist.
We are a ‘tech for good’ service and everything is free to use. To learn how it works click here.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
- Register and document your wishes for free here
- For all enquires click here
- To learn how MyWishes works click here
MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.