Storytelling is a powerful way to grab someone’s attention because we are programmed to respond to a personal drama, rather than the bigger picture. We can use stories to highlight the need for change or investment and to spread great ideas and innovations; they can be pivotal in business decisions – and they can lead to life saving interventions.
Our EngageWell event on 10 March focused on storytelling. One of our speakers, Brian Wilkie, described how he has connected with thousands of people at risk of suicide, by sharing his own recovery on Twitter. A former drug, gambling and alcohol addict who tried to take his own life three years ago after the suicide of his son, Brian now dedicates his life to helping others at that same low point. People connect with him because of his Twitter storytelling @Bryz1.
The Innovation Agency’s Charlotte Hall, the curator of the TEDxNHS talks in 2019, shared her top tips and tricks. Charlotte was joined by one of the 2019 TEDxNHS speakers, Jen Gilroy-Cheetham, a health professional who became a critically ill patient and then resolved to tell her tale, to pass on important lessons to NHS colleagues.
We also explored how to tell stories in blogs, videos, podcasts and sketchnotes, to capture the reader, viewer or listener’s attention right from the start.
Presentations:
Events >
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MatNeo Safety Improvement Programme - Optimisation Collaborative Event Find out more
An interactive study day as part of our optimisation of the preterm infant week
NW Collaborative Masterclass: Co-production and Leadership in a Changing Landscape Find out more
Keeping the focus on co-production as we move to a model and digital approach to health and care
Health Innovation North 2026 Find out more
The third Health Innovation North Conference, where we will explore cutting-edge solutions that drive improvements in population health and foster economic growth.
Bionow BioIgnite 2026 Conference Find out more
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Through positive employee experience
Medilink Investment Pitching Competition 2026 Find out more
Medilink is delighted to invite you to enter its Investment Pitching Competition
Bionow BioCap 2026 Find out more
Connecting Investors and Innovators in Life Sciences
Red Rose Research and Innovation Conference Find out more
Join colleagues from across the NHS and academia in Lancashire and South Cumbria for an engaging day discussing hot topics in clinical and applied research and forge new partnerships and collaborations.