In this episode of Dying for a Cuppa, I get to sit down with not just a friend and colleague, but a fellow soul midwife, the wonderful Mandy Preece.
Mandy has written a truly beautiful and powerful book about the art — and skill — of listening. It’s something we all think we do, but this conversation really opens up how much deeper listening can go, especially when supporting people who are dying. We explore what it really means to listen, why it matters so much, and how improving our own self-awareness can completely change the way we show up for others.
Mandy brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and calm insight, and I honestly can’t recommend her book Being Rock highly enough. It’s available on Amazon, and it’s something I regularly reference within my own CPD Dying for a Cuppa Masterclass death education programme.
This conversation was an absolute joy — thoughtful, grounding, and deeply human. Mandy is an incredible woman, and I know this episode will land gently and powerfully for so many of you.
Mandy Preece is a communications trainer, motivational speaker and author. Mandy initiated a volunteer bedside companion scheme at a NHS palliative care unit in Dorset in 2013 and has helped other hospices and hospitals set up similar schemes.
What she learnt from the bedside transformed her understanding of what it means to listen. Her unique experiential communications training received the Princess Royal Training Award in 2017 and she is an Alumni member.
In 2019 Mandy was NHS Unsung Hero Volunteer of the Year. Her joy of receiving the Award was matched by being asked to be part of an NHS/Helpforce Steering Group on volunteering within the NHS and deliver a keynote at Expo 2019.
She now delivers inspiring talks and training to a huge variety of organisations: from the business sector to the NHS and national charities. Her pro bono work supports many smaller charities. Her book, Being Rock (which redefines listening), was published in 2020:
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