PurposePalliative care requires integration between services, organisations and the community. A series of community engagement programmes, named “Listening Events”, were conducted across the Isle of Man. The aim was to involve the community in the development of Hospice strategy by sharing their views on the future of palliative and end of life care.Design/methodology/approachThree Listening Event programmes were conducted in community settings, secondary schools and the Isle of Man’s University College. The investigators facilitated discussions on current knowledge of Hospice services, what would matter to people should they need to use these, and how Hospice could best serve the community in the future. Participants and investigators noted thoughts and comments. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsIn total, 899 people participated from across the community. Main themes surrounded effective care, person-centred care and integrated care. Most themes agreed across the three programmes, despite some nuances.Originality/valueThe results were used as an evidence base from which Hospice Isle of Man’s new strategy was derived in order to ensure that it aligned with the community’s needs. By initiating conversations and discussions in the community, the Listening Events may have also increased understanding about hospice care.

Once our new strategy was approved by the Board an extensive community engagement plan was put in place. This provided opportunities to promote our services at high profile events where we invited people with influence from many different backgrounds, asking for their ongoing support. Further community engagement included a wide ranging public awareness campaign. Conclusion Overall the involvement of our community in preparation and dissemination of our new strategy has proved very worthwhile. To ensure ongoing inclusion of our community in our plans a new hospice advisory group PATH (People Advising the Hospice) has been established.

displayed alerting patients and families. Patients were invited to participate by their key worker. Full explanation was given to participants, with consent obtained prior to filming. Patients without capacity were excluded but their relatives included. The Clinical Lead had increased visible presence during the 13 weeks filming across clinical areas ensuring equal access to patient stories. Results Some clinical staff were reticent, acting as gatekeepers, impacting on opportunities for patients and families, addressed by Clinical Lead's presence. A surprising number of families showed a willingness to talk at intense critical moments in their journey.Families have valued the lasting legacy this has provided.'If filming highlighted to others what services are provided I feel it has been of benefit' (Patient) Conclusions Patients and families value telling their stories and feeling heard. Barriers to participation of patient involvement have reduced as clinical awareness of therapeutic benefits has grown.

Preliminary findings revealed that young people possess limited knowledge about the Hospice identity and clients. When asked what would be most imported for them at Hospice, students commented on the environment and facilities, person-centred care, and effective care. Finally, the environment, facilities and expansion of Hospice IoM were the main areas of improvement suggested by young people. Conclusion: The preliminary results provide an insight into the views of young people towards Hospice IoM and palliative care. The workshops designed for UCM students offer opportunities for broader discussions surrounding attitudes towards death, dying, bereavement and Hospice. These findings will inform future Hospice strategies, and the engagement with youth may empower new relationships between Hospice and the Island's next generation.

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