Photo of Mandy Preece

I am a soul midwife (holistic end of life companion), motivational speaker and skills tutor. In 2013, I initiated the volunteer bedside companion scheme at Macmillan Caring Locally (a NHS palliative care unit in Christchurch Hospital, Dorset). Volunteers receive my specific volunteer training and mentoring so they can support people at the end of life or sit with someone who is dying alone. In 2017 my training was awarded the Princess Royal Training Award.

I also instigated a televised one-day event in Bournemouth to raise awareness on end of life care called Dying to Know.

I now deliver numerous talks and training to the public, medical staff and volunteers working at the end of life. I also regularly speak on BBC Radio Solent.

My new passion is the importance of listening, so people feel truly feel heard. I am now taking my listening training into the wider community under the name Being Rock.

In 2017 I became an Ambassador for Macmillan Caring Locally.