CARE Delivery Type: Blended

Motor Neurone Disease Annual Conference

For more than 30 years, the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Annual Conference has brought together healthcare professionals, researchers and people with lived experience to share knowledge, explore challenges and strengthen care for people living with MND.

In partnership with

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

This one‑day conference offers space to reflect, learn and connect, with a focus on the latest developments in MND research and treatment. Topics include advances in genetics, communication technologies and the ethical questions that can arise in care. A defining strength of the day is hearing directly from people living with MND, whose experiences help shape understanding and inform compassionate, person‑centred practice.

The conference is jointly led by St Christopher’s Hospice and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Join us for a full‑day conference exploring the latest research and developments in Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and how new evidence can support and shape clinical practice.

The programme brings together leading clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience of MND, offering insight into what it’s really like to live with the condition and the challenges faced by those providing care. You’ll hear directly from people living with MND, helping ground learning in real experiences and everyday realities.

You can attend in person or online and take part in an engaging programme of expert‑led sessions, discussion and networking with professionals from across neurology, palliative care and the wider multidisciplinary team.

This conference is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the care and support of people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). It will be particularly relevant for, but not limited to:

  • Doctors in primary and secondary care
  • Consultant and specialist clinicians
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Community and District Nurses
  • Palliative Care Practitioners
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Dietitians
  • Social workers, counsellors and psychologists
  • Chaplains and spiritual care providers
  • Qualified care home staff
  • Other professionals involved in the multidisciplinary care of people with MND

The conference is primarily focused on professional learning, while also valuing insights from people with lived experience of MND.

This year’s conference will explore the latest research, clinical developments and emerging practice across key areas of Motor Neurone Disease, including:

  • Genetics – Advances in understanding the genetic factors involved in MND, including implications for future prevention and treatment.
  • Communication – How emerging technologies and tools are supporting communication and helping to restore voices for people living with MND.
  • Research Update – The latest research findings and developments from King’s College Hospital and King’s College London.
  • Ethical Dilemmas – Ethical issues relating to mental capacity, decision‑making and care planning in MND.

Throughout the programme, you will also hear directly from people with lived experience of MND, who will share insights into the services, treatments and resources that support them and their families.

TimeSession title
9:00amArrival & registration
Chair: Dr Cathy Ellis
9:30amWelcome & introductions
9:40amManagement of Spasticity in MND
Dr Eleonora Bradaschia
10:25amEthical Dilemmas
Dr Laura Smith
11:00amMorning break
Chair: Dr Emma Hall
11:20amAcceptance and Commitment Therapy for people living with MND
Prof Rebecca Gould
12:05pmCommunication
Richard Cave
1:00pmLunch
Chair: Dr Jemeen Sreedharan
1:45pmClinical Trials Update
Dr Jemeen Sreedharan
2:20pmOxford Research Update
Prof Martin Turner
3:00pmAfternoon break
3:30pmBetween Thought and Expression, Lies a Lifetime: The Inner Lifeworlds of MND
Prof Andrew Irving
4:15pmQ&A, reflections, & Close

Dr Cathy Ellis

Dr Ellis is a Consultant Neurologist at Kings College Hospital, London and Darent Valley Hospital. She was awarded a Ph. D. in 2001 for research investigating degeneration of the corticospinal…
Read More Dr Cathy Ellis

Dr Emma Hall

Emma was appointed as a consultant in palliative medicine at St Christopher’s in 2003. Her current clinical practice is based in the community team. Emma is an experienced educational and…
Read More Dr Emma Hall

Richard Cave

Richard Cave is a Speech and Language Therapist, and national adviser to Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for voice banking and MND. He is co-Director of the Centre…
Read More Richard Cave

Dr Jemeen Sreedharan

Dr Jemeen Sreedharan studied medicine at King’s College London, intercalating a BSc in Neurosciences and developing an early interest in neurodegeneration. After general medical training in London and Cambridge he…
Read More Dr Jemeen Sreedharan

Professor Martin Turner

Martin is Professor of Clinical Neurology & Neuroscience within Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and Honorary Consultant Neurologist to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK. His research…
Read More Professor Martin Turner

Communication Skills Introduction

What is a meaningful conversation?

Stewards

A genuine, empathetic exchange that brings together connection and support—especially during emotional moments.

Perhaps you are a receptionist, porter, caterer, or health or social care assistant, who finds yourself supporting individuals or families in distress. This course will give you the confidence to hold a meaningful conversation in challenging situations.

Try out a conversation with one of our virtual humans:

Build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

How is the course delivered?

By attending the course, you will have access to a range of realistic scenarios to practise your skills in a safe and supportive environment, with personalised formative feedback to guide ongoing improvement.

We’re excited to partner with Virti to bring you an innovative learning experience using AI-powered adaptive learning. This provides:

  • Scenario-based learning with AI-driven Virtual Humans
  • Safe, repeatable practice environment (no role play anxiety!)
  • Multiple realistic scenarios to build confidence
  • Personalised feedback to improve communication
  • Built with psychological safety and realism in mind

Watch the video below to find out more.

This course, will build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Confidently approach difficult conversations with compassion
  • Recognise common communication barriers
  • Identify distress in others and manage the personal impact of difficult conversations
  • Reflect on your professional role, its boundaries, and relevant policies and procedures
  • Strengthen emotional resilience and adopt strategies for self-care

When you sign up to this course you will have access to ‘virtual role play’ which is an innovative learning tool that provides a safe space for you to practice your newly acquired communication skills in different scenarios. Evidence shows that simulation-based learning and the opportunity to practice skills in a range of different scenarios helps to reinforce learning.

This half-day course is for those wanting to improve on communication skills in situations where you might have more challenging or sensitive conversations.

This course is particularly aimed at:

  • Receptionists
  • Porters
  • Health or social care assistants
  • Transport services
  • Catering staff
  • Domiciliary care staff
  • Retail staff
  • Anyone interested in further developing the skills and confidence when faced with more challenging conversations in the workplace.

Gail Preston

Gail has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years, initially specialising in Neuro Rehab before moving into Palliative Care. Over the last 15 years she has developed and evaluated services…
Read More Gail Preston

Universal Care Plan (UCP) Training for Croydon Care Homes

We are delighted to introduce the Universal Care Plan (UCP) training plan, a comprehensive initiative designed to support Care Homes in delivering consistent, person-centred care. This programme takes a staged approach to ensure that training is practical, sustainable, and embedded in daily practice.

This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting Care Homes in delivering excellent care through collaboration and shared learning.

Join us as we work together to make a lasting impact on the quality of care provided to residents.

In Year One, the focus is on building strong foundations with:

  • In-person training for Care Home Managers, providing them with the tools to lead the implementation of UCPs.
  • Online training for staff who will become UCP Champions, equipping them with the skills to facilitate Advance Care Planning conversations and promote the value of UCPs.
  • Local training sessions hosted by Lead Care Homes in Purley, Norwood, South Croydon, and Kenley, inviting neighbouring Care Homes to share and learn from UCP-based practices.

In Year Two, the programme continues to develop with:

  • On-site support from St Christopher’s clinical team, working directly with UCP Champions in Croydon Care Homes.
  • Online training for new Champions and refresher sessions for existing ones, ensuring skills remain sharp and effective.

UCP Training for Registered Managers (in-person at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham, London)

Training for UCP Champions (online)

More dates to be announced

If your Care Home is outside of Croydon but you are interested in this opportunity, please email education@stchristophers.org.uk

All Care Home staff in Croydon.

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

By the end of the UCP training programme, you will be able to:

  1. Define the principles, benefits, and common misconceptions of Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Universal Care Plans (UCPs).
  2. Describe challenges and issues related to ACP implementation in the context of UCPs, including addressing sensitive topics with families and residents.
  3. Demonstrate effective skills for conducting difficult, sensitive, and challenging conversations about end-of-life care with residents and their families.
  4. Record and share ACPs by gathering resident information, wishes, and preferences, ensuring accurate and effective use of the UCP system.
  5. Create appropriate responses to complex scenarios, such as managing expectations, addressing cultural considerations, supporting residents with dementia, and handling emergency situations.
  6. Assess personal strategies for self-care, recognising the emotional demands of engaging in sensitive conversations and supporting end-of-life care.

These outcomes aim to empower care home staff to confidently use the UCP system, with the ability to deliver compassionate, person-centred care while enhancing collaboration and communication within your teams and with residents’ families.

Pathfinder Leaders in Palliative Care 

Are you a professional working in health and social care interested to contribute to positive experiences of death, dying and loss through strong and confident leadership?

If so, we would like to invest in you.

We are interested to work with emerging leaders who want to improve how people live, die and grieve, by drawing on new and different leadership thinking and action. They will be people that aspire to shape care, build partnerships and form services that are future orientated, courageous and creative in nature.

You will have the opportunity to learn as part of a group of like-minded people who can rise above the challenges of today to meet tomorrow’s opportunities. Those contributing to the course as facilitators and guest speakers are drawn from within and beyond the hospice and palliative care sectors.

Please email education@stchristophers.org.uk to discuss joining.

Our curriculum is forward-focused and covers a range of issues. Online sessions last three hours in length, providing opportunities for conceptual learning, practical application, personal reflection and action planning. 

What is expected if you join the course?

In the course of the programme you are expected to undertake a work-based project. We can help guide you in relation to the type of project most appropriate, but it must be one that is seen as valuable by the organisation for which you work, and one which calls on leadership skills in its design and implementation. Your organisation must be happy to support you to identify and work on the project, giving you access to relevant data and resources. Ideally your managers will allocate some time for you to work on this, protected from the demands of the rest of your job. 

We expect participants to attend at least 80% of the course and to be prepared to complete the work-based project.

This leadership programme is an excellent opportunity for leaders and managers that have an aspiration to progress to director level and beyond. You will be recognised as having leadership potential and talent by your employing organisation.

This course will be of interest to:

  • Senior Managers already in post who want to build strategic leadership skills
  • Senior team leaders and heads of department who aspire to lead directorates in the future
  • New CEOs or COOs who have recently taken up roles within the hospice/palliative care sector and who want to immerse themselves in this area of work
  • Existing directors looking to hone their leadership skills

Topics covered in the programme: 

  • Knowing self, values and strengths
  • Building personal assets and resilience
  • Building strategic vision and clarity
  • Financial confidence
  • Authentic, centred leadership and gravitas
  • Forward looking transformation and change
  • Negotiation skills and influencing others
  • Maximising agency and leverage
  • Big picture thinking
  • Driving innovation
  • Building others
  • Networks, collaboration and partnership working
  • Being intelligent around risk
  • Intimacy at scale

Marie Cooper

Marie Cooper is a nurse with extensive experience in clinical leadership and practice development across a range of care settings. Having led change in previous roles, she now enjoys working…
Read More Marie Cooper

“The training strengthened my confidence as a leader and had a transformative impact on my career. I found my place in palliative care with a renewed sense of purpose”

– Thamirys Mendes, Brazil participant



“The course created a psychologically safe environment that encouraged open dialogue and deep self-reflection. I felt comfortable exploring my own strengths and areas for growth without judgment”

– Caroline Phillips, UK participant

Physician Associate Introduction to Palliative Care Community of Practice

Quality End of Life Care for All (QELCA) Train the Trainer Programme

This introductory programme is for physician associates with an interest in furthering their knowledge and skills in palliative care.

This is the first palliative care programme in the UK specifically tailored to physician associates.

This community of practice will consist of four afternoon sessions, providing an opportunity for developing communication skills and networking. The first three sessions will be via Zoom and the last session in-person at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

The four sessions will focus on:

  • An introduction to palliative care
  • Symptom control and psychological support
  • End of life care including recognising dying and anticipatory medicines
  • Communication skills involving scenarios

Who is it for?

This community of practice is open to physician associates either working in palliative care or primary care within the boroughs served by St. Christopher’s Hospice.

CPD accreditation from the FPA (Faculty of Physician Associates) pending

Please email education@stchristophers.org.uk if you are interested to join this future community.

The global learning objectives for this community are to:

  • Understand the core principles of palliative care, including symptom management, communication, and holistic patient care.
  • Reflect on personal attitudes and biases related to death, dying, and end-of-life care, and develop a compassionate and empathetic approach towards patients and their families.

Philippa Guppy

Philippa is a palliative care trainee in London, she combines her clinical role with her educational role as senior lecturer, chief OSCE examiner for the MPAS programme and chief examiner…
Read More Philippa Guppy

Chris Mangar

Chris is a Clinical Team Lead working for St Christopher’s in Bromley. He has worked in the community for many years and in specialist palliative care since 2011.  Chris combined holding…
Read More Chris Mangar

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Nigel Dodds Nurses

Welcome to the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) and Nurse Consultant (NC) Programme — a unique opportunity for experienced nurses in palliative and end of life care to advance their careers.

Offered by St Christopher’s CARE, a leading institution in hospice care, this programme equips you with the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to deliver high-quality, compassionate care.

Whether you’re looking to become an ACP or NC, you’ll benefit from expert teaching, practical learning, and a supportive community.

Join us to take your nursing practice to the next level and make a meaningful difference in end of life care.

For more information about the programme, please email the Professional Learning Team at education@stchristophers.org.uk

The potential contribution of senior nurses in palliative care has arguably never been greater. There is clear recognition on the part of Government, commissioners and providers of the value of strong clinical leadership to meet emerging demographic, disease specific, regulatory and other challenges. Simultaneously, there is new rhetoric and clarity about the potential role of nurses alongside medical and other colleagues to fulfil such a leadership role.

This unique course will offer sustained opportunity for nurses who aspire to be advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) or nurse consultants (NCs) to gain the skills and knowledge required within these roles. We welcome nurses from across the NHS, private and voluntary sector.

The programme is divided into two parts. All learners start together for the first half of the programme. Then, those that wish to advance their role beyond advanced nursing practice to that of a consultant remain for the second half of the programme.

  • New dates to be confirmed

Qualifications and experience required:

  • Experience: At least three years in a Band 7 nursing role or equivalent.
  • Palliative Care: Significant experience in palliative and end of life care.
  • Education: Completion (or near completion) of a Master’s program that includes advanced physical assessment and independent prescribing modules, or these must be completed by the end of the course.
  • Self-Development: A strong passion for self-improvement and enhancing nursing practice.
  • Leadership: A desire to be an effective leader focused on improving the experiences of dying and grief through advanced practice.
  • Network Commitment: Willingness to actively participate in the Global Palliative Nursing Network during the program.

Support from Host Organisation:

Candidates must work for an organisation that can support advanced practitioners, including:

  • Clinical Support: Access to supervision from a consultant doctor or nurse in relevant competencies (can be arranged as needed).
  • Mentorship: Guidance from a more senior nurse (can also be arranged as needed).
  • In-House Resources: Access to advice on independent prescribing and advanced examinations.

Host Organisation Requirements:

  • Adjusted responsibilities to allow for project completion, quality improvement experiences, and leadership opportunities.
  • There must be a senior nurse or doctor available to assess and sign off on the nurse’s capabilities during practice.
  • The organisation must agree to support the nurse’s development throughout the program with:
    • Financial assistance.
    • Time away from clinical duties for study.

Teaching and Learning Structure:

Participants will be taught by a diverse team of clinicians, healthcare leaders, academics, and peers. Learning will take place both in person and virtually.

Course Structure:

  • Aspiring Nurse Consultants (NCs): Must complete both Part 1 and Part 2.
  • Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs): Only required to complete Part 1.

Part 1 (For ACPs and NCs):

  • 12 In-Person Days: Comprehensive, face-to-face training sessions.
  • Minimum 6 Days of Self-Directed Learning: Independent study tailored by the course requirements.
  • Leadership Training (Optional): Available virtually for those seeking to enhance their leadership skills.
  • Teach with CARE (Optional): A hybrid program (in-person and virtual) designed to develop teaching and mentoring skills.

Part 2 (For Aspiring NCs Only):

  • 6 In-Person Days: Advanced, face-to-face learning specific to the Nurse Consultant role.
  • Minimum 2 Days of Self-Directed Learning: Independent study guided by course expectations.

Learning Methods for All Participants:

  • Lectures, Seminars, and Webinars: Engaging and informative sessions delivered by experts.
  • Workshops: Practical, hands-on learning activities.
  • Communities of Practice: Collaborative spaces for peer support and shared learning.
  • Guided Reflections: Opportunities for self-assessment and reflection on practice.
  • Clinical Observations and Placements: Real-world experience in clinical settings.
  • Online Learning Platform: A virtual space for interaction with peers and faculty, as well as access to additional on-demand learning resources.

Learners in the program will:

  • Understand the current landscape of palliative and end of life care and the role of nursing within it.
  • Grasp the diverse responsibilities of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) or Nurse Consultant (NC) in this context.
  • Gain confidence in delivering skilled, evidence-based, personalized care to dying patients and their families, as expected of an ACP or NC.
  • Identify and act on leadership opportunities at all levels (individual, team, organiSation, system) that benefit from ACP or NC expertise.
  • Understand the importance of quality in healthcare and the role of senior clinical leaders in maintaining high standards.
  • Explore ways to advance and contribute to the nursing profession.

Meet your Programme Leaders

The programme will be led by Heather Richardson and Marie Cooper who will draw on the rich experience of colleagues within and beyond St Christopher’s working as senior clinicians and consultants. Some of the in-house team you will meet are described below. 

Marie Cooper

Marie Cooper is a nurse with extensive experience in clinical leadership and practice development across a range of care settings. Having led change in previous roles, she now enjoys working…
Read More Marie Cooper
ACP and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Teach with CARE – improve your teaching practice

  • Are you passionate about teaching in health and social care?
  • Do you want to fine tune your teaching practice?
  • Would you like to introduce innovations in your approach to learning?  

Teach with CARE is a four-day course with teaching spread over several weeks.

The course considers different perspectives of adult learning and pedagogy.

The sessions introduce best practice techniques including planning; presenting; resourcing; questioning; assessing and evaluating teaching across the four days.

Learners will also look at online educational tools for effective teaching as well as evaluating best practice for face-to-face and online teaching. They will have the opportunity to plan and share a short teaching session and receive supportive feedback.

“It’s common to be asked to teach others as part of your role, but for those with no training and little experience in teaching, this can be a nerve-wracking prospect. Teach with CARE has been developed as a foundational step into the theory and practice of teaching and learning, giving clinical and non-clinical colleagues alike the confidence and ideas to excel in the role. High quality teaching is critical to our learners being able to put what we teach into practice, and therefore benefits the quality of care delivered throughout the sector.“

Matt Tregellas, Digital Learning Manager and Teach with CARE Lead, St Christopher’s CARE

“I really enjoyed the four days. I think that Teach with CARE should be mandatory for all (teaching colleagues), no matter how long they have been teaching. It gives everyone a platform from which they can be launched and a sense of what is expected of them.” 

Teach with CARE attendee

What will the course look like?

  • Fully virtual course: With this option all four days learning are online via Zoom
  • Blended course: For this option the learning will be in-person at CARE (days 1 and 4) and online (days 2 and 3).
    Please note you will need a laptop for the in-person sessions.

This course will involve:

  • Exploration of academic and web articles
  • A range of activity types including: live and video presentation; using interactive tools as both a learner and a teacher; discussion; pair and group work; self-study; critical thinking; reflection
  • Completion of tasks before and after sessions. There will be approximately one hour of self-study per session and slightly longer for the final assignment.

What will I learn?

  • Theories of teaching and learning
  • Consider the needs of adult learners and how to create engaging learning
  • Consider implications for practice when teaching face-to-face or virtually
  • Enhance and develop teaching practice

Who is it for?

The course is for anyone who wishes to improve their teaching practice face-to-face and online, particularly those in health and social care, but the learning from this course can be used in most settings.

Delegates are expected to have a basic understanding of navigating a laptop, supporting software and use of the internet.

Matt Tregellas

After graduating from the University of Sheffield, Matt moved to Japan where he began his career as an English language teacher. After three years, Matt returned to the UK where…
Read More Matt Tregellas

Lorna Malcolm

Lorna joined the Rehabilitation team at St Christopher’s in 2008, as a newly qualified physiotherapist, coming from previous careers in Law and Health and Fitness. She has also worked as…
Read More Lorna Malcolm

Programme

  • Exploring St Christopher’s CARE aims and Pedagogical Framework
  • Considering different perspectives on adult learning
  • Planning; presenting; resourcing; questioning; assessing and evaluating teaching in response to learner input and feedback
  • Considering best practice for face-to-face and online teaching
  • Using online tools for effective teaching
  • Planning and sharing the rationale for a teaching session

Day 1

10.00Welcome and Introductions
St Christopher’s CARE and the Pedagogical Framework
11.00Break
11.15Theories of learning
12.15Lunch
12.55Adult learning and active learning
14.15Reflection, evaluation and wrap up
15.00Close

Day 2

10.00The teaching context
11.15Break
11.30Constructive alignment, learning outcomes and Bloom’s taxonomy
12.40Lunch
13.20Online educational tools
14.20Homework set up and reflection
15.00Close

Day 3

10.00The Conversational Framework
Active learning activity share
11.15Break
11.30Anatomy of a teaching session
Planning a teaching session
12.40Lunch
13.20Flipped learning
13.50Multimedia design
14.30Homework set up and reflection
15.00Close

Day 4

10.00Evaluation and reflection
11.15Break
11.30Making and delivering an activity with educational technology
12.45Lunch
13.25Putting it into practice: Assignment workshop
14.15Final reflection, Next steps
15.00Farewell

Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators & Wellbeing teams

Community of Practice for for Activity Coordinators HELP Care Home Partners

Come and join us for our Community of Practice, a place to learn and grow together, developing new skills through evidenced-based education, equipping you in your practice to help improve the quality of the life of your residents.

We look forward to seeing you at St Christopher’s CARE soon!

If you would like to become a Care Home Learning Partner and benefit from places on other training as well as this community please email us at education@stchristophers.org.uk

Next session: Thursday 5th November 2 – 4pm

Welcome to our Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators and Wellbeing practitioners. In this Community you will have the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals whose roles are all about enhancing the quality of life of the residents you work with.

We will meet four times over the year and explore topics such as goal setting, supporting people with dementia and the importance of maximising physical and mental potential.

As a community you will be able to shape the topics we cover, and receive knowledge and support. There is plenty of opportunity for networking, sharing ideas and problem solving together.

What you will learn will be shaped by the community giving you the opportunity to tailor the learning to meet your needs but we anticipate exploring

  • How we can support residents to keep moving
  • How we can support people with dementia to participate in activities
  • How it feels and how we can support ourselves, residents and other staff members when a resident dies

Who is it for?

This community is for anyone working as an Activity Coordinator, Wellbeing Practitioner or similar roles within a care home or other setting.

Care Home Learning Partners are entitled to free educational care home initiatives run by St Christopher’s.

Find out more about becoming a Care Home Learning Partner

Lizzy Jenkins

Lizzy has been an Occupational Therapist at St Christopher’s since 2021, with experience working across the inpatient unit and outpatients. Lizzy also works one day a week as a learning facilitator in the Professional Learning team. She chose to specialise in oncology and palliative care 10 years ago and has worked in a specialist oncology hospital, as well as several hospices in that time. Lizzy is passionate about supporting people to live well until they die.
Read full profile Lizzy Jenkins

Dementia training days

As a health or social care professional supporting people at the end of life, do you feel confident and competent to support and care for people with advanced dementia and their carers?

Palliative Care for People with Advanced Dementia

As part of our learning programme here at St Christopher’s CARE to upskill clinicians and colleagues working in all settings to better understand and support the growing number of people with dementia at the end of life, we’ve created three training days looking at various topics associated with the end of life for people living with advanced dementia and their carers.

To meet the needs of people with busy working schedules and different areas of interest and expertise, this has been designed to be a flexible course – learners may complete all three days, any two, or just the one that most suits their needs.

What will I learn?

Thursday 21st January 2027 (virtual)

Communicating with people living with advanced dementia and their loved ones

  • Understand the different ways in which individuals with dementia communicate
  • Understand communication barriers and factors that can affect communication in a negative way
  • Be aware that non-verbal communication is an essential component of communication for people living with dementia

What will I learn?

Next date tbc

Common Symptoms in People Living with Advanced Dementia

  • Dementia: pathophysiology, aetiology and key symptoms
  • How to support people displaying distressed and adaptive behaviours
  • How to recognise and managing pain in people living with dementia
  • How to recognise delirium in people living with dementia
  • Discuss dementia case scenarios

What will I learn?

Next date tbc

Key palliative care issues relating to the people with advance dementia and their carers

This study day will highlight some of the important palliative care issues relating to people with advanced dementia and their loved ones. The goals of the day are to help learners:

  • Be more familiar with the signs and symptoms that dementia is progressing and of the last 6-12 months of life
  • Understand the importance of end-of-life planning to prevent crisis admissions to the hospital
  • Recognise and address ways in which dementia may impact on nutritional intake
  • Be more aware of how people with advanced dementia process and cope with grief and loss and how best to support them and their families talk about grief and loss
  • Understand that services can be developed to support people with advanced dementia stay at home for as long as possible
  • Know the stressors associated with caring for someone with dementia at the end of life

This course is pitched at an intermediate level and is suitable for nurses, doctors, social workers, occupational therapists, paramedics, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

Helen Scott

Helen is an Independent Nurse Lecturer specialising in palliative and end-of-life care and dementia. She is a Visiting Lecturer for St Christopher’s Hospice, London, and an Associate Trainer for Dementia…
Read More Helen Scott

Shafika Banoo

Shafika currently works at St Christopher’s Hospice as a clinical fellow in the IPU. Shafika previously worked in India as a consultant in the city of Chennai in India for…
Read More Shafika Banoo

Dr Monica Crugel

Dr Monica Crugel has more than 20 years’ experience in psychiatry and specialises in the care of older adults and people with dementia. She was a research fellow in a…
Read More Dr Monica Crugel

Dr Jemima Collins

Dr Jemima Collins is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Care of Older People at the University of Nottingham. Her research interests are in ageing populations with chronic pain. She…
Read More Dr Jemima Collins

Tracey Carter

Tracey Carter is an Registered Mental Nurse with over 35 years experience within the mental health arena, the last 15 years having been specifically within the Dementia Care field. Tracey…
Read More Tracey Carter

Maria Aparicio

Maria has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care with St Christopher’s Hospice in the Community team in 2018. For two years she joined the St Christopher’s Centre…
Read More Maria Aparicio

Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Mary is Director of Inclusion & Social Innovation at St Christopher’s where she is responsible for our community action, lived experience working and tackling inequalities work to create greater health…
Read More Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Annette Banks

Annette, Dementia Care Manager at HC-One, is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), who works in the care sector.  Her HC-One name badge says ‘Share a Smile’ because she says a…
Read More Annette Banks

Katy Jenks

Katy, Head of Specialist Services at HC-One, is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) and chose to work in the care sector because it is person-centred, and it has always been important…
Read More Katy Jenks

Isabelle Latham

Dr Isabelle Latham is Researcher-in-Residence for Hallmark Care Homes and honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester. Isabelle is the UK’s first…
Read More Isabelle Latham

Wilco Achterberg

Wilco is a professor in care for older persons, with research mainly based in nursing homes. He specifically focusses on pain in neurodegenerative diseases. Wilco is dedicated to improve clinical…
Read More Wilco Achterberg

Evolve: Interdisciplinary Palliative Care for the Future

Are you motivated to enable people to achieve what matters most to them as they approach the end of their life?

Do you aspire for your team to work in a more integrated and collaborative way?

Are you grappling with increasing demands and time pressures whilst striving to maintain a person-centred approach?

The Evolve Programme logo. The word evolve in handwritten font, with 'Palliative Care for the Future' underneath.

If so, we invite you to join a group of like-minded professionals on the EVOLVE Programme – a year long course of practice transformation that will support and empower you to implement the changes you wish to see.

The EVOLVE Programme is a highly evaluated, international course that challenges you to interrogate your current palliative care practice from fresh perspectives and to implement change at patient, team and service levels. The programme is values-based, driven by the underpinning goal of enabling people to live fully until they die and a conviction that the future of palliative care must be interdisciplinary – where professionals and teams work across boundaries to achieve their fullest potential and impact.

Through a proven formula that integrates evidence-based principles, critical reflection and discussion, strategic action planning and expert coaching from Consultant and Thought Leader, Rebecca Tiberini, the EVOLVE Programme offers you a unique opportunity to transform your own and your team’s practice to be person-centred, interdisciplinary and fit for the future.

The EVOLVE Programme is a year long course consisting of a one day in person Masterclass, a virtual day and three virtual coaching sessions. The programme design is solution-focused, highly interactive and underpinned by implementation science to enable you to implement new thinking into practice. The programme includes:

  • ‘Evolved Palliative Care for the Future’ – a future-orientated model underpinned by research and international policy on interdisciplinary and rehabilitative approaches.
  • Key concepts and practices: ‘What matters to you?’, person-centred goal setting, interdisciplinary vs multidisciplinary working, effective role blurring, needs-based leadership
  • Critical evaluation of your current practice and that of your team, organisation and partnership working – to identify your bright spots and areas for development
  • Creation and implementation of your own EVOLVE Project and Strategic Action Plan
  • Expert coaching and a supportive community of colleagues to help you make the change happen in practice.

This programme is facilitated in collaboration with St Christopher’s who will bring the concepts of The EVOLVE Programme to life through a range of interdisciplinary practice examples.

The EVOLVE Programme is an opportunity for professionals that are motivated to deliver the highest standard of person-centred care for people approaching the end of life through highly, effective team working.

The EVOLVE Programme is open to:

  • All disciplines including nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, social workers, psychologists, spiritual care workers, therapists, bereavement counsellors, team leaders and clinical managers.
  • All specialisms including palliative care, geriatrics, general practice, oncology, respiratory, neurology.

You may be a clinical nurse specialist or senior social worker, aspiring to support patients’ and families’ holistic needs but feeling increasingly time pressured and looking for a fresh new approach that enables you to be both person-centred and efficient.

You may be a clinical leader, palliative care consultant or inpatient manager, aspiring to lead your multidiscipinary team to be as effective and efficient as possible – in other words to work in an INTERdisciplinary way.

You may be a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian or speech and language therapist, aspiring to embed a team culture of rehabilitative palliative care that enables people to reach their personal goals and preserve autonomy up until the last moment.

You may be a senior leader, hospice or care home manager, aspiring to respond to the challenges of increasing demands on your service whilst striving to deliver quality, person-centred care and work effectively with partner services.

For each of these and many more the EVOLVE Programme is for you.

  • Day 1: Friday 5 February (in-person at Christopher’s CARE, SE26 6DZ)
  • Day 2: Friday 12 February (virtual via Zoom)

As part of The EVOLVE Programme, there will also be three online follow-up sessions:

  • Coaching session 1: Friday 5 March 2027, 9:30 – 11am
  • Coaching session 2: Friday 4 June 2027, 9:30 – 11am
  • Coaching session 3: Friday 8 October 2027, 9:30am – 12:30pm

The EVOLVE Programme covers;

  • Future challenges: aging populations, complex needs, disability and death
  • Contemporay solutions: evidence-based integrative approaches
  • Rehabilitative Palliative Care: principles, practices and cost effectiveness
  • What matters to you: the start of a culture shift
  • Interdisciplinary vs multidisciplinary working: the difference and why it matters
  • Specialist roles and shared roles: foundations for respect, value and collaboration
  • Needs-based leadership: harnessing the strengths of your team
  • Joint working: targeting efficiencies between teams, specialisms and partners
  • Motivations and frustrations: tapping into your personal drivers
  • Culture change: bringing your team culture into the spotlight
  • Strategic Action Planning: moving from concepts to implementation

Rebecca Tiberini

Rebecca Tiberini is an international consultant and coach and the founder of the EVOLVE Programme. Tired of constant discussions about the ‘problems’ facing palliative care teams, Rebecca created the EVOLVE…
Read More Rebecca Tiberini

Helena Talbot Rice

Helena joined St Christopher’s in June 2011 after thirteen years working clinically in the acute sector in the NHS. Prior to St Christopher’s, she worked in various large teaching hospitals…
Read More Helena Talbot Rice

“Collaborative and creative, truly interdisciplinary with ‘what matters most’ at its core.” – Therapy Lead

“It has allowed me to reflect on what improvements we need to make on both an organisational and a personal level to provide the highest level of care to our patients.” – Doctor

‘I really thought interdisciplinary was another word for multidisciplinary until I attended the course, have learnt so much.’ – Ward Manager

“Chance to take time out, reflect and learn and go back enthused and ready to lead change.” – Occupational Therapist

“A fantastic opportunity to learn as a team, to network, and to enhance understanding of interdisciplinary and rehabilliative palliative care.” – Nurse

“It wasn’t about coming up with something huge – it was about having the space to think.” – Physiotherapist

‘Energising, thought provoking and collaborative’ – Care Home Manager