The Isle of Wight High Sheriff, Nigel Hartley MBE, is encouraging Islanders to start important conversations about death, dying and bereavement as part of Dying Matters Week 2026.
The annual awareness week, running from 4th-10th May, aims to create a more open culture around end-of-life planning and support people to feel more comfortable discussing difficult topics.
As part of the initiative, the High Sheriff has launched the ‘My Life. My Death. My Plan.’ campaign in partnership with Mountbatten Isle of Wight and a number of local organisations.
Islanders are being encouraged to sign up for regular emails offering expert advice, guidance and invitations to events focused on practical end-of-life planning – including making a Will, discussing future wishes and managing digital legacies.
Nigel Hartley has said:
“Thank you for signing up to the High Sheriff’s Campaign with Mountbatten My Life. My Death. My Plan.
“This campaign provides an important opportunity for us to work together across our Island community, to positively impact not only ourselves and families, but to support those services who will support us at the end of our lives, by planning well in advance.
“The first and most important step is to sign up to the campaign. We can then begin to share tools and processes to support you with your own planning process.
Article continues below this advertisement “I am grateful to all the partner organisations who are getting behind this, and to the individuals who are taking the important step to sign up to the campaign.”
The campaign is also looking for volunteers willing to become community champions and help lead conversations about end-of-life planning across the Isle of Wight.
An information event for prospective champions is due to take place at 10:00 on Saturday 16th May at the John Cheverton Centre at Mountbatten Isle of Wight. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP via email to [email protected].
Becky McGregor, CEO of Mountbatten Isle of Wight, has said:
“Every day, we see first-hand how proper planning helps makes one of the most challenging times of our lives easier to cope with.
“Meanwhile, failing to have conversations — however difficult — or to not think about your Will or digital legacy can lead to uncertainty for loved-ones.
“We fully support The High Sheriff’s campaign. It is key to Mountbatten’s vision and values and anything to make planning for death easier is worth a few moments of your time right now.”
Lizzie Martin, from Carers Isle of Wight, added:
“Carers IW, which supports unpaid carers, supports the High Sheriff Campaign, My Life. My Death. My Plan., because every life deserves a plan — supporting all ages to talk about death and dying.”
Maria Bunce, Chief Officer at Age UK Isle of Wight, has also backed the campaign.
She said:
“This campaign closely aligns with our commitment to empower people to have informed and meaningful conversations about their lives, wishes and future care, promoting dignity, choice and confidence in planning ahead.
“By supporting this campaign, Age UK IW recognises the importance of raising awareness around end of life planning and helping individuals and families feel more comfortable discussing these vital issues.
“We welcome the opportunity to work alongside the High Sheriff to promote understanding and compassion across the Island.”
Islanders can find out more or sign up to the campaign by visiting www.mountbatten.org.uk/highsheriffcampaign.
Sounds like a caring guy NOT!
People want to live and enjoy life, they don’t want to plan their final days early, strange ones might, the same ones who are wanting
assisted dying.
Talk about Doom and Gloom, bit like many NHS employees
thesedays, caring is not their priority.
So sad!