If you’ve joined one of our My Future Care training sessions, then you’ve already met our fantastic lead trainer, Nancy Cunningham.
Originally from Canada and now living in South London, Nancy brings a wealth of experience to her role – from teaching and creative facilitation to supporting people with disabilities and leading culture change projects in care homes. A passionate advocate for people living with dementia and a firm believer in the power of open conversations, Nancy’s personal and professional experiences shape her warm, compassionate approach to future care planning.
As our lead trainer, Nancy delivers free online training to help groups, community organisations, and health and care providers support people to use the My Future Care Handbook as a guide to plan for the future. The training is practical, person-centred, and suitable for everyone – from experienced palliative care professionals to new volunteers who simply want to help others feel more prepared and confident.
The feedback on Nancy’s training speaks for itself:
“The training provided a useful understanding and introduction to the Handbook and enabled us to develop a framework for our workshops.” – Sage House, Tangmere
“The My Future Care Buddy training has been fundamental – it provided a catalyst for individuals to explore in a safe environment their own understanding of what Advance Care Planning is.” – Healing Harbour Charity
We caught up with Nancy to ask about her experience working with the My Future Care Handbook, and to gather some of her top tips for those supporting future care planning in their communities.
What are the most common barriers to sorting out our future care plans – and what practical tips help overcome them?
Nancy: Many people say, “It’s all a bit overwhelming – I don’t know where to start.” That’s completely normal. The key is to break things down into smaller, manageable parts. That’s exactly what the My Future Care Handbook is designed to help with – supporting people to navigate their priorities at their own pace.
Another common one is, “My family knows what I want.” But we often find that different family members have different views, which can lead to confusion or conflict. If it’s not documented, health professionals may end up making key decisions instead.
Some people say, “I’ll do it when I’m older,” or “I just don’t have time.” The truth is, we never know what tomorrow will bring. And while we all live busy lives, it’s about choosing to prioritise this – even in small steps.
And finally, there are those who say, “I don’t want to think about it.” This often stems from understandable fear or discomfort. But once the conversation begins, people usually feel a real sense of relief and reassurance.
Can you share a moment when using the My Future Care Handbook made a real difference to someone?
Nancy: I supported a woman I’ll call Maxine, whose sister had recently died in a car accident. She had done no future care planning, and it left her family with so much uncertainty. Maxine realised how important it was to get her own plans in place, but she didn’t know where to begin.
We worked through the Handbook together, talked about her priorities, and created an Action Plan. I supported her over a few Zoom sessions – just being there as a ‘friendly nag’, giving her the space and encouragement she needed.
Six months later, Maxine emailed me to say she’d been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She thanked me and the Handbook for helping her prepare and make her wishes known. “Life is funny that way,” she wrote. “Everything happens for a reason.” That message has always stayed with me.
For those new to future care planning, what are your top tips for starting conversations with confidence and compassion?
Nancy: First, take time to build a connection. Ask about someone’s life – their family, work, or what’s brought them to this point. Trust is key.
If they have the Handbook, a great place to start is page 12, which outlines different planning topics. That helps you get a feel for what matters most to them.
And finally, active listening is vital. Ask open questions, give people space to speak, and really hear what they’re saying. Reflecting back helps build understanding and shows that you’re walking alongside them, not leading the way.
Want to learn more?
Whether you’re a local charity, a social prescriber, a care provider, or anyone with a community support role, our training can help your team enable people to plan ahead with confidence. Thanks to our funding partners, this training is completely free to attend.
👉 View current training dates and learn more about the My Future Care Service
Or get in touch at info@mycarematters.org to discuss how we can support your organisation.
