New Partnership will help people living with life-limiting conditions live well until the end of life

The Open University is partnering with Compassionate Communities Northern Ireland to develop an innovative wellbeing toolkit that will support people living with life-limiting conditions, helping them maintain their independence, improve their wellbeing and stay connected to their communities.

Supported through the University’s Knowledge Transfer Voucher (KTV) scheme, the project will adapt The Open University’s evidence-based Take Five to Age Well model for use in palliative and end-of-life care.

The collaboration brings together researchers from The Open University with Compassionate Communities NI, practitioners and people with lived experience to co-design a practical toolkit that reflects the realities of living with advanced illness.

The project is led by Dr Sinéad Eccles from the School of Psychology, alongside Dr Jitka Vsecteckova and Dr Kerry Jones from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.

Supporting wellbeing beyond clinical care

While high-quality clinical care remains at the heart of palliative care, everyday wellbeing is shaped by much more then the medical treatment alone. Conversations, relationships, routines and connections within local communities all play an important role in helping people live as well as possible.

The new toolkit will adapt The Open University’s Take Five to Age Well model, built around the five principles of Eat, Drink, Move, Connect and Think, for people living with advanced cancer, dementia, neurological conditions, organ disease and frailty.

Working directly with people who will use this resource will ensure it reflects the realities of reduced energy, changing mobility and cognitive challenges while remaining practical, accessible and relevant to everyday life.

Dr Sinéad Eccles said:

“People living with life-limiting conditions often want practical ways to maintain their wellbeing, independence and quality of life, but many existing resources are designed for the general population or focus primarily on clinical care.

“By working alongside people with lived experience, practitioners and community organisations, we’re ensuring this toolkit is grounded in both research and real life. Our aim is to create something that genuinely helps people live well for as long as possible.”

Turning research into real-world impact

As demand for palliative and end-of-life care continues to grow, community organisations are looking for practical, evidence-based approaches that can be delivered consistently and at scale.

The Open University brings internationally recognised expertise in behaviour change, healthy aging, implementation science and evaluation, while Compassionate Communities NI contributes deep community knowledge, established local networks and the lived experiences of people facing serious illness and bereavement.

Rather than simply adapting existing resources, the partnership is co-designing a toolkit with those who will use it, ensuring academic research is translated into practical support that can make a real difference in communities across Northern Ireland.

The project also demonstrates the power of genuine knowledge exchange, where learning flows in both directions. The University contributes research expertise and evidence-based approaches, while community partners provide local insight, practical experience and a deep understanding of the needs of the people they support.

Building healthier, more compassionate communities

The toolkit will be piloted through existing Compassionate Communities NI networks, including partnerships with organisations such as Libraries NI, helping it reach communities that may otherwise have limited access to wellbeing support.

Alongside supporting individuals living with life-limiting conditions., the project aims to strengthen support for unpaid careers, build community capacity and provide organisation with practical resources that can be adopted more widely.

The partnership also lays the foundations for future research, evaluation and investment, creating opportunities to expand the programme across Northern Ireland and beyond while generating evidence to inform policy and future service delivery.

Donall Henderson, Chief Executive of Foyle Hospice, said:

“This partnership combines the strengths of academic research with the experience and insight of local communities. By working together, we’re creating a resource that is both evidence-based and shaped by the people who will benefit from it.”

“Ultimately, our ambition is to help more people live well until the end of life while strengthening the support available within communities across Northern Ireland.”

The project began in August 2026 and will run for 12 months and forms part of The Open University’s wider commitment to translating research into practical solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities and create lasting societal impact.