146. Leon Ancliffe. Can virtual reality improve our death?.

Today we have two conversations about death. Leon is a creative film maker who has worked with the NHS and others to highlight the importance of talking about death before it is too late. Mike Grenville, the other conversation, explains what it is to be a death doula.

Originally from the North of England, Leon started his career as an actor and dancer. Building on his experience in creative media, including freelancing as a cinematographer for the BBC, and directing numerous healthcare related projects for the NHS and charity sector, he founded Flix Films in 2009. His aim was to create a production company that reflected his desire to influence positive change across diverse sectors and topics, benefiting people across the UK and beyond.

Leon’s enthusiasm for driving innovation inspired him to set up Flix VR, with the aim to pioneer the use of Virtual Reality in healthcare, and raise the profile of utilising VR experiences to enhance palliative and end-of-life care. In 2017 he partnered with Royal Trinity Hospice in London to conduct an ethically approved study to explore the potential of virtual reality as therapy for people at the end of life.  Today Flix VR is at the cutting edge of 360° Virtual Reality (VR) content development; ranging from person led VR tours of specialist healthcare environments to producing VR simulations to improve training outcomes across the public sector. 

Since setting up Flix VR Leon has been a Keynote Speaker at the Global Nursing Management and Innovation Forum in Rome, the GIANT Heath Event, Pharma MCM Meetup, the APM Supportive and Palliative Care Conference and the MND Association Annual Conference.

“Exploring how immersive technology can benefit individuals and communities is an absolute privilege, but increasing the understanding and utilisation of Virtual Reality and have a real impact in the health and public sectors is what drives me” 

Twitter - @FlixFilmsUK
Websites – www.flixvr.com - www.flixfilms.com