Dr Elaine Kasket (Chartered and Registered Psychologist Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society) & James Norris (Founder of DeadSocial and The Digital Legacy Conference) speak address death and morning in today's digital world.

Last week our founder wrote an overview for Marie Curie. The article gives an overview about the work we carryout and provides information about how each of us can have an influence on our own digital legacy.

"According to a recent online survey, 62% of people consider being able to access a deceased friend or family member's social media accounts 'important' or 'very important'. James from DeadSocial tells us 'we can now plan for what we want to happen to our digital estate in a similar way to how we address our physical estate'."

To read the article in full click here

...A selection of digital legacy tutorials are relevant to the post above and may be of interest can be found below:

Preparing for death on social media sites

• DeadSocial's '5 steps to sort out your Digital Legacy' Guide (available in English and Welsh)
• Full Facebook Guide
• Full Twitter Guide 
• Full Instagram Guide
• Full Linkedin Guide
• Full Google+ Guide
• Websites & Blogs Guide

Downloading your media & data from social networks

• How to download your data from Facebook
• How to download your data from Twitter

*New tutorial: Securely storing your Last Will & Testament (and other important documents)

Unfortunately there is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution to social media. Each social media platform, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google or alike, has its own rules about deletion, deactivation, data downloading and memorialisation.... - Palliative Care Australia

Palliative Care Australia's Guide to a social media afterlife includes information about DeadSocial for the second year running. The Guide can be downloaded (PDF) by clicking here.

DeadSocial were recently featured on Ireland's Radio Station, RTE. The feature highlighted the different opinions and processes around what happens to our social networks when we die.

DeadSocial provide a range of free tutorials and tools to help address these increasingly complex requirements from society. To scan through our most popular tutorials  click here.

The Fair Funerals Pledge

Last week the Fair Funerals campaign was launched across the UK. 1 in 7 people in the UK now face funeral poverty. Furthermore the cost of dying has recently risen 7 times faster than the cost of living.  Some of the largest and smallest funeral directors have accepted the Fair Funeral pledge across the UK.

The pledge asks funeral directors to:

• Recognise funerals can be expensive and many people struggle with the cost.
• Make their most affordable funeral packages visible to the public, including third party costs
• Charge clear prices for goods and services so people know what they’re buying. Communicate prices in initial conversations and prominently display full price lists.
• Funeral directors can sign the Fair Funerals pledge by clicking here

DeadSocial fully supports this open and transparent campaign. There are a number of funeral directors who (for example) do not publish the costs of their services online. This can lead to inappropriate sale techniques and pass on unplanned for debts on the recently bereaved.

Why the Fair Funeral Campain was launched

• The Fair Funeral campaign was launched by Quaker Social Action, to help tackle funeral poverty.
• The average funeral in 2014 cost £3,163, up 80% in 10 years. The average price of a Funeral varies dramatically based on you postcode.

Map highlighting the average cost of funerals in 2014 broken down by geographical region

• State support (social fund payment) has been reduced by the current government. When requested and required it will only cover about 35% of total bill for those not in work.
• People in low paid jobs normally will not qualify for state support. Furthermore the decision will often takes weeks to approve.

The pledge asks Funeral Directors to:

• Recognise funerals can be expensive and many people struggle with the cost.
• Make their most affordable funeral package visible to the public, including third party costs.
• Charge clear prices for goods and services so people know what they’re buying. Communicate prices in initial conversations and prominently display full price lists.

Click on the button below to see if your local Funeral Directors have taken the Fair Funeral Pledge:

Before speaking to a funeral director or taking out a funeral plan make sure that they have signed up to the Fair Funerals pledge. You can find a full list of funeral directors who have signed up to the pledge by clicking on the button below.

What Heather Kennedy, Funeral Poverty Campaigner at Quaker Social Action thinks:

“No one should have to go through the distress of not being able to afford a decent send-off for someone they love. But the fact is because of the price of funerals and the lack of state support, funeral poverty is inevitable for a lot of people. 

In the absence of statutory legislation of the funeral industry, we need the kind of consumer scrutiny that already exists for the other big purchases we make in our life like houses and cars. This simply doesn’t exist for funerals. We can’t be expected to behave like shrewd consumers when we’re struggling with grief.

 - Heather Kennedy, Funeral Poverty Campaigner at Quaker Social Action

DeadSocial and the Fair Funeral Pledge

DeadSocial provide free and independent tutorials and digital end of life planning resources. These are mostly for the general public (although we do also help and support healthcare professionals).

We are not in anyway affiliated with the Fair Funeral pledge but are very aware of the often devastating cost of dying in the UK. We applaud the QSA on their campaigning and the impact it is having (thus far).

The Quaker Social Action's Fair Funerals campaign 

Quaker Social Action is an 150 year old east end anti-poverty project that delivers practical projects. The Fair Funeral campaign launched in 2014 to tackle the underlying causes of funeral poverty. They address this by:

• Educating people about their choices so they can avoid funeral poverty
• Influencing government to do more for people in funeral poverty
• Working with the funeral industry to do more for people in funeral poverty

More about the Quaker Social Action fair funeral pledge can be viewed by clicking here

Have you put any money aside for your funeral?

Most people of us have not put money aside for our funeral. It is a hard thing to both think about and to save up for. 

 Data attained from the Digital Death Survey 2014. For further resources addressing the cost of death, funerals and your money, click here

Can you afford to die? 10 ways to avoid financial problems paying for a funeral (by the QSA)

(Downloaded this image as a PDF here)

Funeral-technology tutorials that you may find of interest

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in funerals across the globe. You may find some of DeadSocial's funeral-tech tutorials below of interest.

• How to create a memorial video from photos using PowerPoint

• Using iTunes playlists to decide which songs should be played at the deceased's funeral

• How to display photos & videos at funerals

• Sending funeral invitations by email

• What 'Game of Thrones' can teach us about funeral planning

Other tutorials that you may find of interest

• Arranging a funeral for a loved one 

• Arrange your own funeral

• Money, financial checklist and financial support

• Preparing for death on social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc

• Securely storing your Last Will & Testament (and other important documents)

 DeadSocial have released a new resource to help the general public think about, address and start sorting out their digital legacy.

This is the first ever-physical leaflet (that we know of) that has been produced and circulated to address this increasingly important area. Five steps to sort out your Digital Legacy has been designed and printed ahead Dying Matters Awareness Week (18 - 24 May 2015.).

The material has been made available in both English and Welsh to help ensure the widest possible reach across the UK:

English Version

Download and share the flyer in English (PDF) by clicking here 

Welsh Version

Download and share the flyer in Welsh (PDF) by clicking here

Providing ‘Five steps to sort out your Digital Legacy today’ to the community you serve.

We welcome those working within a hospital, hospice, funeral or end of life sector to use and share this guide. There are three ways of doing so:

1. Download the flyer (PDF) in either English or Welsh and print it on your home or work printer. We do not mind you doing this (the more people who attain support from it the better). These can be printed as both flyers and informative posters.
2. Send us £50 (to cover costs) and we will print and deliver 100 high quality A5 flyers to the address stated. To do so get in touch.
3. Head over to one of the events below and pick up a bundle for free:

Events

• 18th May - Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015 Annual Debate (tickets not available)
• 20th May - Funeral Roadshow at St Christopher's Hospice, London (link)
• 21st May - Byw Nawr Launch Event, Science Hub, Welsh Assembly, Wales - (info)
• 22nd May - Byw Nawr Launch Event, Connah's Quay Health Centre Deesude Clwyd , Wales - (info)
• 23rd May - Digital Legacy Conference 2015 at UCL Partners, London (Free tickets here)

A big "thank you"

We would like to give a big "THANK YOU" to Joe Levenson, Matt Lloyd, Bethan Jones Parry, Mark Taubert, Vivienne Collins and Veronica Snow for your time and support.

About DeadSocial

DeadSocial have provided guidelines, tutorials and tools for the general public, healthcare professionals and those working within the end of life sector since 2012. Our best practice frameworks have been utilised by the general public and adopted across various sectors. If you would like to work with us or simply have a coffee get in touch.

About Dying Matters

Dying Matters aims to raise public awareness about the importance of talking openly about dying, death and bereavement and of making end of life wishes known. It is led by the National Council for Palliative Care.

You can 'Retweet' this resource using the widget below

You may also be interested in

• Our leaflet for GPs, doctors surgeries and primary care workers (click here)
• DeadSocial’s acitivity during Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015 (click here)
• Free tickets for the Digital Legacy Conference 2015 (click here)

DeadSocial are delighted and honoured to be invited to speak at two Byw Nawr's launch events in Wales. Byw Nawr has been created to promote a healthy and realistic attitude to death and dying in Wales. The message they want to convey to the public is to be prepared, plan for the inevitable, but above all to embrace life and live it well and to the full, with the knowledge that you have prepared as well as you can.

Byw Nawr (or 'Live Now' when translate into English) is the sister initiative to Dying Matters in England and is supported by the Welsh Government.

Byw Nawr – Start that Big Conversation:

21st May: Life Sciences Hub Wales 3, Assembly Square, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PL (5pm)

• Professor Mark Drakeford, Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Government
• Dr Hywel Francis, Chair, Byw Nawr
• Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff National Clinical Lead End of Life Care
• James Norris, Chief Executive, DeadSocial

• Bethan Jones Parry Byw Nawr Steering Committee
• Dr Peter Higson Chair Betsi Cadwaladr Heath Board
• James Norris, Chief Executive, DeadSocial

Both events are invitation only. If you live in Cardiff or North Wales get in touch and James (our CEO) will request that you are sent an invitation.  

About End of Life Planning in Wales...

You may be surprised to know that a Dying Matters coalition survey in 2014 found in Wales, we prepare less than other parts of the UK, with

• Only 29% of people say they have made a Will
• Only 28% have let someone know their funeral wishes
• Only 2% have written down their preferences regarding the care they would want
• Only 16% have talked to someone about the End of Life wishes

Dying Matters Awareness Week is rapidly approaching however here is still plenty of time to plan an event or register to attend one planned by others.

What is Dying Matters Awareness Week?

Dying Matters Awareness Week this year is from 18 - 24 May. Last year, our members hosted more than 500 events across England and Wales and we hope this year, with your help, the message will spread even wider. If you would like to run an awareness-raising event, the top tips and ideas in the following link will help. Dying Matters have also have a press release template you can use to promote your event to the local media. More information can be viewed here.

DeadSocial's 'Tweet Wall' & 'Before I Die... Graffiti wall' in our #YODO Pop-Up shop for Dying Matters Awareness Week 2014. The full list of 2014 pop-up events and collaborators can be viewed here

DeadSocial's Pop-Up Shop

Unfortunately we will not be running a Dying Matters #YODO pop-up shop again this year. The pop-up shop we commandeered for the last two years is no longer available as a temporary space for brands, businesses and charities.

What Will DeadSocial be doing this year for Dying Matters Awareness Week

However DeadSocial will be running and getting involved in a range of events and initiatives. We are also launching the first annual 'Digital Legacy Conference'. This will take place on Saturday at UCL Partners in London. 

• Monday 18th May - DeadSocial release a new resource to help the general public sort out their digital legacy in English & Welsh (Info & free download) 
  
• Tuesday 19th May - Digital Death Survey - Following on from last year's survey DeadSocial will run our annual survey starting on the 19th May (more information coming soon)
• Wednesday 20th May - Funeral Roadshow at St Christopher's Hospice, London (link)
• Thursday 21st May - Byw Nawr Launch Event, Science Hub, Welsh Assembly - (info)
• Friday 22nd May - Byw Nawr Launch Event, Connah's Quay Health Centre Deesude Clwyd , Wales - (info)
• Saturday 23rd May - Digital Legacy Conference 2015 at UCL Partners, London (Free tickets here)

Don't overlook digital legacy and digital end of life planning this year during Dying Matters Awareness week.

About the Funeral Roadshow

The funeral roadshow showcase a range of charities and not for profit organisations in St Christopher's Hospice. It is free to attend so come down if you can make it and say "hello". http://www.stchristophers.org.uk/news/funerals-roadshow-at-st-christophers

Byw Nawr Launch Event, Science Hub, Welsh Assembly

• Professor Mark Drakeford, Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Government
• Dr Hywel Francis, Chair, Byw Nawr
• Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff National Clinical Lead End of Life Care
• James Norris, Chief Executive, DeadSocial

http://deadsocial.org/blog/253-byw-nawr-launch-events

Byw Nawr Launch Event, Connah’s Quay Health Centre Fron Road Connah’s Quay Deeside Clwyd, Wales

• Bethan Jones Parry Byw Nawr Steering Committee
• Dr Peter Higson Chair Betsi Cadwaladr Heath Board
• James Norris, Chief Executive, DeadSocial

http://deadsocial.org/blog/253-byw-nawr-launch-events

About Dying Matters

Dying Matters aims to raise public awareness about the importance of talking openly about dying, death and bereavement and of making end of life wishes known. It is led by the National Council for Palliative Care. www.dyingmatters.org

About DeadSocial

DeadSocial an independent digital end of life planning resource for today's connected world. We provide tools and tutorials to help the general public and HCPs to plan their digital death. We also founded the Digital Legacy Conference and Adopt a Grave. www.DeadSocial.org 

About The Digital Legacy Conference

The Digital Legacy Conference is ran by DeadSocial will take place in London. It is free for all to attend however tickets need to be reserved in advanced. The conference will explore how the internet has changed the way in which we remember and grieve forever. It will also examine how our digital footprint will ultimately help determine both our legacy and our digital legacy when we die. www.digitallegacyconference.com

About UCL Partners

UCLPartners is an academic health science partnership which aims to translate cutting-edge research and innovation into measurable health and wealth gains for patients and populations. The partnership is made of over 40 higher education and NHS members, and a central team providing operational support and clinical academic leadership through a not-for-profit company. www.uclpartners.com

What to expect...

Video from a previous DeadSocial Dying Matters Awarenss Week Pop-Up shop can be viewed above.

You can view a range of Dying Matters Awareness Week events that are taking place in your local area by clicking here

We are proud to announce our latest offering, The Digital Legacy Conference 2015.

The 1^st Annual Digital Legacy Conference (#DigitalLegacyCon) will take place at University College London Partners (UCLP) on the 23^rd May 2015. It will bring together a range of academics and business professionals to help address areas relating to death and dying in today’s ever increasingly digitised world.

Confirmed speakers range from practicing experts in law and end of life care to technologists and published authors. 

The Digital Legacy Conference is one of the events happening as part of this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week. Dying Matters is a national coalition with a strong focus on people talking about dying, death, bereavement and making plans for their end of life. 

Tickets to the conference are free and can be attained from www.DigitalLegacyConference.com/free-tickets

⇝ Call for speakers

Seven speakers have already been confirmed for the conference. Two speaking slots remain available should further, suitable speakers come forward. Those interested in speaking at the conference should email get in touch

⇝ What the Digital Legacy Conference hopes to address

We are living through the greatest period of change since the industrial revolution. Our end of life wishes, the way we prepare for death, remember the deceased and grieve have recently changed beyond recognition. The Digital Legacy Conference will explore some of these recent, behavioural changes and the subsequent impact on society at large. The areas examined will include:

• The world ‘before the birth of Facebook’ (before Facebook/ BFB)
• Digital legacy
• Digital grief
• Utilising technology to deal with death
• Digital memory loss
• Death in today’s digital world
• Motor neurone disease (MND) communication and digital legacy
• Funeral streaming
• UK Laws around digital assets and digital legacy
• Preparing for our own digital death

The Digital Legacy Conference will be free to attend however prior booking is required. Tickets can now be attained from: http://DigitalLegacyConference.com/free-tickets

 ⇝ Press Release

Press and media can download the Digital Legacy Conference press release by clicking here.

⇝ About DeadSocial

DeadSocial is a social enterprise that addresses death in meaningful ways by harnessing the power of technology, communities, research and innovation. DeadSocial’s free ‘goodbye tool’ enables their users to create ‘goodbye messages’ consisting of videos, text and images. These are saved and only distributed to the user’s social media sites and their DeadSocial profile after death. In doing so, users are able to bring their digital lives to a managed ending.

www.DeadSocial.org

⇝ About Dying Matters

Dying Matters aims to raise public awareness about the importance of talking openly about dying, death and bereavement and of making end of life wishes known. It is led by the National Council for Palliative Care

www.dyingmatters.org

⇝ About UCL Partners

The venue for the conference has been provided by UCLPartners. UCLPartners is an academic health science partnership which aims to translate cutting-edge research and innovation into measureable health and wealth gains for patients and populations. The partnership is made of over 40 higher education and NHS members, and a central team providing operational support and clinical academic leadership through a not-for-profit company.  

www.uclpartners.com

⇝ About Leveton & Sons

Beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic will be served thanks to Leverton & Sons funeral directors. Levertons have served North London and the surrounding areas for over 220 years. During this time they have continually adapted to the changing requirements of the communities in the area. Levertons latest innovation is the award winning ‘Eco-Hearse‘. The Eco-Hearse is able to travel 85 miles on a single charge and suited for those wanting a green funeral or cremation.

www.Levertons.co.uk

*We have space for one more supporter. The 'Superhero Supporter' (if found) will help pay for the confernece to be filmed, edited and much more. If you are the superhero we are looking for visit the supporters page.

The Digital Legacy Conference on the World Wide Web...

• Website: www.DigitalLegacyConference.com
• Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/440286642806009/?fref=ts
• Twitter account: https://twitter.com/DigitalLegacyCo
  
• Free tickets page: http://digitallegacyconference.com/free-tickets
  

www.DigitalLegacyConference.com 

Share information about the Digital Legacy Confernece by clicking on one of the buttons below...

Below are some images from the new interface. It will be released at the end of May 2015. We have taken feedback from our wonderful community to make the experience even better than before. It will include the worlds first 'Digital Legacy Dashboard'....

We have kept all of the functionality (from DeadSocial version 1) and expanded it. The new interface also works like a dream on mobile and tablet devices :)

Before we kick things off in 2015....

 2014 has been an eventful year for DeadSocial with great highs and lows. Here is a quick recap from the social media grapevine.

January 2014

"I’ve signed up for DeadSocial, and I’ve chosen my first message from the other side: It’s just a matter of time for you guys, too. Better get your digital affairs in order." - Time to plan our online estates, The Boston Globe

• DeadSocial are featured in Lifehacker Japan 自分が死んだら、FacebookやTwitterのアカウントはどうなるのか http://www.lifehacker.jp/2014/01/140118deal_with_death.html 
• DeadSocial are featured on BBC Wales http://deadsocial.org/blog/106-bbc-wales 

February 2014

"DeadSocial helps Facebook and Twitter users prepare items to be posted at specific future dates and can help send (prepared) messages to loved ones, for example, on their birthdays well into the future" -  'Palliative Social Media', British Medical Journal

• In February we started to devise and plan the symbiotic 'LivInfographic' & 'Digital Death Survey 2014'.

 The image above is the concept design for the 'Liv-Infographic' and how the installation would later appear once built on Camden High Street, London.

March 2014

"Usted muere: ¿Qué pasa con su rastro en la web?"  - El espectador.coml espectador.com

• In March 2014 the World lost Lawrence Darani: http://www.deadsoci.al/blog/107-lawrence-darani 
• Work on the new DeadSocial.org website design begins

April 2014

• DeadSocial's Pop-Up shop for Dying Matters Awareness Week is announced http://deadsocial.org/blog/110-deadsocials-dying-matters-awareness-week-pop-up-shop-returns
• DeadSocial are featured in AVG's eBook 'dealing with digital death'  http://deadsocial.org/blog/109-digital-death 
• We announce the 'You Only Die Once' Art exhibition and call for entries
• DeadSocial are accepted into Google Developers 'Launchpad' Programme

May 2014 

"The social networking tool that enables you to say goodbye to your friends on Facebook and Twitter once you are dead" - eHospice

• DeadSocial worked at Google whilst attaining (incredible) support, encouragement and advice. http://www.deadsocial.org/blog/115-google-launchpad
• DeadSocial ran the 'The You Only Die Once Pop-Up Shop' for Dying Matters Awareness Week 2014. This ran for 5 days and nights. It featured a range of great charities, organisations and artists.  http://www.deadsocial.org/blog/113-dying-matters-popup 

DeadSocial's Pop-up Shop with Save the Make, supporting CLAM.

• We carried out the digital death survey alongside the Liv-INFOGRAPHIC' (the Living-Infographic) http://www.deadsocial.org/blog/116-livinfographic

June 2014

"Users can upload an unlimited number of photos, video, audio and text messages which will be sent out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the DeadSocial website after their death. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/07/web-immortality-social-media-sites-alive-die-digital?CMP=twt_gu 

• New copy and tutorials are written and made live at  http://deadsocial.org/resources 

August  2014

• DeadSocial.org is made live (under secure login) migration of old site to the new beings
• Wesite development continues http://deadsocial.org/blog/216-deadsocial-version-2-a-sneak-peak 
• DeadSocial announced as a finalist in the Good Funeral Awards http://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/2014/08/years-good-funeral-award-finalists 

September 2014

"DeadSoci.al looks to distribute your social media farewells – allowing you to create text, video and image rich content to be posted across Facebook and Twitter. These guys are proactive lobbyists in the death stakes, running very melancholic awareness workshops with snappy sadcore titles like "You Only Die Once", and hosting bizarre parties that people like Jordan from Rizzle Kicks DJ at. The question is: how much do you really give a shit about maintaining a social presence once you’re dead?" http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/how-to-prepare-for-your-digital-afterlife-joe-zadeh-212

• Call for selected industry leaders to contribute their expertise on the DeadSocial site.
• Bug testing the new site, fix issues as and when they appeared in testing cycle.
• We gave a seminar and exhibited at the wonderful and unique 'Ideal Death Show' Birmingham

October 2014

• DeadSocial's work is featured in 'Digital Death: Mortality and Beyond in the Online Age' publication http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Death-Mortality-Beyond-Online/dp/1440831327 
• We participated in London Month of the Dead http://deadsocial.org/blog/215-behold-london-month-of-the-dead 
• We spoke at the excellent Dying Matter Day of the Dead Conference 
  

November 2014

"Du kan leva vidare digitalt när du dött" - Sverige Radio

• We addressed digital death out digital legacy at Mindshares, Huddle (13th November) - Mindshare, London (full agenda)
• We got a little shout out on the Queen Latifah Show 

• We presented at Health 2.0 Europe and discussed death in relation to today's digital world. http://deadsocial.org/blog/217-deadsocial-helping-to-address-shhhh-topics-at-health-2-0-europe 
• We gave a virtual seminar at the 'Transition in Palliative Care' study day: http://deadsocial.org/blog/220-transition-in-palliative-care-study-day 
• We gave three workshops at the Macmillan Primary Care conference (with Dr Mark Taubert and Dr Johnny Browne - http://deadsocial.org/blog/222-macmillan-primary-care-conference. 

• A review from the workshops can be read here: http://blogs.bmj.com/spcare/2014/12/04/palliating-social-media-a-seminar-workshop-at-the-macmillan-professionals-conference-in-london

December 2014

"Ölümdən sonra həyat" - Publika (Azerbaijani, Video in Russian) http://publika.az/p/57522

• We announced 'Adopt a Grave', a new initiative with Brompton Cemetery http://deadsocial.org/features/our-initiatives/adopt-a-grave
• Downloading your media from Instagram using 'Instaport'. Legacy / End of life planning tutorial created in wake of 'Instagram Rapture’ update: http://deadsocial.org/resources/social-media-accounts/instagram 

In the year 2015 we will...

• Launch new and improved tools, features and tutorials.
• Improve the sites user experience.
• Expand our dedicated area for Healthcare professionals, funeral directors and carers wanting to learn more about digital death, digital legacy and digital end of life planning. http://deadsocial.org/resources/healthcare-professional-carers-area
• Evaluate 'Adopt a Grave' and discuss if the initiative merits expanding into other cemeteries.
• Run the first ever 'Digital Legacy Conference. Call for Papers & sponsorship opportunities can be found here: http://deadsocial.org/features/our-initiatives/digital-legacy-conference
• Continue to support those of us wanting to take responsibility for our own digital legacy and say "goodbye" in our unique way

*Please get in touch if you would like to collaborate, contribute or work with us in 2015 http://deadsocial.org/contact-us

Can we Palliate Social Media?

Over the next two days DeadSocial will be at Macmillan's annual Primary Care Conference. Our CEO, James Norris will be co-hosting three workshops with Dr Mark Taubert & Dr Johnny Browne over the two days. We will delve into, analyse and explore 'Can We Palliate Social Media'.

The seminar will explore how social media is changing the bebaviour of both the patient and those providing primary care. If you are attending please feel free to come along to the workshops.

Can we palliate social media? (Conference Support material)

Both the leaflet shown above and the presentation given will be available to attendees (digitally) by Macmillan in the coming weeks. 

Can we palliate social media? (workshop timetable)

• Thursday 27 November 1.30pm-2.30pm (with Dr Johnny Browne)
• Friday 28 November (with Dr Mark Taubert & Dr Johnny Browne) 9.45am-10.45am
• Friday 28 November (with Dr Mark Taubert & Dr Johnny Browne) 1.30pm-2.30pm

About the Macmillan Primary Care Conference

The two day conference for Macmillan's primary care community (including Macmillan GPs and a growing number of Practice Nurses) includes key sessions from a range of influential speakers, interactive workshops, delegate showcases and the opportunity for our primary care community to network and share ideas with colleagues from across the UK.

The theme of this year's conference is reflective of our developing work with Consultant Advisers with a focus on integrated working between primary and secondary care professionals. Many are identifying opportunities to work collaboratively in developing shared objectives across boundaries and services in order to provide the best outcome for people affected by cancer.

Venue location:

Hilton London Gatwick Airport, South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, RH6 0LL

Last call

If you are attending Macmillan's Primary Care conference feel free to come along to the 'Can We Palliate Social Media Workshop' on Friday 27th November between 9.45am-10.45am or 1.30pm-2.30pm.

Update (5th December 2014)

• Resources from the 'Can we Palliate Social Media' presentation will be available from Macmillan's Primary Care resource section soon.
• A writeup by Clifford Jone in the BMJ about the 'Can we Palliate Social Media' workshop can be read here.

Yesterday we contributed a short, 8 minute video to Transition in Palliative Care, Study Day. It was shown during Dr Mark Taubert's presentation (image from the event shown below).

DeadSocial's video contribution can be watched below

Topics/Speakers included

• Dr Amelia Stockley, SpR Palliative Medicine
• David Strudley, Chair of Transition Taskforce UK and CEO of Acorns Hospice - "Providing a service for young people with a life-limiting condition - a grass roots perspective"
• Dr Mark Taubert, Consultant in Palliative Care - "Young people with life-limiting conditions and social media"
• Aaron Pritchard, University of Bangor - "Research in transition: from policy to practice"
• Dr Julie Elphick, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Teenage Cancer Trust, University Hospital of Wales
• Amy-Claire Davies (patient) and David Strudley - Q&A Session

About the Transition in Palliative Care study days

This series of linked study days looks specifically at the issues around caring for young adults with life-limiting conditions and palliative care needs.  The study days were created as a result of recent research done as part of the Marie Curie Transition Programme in South Wales which identified the topics that need prioritising. The topics on each of the days broadly covered clinical, psychosocial and practical issues.

Each day was different and professionals chose to attend one or more, but the course was designed so that over the days all the major topic areas in this field were covered. The study days were open to therapists, social workers, doctors and nurses with an interest in caring for young adults.

Dr Lidstone, Consultant in Palliative Care for 16-25 year olds in Wales said:

"Medical advances have led to a great many more children with life limiting conditions surviving in adulthood, and adult services need to provide the right care for this growing population. These young adults are a very diverse group of people, with conditions often unfamiliar to adult teams and professionals need to build confidence. We want to up-skill teams, so that they feel competent and confident to take on the care of these young people". 

On November 6, 2014 Queen Latifah will be joined by Julie Chen and Aisha Tyler to discuss a range of cultural and ethical issues. One area discussed will be DeadSocial in relation to digital end of life planning and our digital legacy.

To find out what time it is going to be aired (USA only) click on the TV guide (by state) here

A link to the show can be found here as soon as it / clips become available we will let you know :)

Update: DeadSocial's little shoutout on the Queen Latifa Show can be watched below

SHHHH Topics.... Overcoming Addictions, Grief, and Stress (Moderated by Pascal Lardier - Health 2.0)

While we openly examine how diet, exercise, and disease impact our health, rarely are life factors such as care giving, depression and addiction factored into the formal conversation. In this session, explore how digital health tools help individuals manage how death, depression, caregiving, addiction, and stress impact the whole picture of their health.

Demos and discussion by

• Big White Wall - Jen Hyatt (United Kingdom)
• CareZapp - Andrew Macfarlane (Ireland)
• Paper - Rupert Tebb (United Kingdom)
• DeadSocial - James Norris (United Kingdom)
• MyDirectives - Jonathon Carr-Brown (United Kingdom)
• Newolo - Philippe Santraine (Finland)

 About Health 2.0

The 4th annual Health 2.0 Europe was a great success with over 475 delegates, 80 speakers, 50 live demos, 30 journalists, plus an exciting pre-conference session on Health 2.0 tools for the Elderly, a workshop for investors interested in digital health, and another one exploring the specificities of the Central and Eastern European market. More importantly, we had an amazing time showcasing the latest in health technology, taking part in thought-provoking discussions and witnessing a high level of networking coming together at the event.

We loved London and your feedback shows you did too: the city’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic investment community is the perfect place to take your Health 2.0 initiatives to the next level. We will be back in 2014 for another new exciting edition at the Mermaid Conference Centre. 

• More information about Health 2.0 Conference and the full speaker lineup can be viewed here
• DeadSocial users and friends can receive a discount by contacting us