We are now hearing from Nigel Hartley, MBE, who is delivering the annual Francis Sheldon Memorial Lecture, this year called 'My life with death - what I learned at the hospice.' 

Nigel has been discussing his upcoming campaign, working with Mountbatten Isle of Wight to deliver My Death. My Life. My Plan, which launches shortly.

"I have huge admiration of the human tenacity of our staff,' Nigel said. 

"We get so much right for the people who are dying, who come to us with their families," he said. 

The number of people Mountbatten cares for has grown exponentially and it has meant Mountbatten has expertise to share.

"I believe hospices have the key to reignite an army of key support and kindness," said Nigel.

Whilst dying, most people spend their time with families, friends and neighbours or, more frequently, alone. Some are scared of hospices which means, said Nigel, "just when people need us most, the world retreats, creating a social death before physical demise." 

Nigel discussed how the meaning and expression of dying is shaped by our social communities and personal experiences. He talked about needing to talk about 'death and dying',  to help ease negative emotions. 

Nigel shared his experiences of people dying when he was a child. And early in his career, he worked to support people with AIDS, sharing his extensive experiences - some of them very challenging. He also talked about the changes within the hospice sector. 

'Education is key.'

"Dying is not a medical event, but a social experience. We are dealing with what it is to be a human being."

Click here to follow along with our Mountbatten Conference 2026 blog