Publish date: 3 August 2026
Families facing a cancer diagnosis in Tameside and Glossop are set to benefit from a groundbreaking new programme designed to preserve precious memories, capture loved ones' voices and strengthen family connections during some of life's most difficult moments.
Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity has become the first NHS charity and NHS trust in the country to partner with Featherbed Tales, bringing its unique digital storytelling platform to patients receiving care through the Trust's Cancer Services.
Founded by author and storyteller Caroline M England, Featherbed Tales creates personalised digital talking photo books that combine photographs, messages, videos and recorded voices. For many patients, particularly those receiving palliative care, the books offer an opportunity to leave behind treasured memories, stories and messages for loved ones to revisit for years to come.
The idea was born from Caroline's own experience of loss. After a close friend died, leaving behind a young son, she saw first-hand how a voice recording became a treasured way for him to maintain a connection with his mother. Combined with her own experience of hearing an old friend's voice instantly bring back decades of memories, it sparked the idea that would eventually become Featherbed Tales.
Through the new partnership, cancer patients and their families will be able to create their own personalised books, capturing family stories, favourite memories, messages of love and even the familiar sound of a loved one's voice.
Steph Gooder, Lead Cancer Nurse at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said the programme would provide families with a meaningful way to stay connected throughout their cancer journey.
"Cancer changes lives in an instant and its impact reaches far beyond the person receiving treatment. We know that many patients worry about their loved ones and how they will cope. Featherbed Tales offers families an opportunity to capture precious moments, conversations and memories together. For some, it may be a way of preserving a voice or sharing messages that can be treasured in the future. It is a beautiful and compassionate resource and we're incredibly proud that patients in Tameside and Glossop will be the first in the country to benefit from it through an NHS trust."
The programme will also be used by healthcare teams to create personalised resources that help patients understand treatments, prepare for appointments and reduce anxiety during their care.
Emily Whelan, Charity Manager at Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, said supporting projects that make a lasting difference to patients and families sits at the heart of the charity's mission.
"When we first heard about Featherbed Tales, we were moved by its simplicity and impact. The ability to capture somebody's voice, their stories, their laughter and the things they want their family to remember is incredibly powerful. While we hope it brings comfort throughout treatment, we also recognise that for some families these recordings and memories may become treasured keepsakes in the years to come. As the first NHS charity and trust in the country to introduce this programme, we're incredibly proud to be leading the way and bringing something truly special to local families."
Caroline M England, Founder of Featherbed Tales, added "We are absolutely over the moon to be working with the wonderful team at Tameside and Glossop. This partnership means so much to us, not only because it is our first NHS hospital partnership, but because it allows us to support families at a time when connection, comfort and memory-making matter most. Every family story is unique and every voice is precious. We hope Featherbed Tales helps families create something meaningful that can be treasured both now and in the future."
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to compassionate, person-centred care, ensuring that alongside clinical treatment, patients and families are supported emotionally and given opportunities to create lasting memories together.
