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As a volunteer supporting individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families, engaging in meaningful conversations is at the heart of what you do. Sometimes, these discussions can feel daunting, especially when initiating contact with someone new, broaching topics like advance care planning, or when navigating your way around a tricky social dynamic. The good news is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a unique and safe space to practice these vital interactions.

Using an AI tool for role-play can feel remarkably like a real conversation, helping you build confidence without the pressure of a live scenario. It’s a fantastic way to hone your skills before you meet with the people you support.

If you’d like to give it a try, here are a few suggestions to use with most free AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini AI Studio, CoPilot, PerplexityAI):

1. Define Your Practice Scenario:

Be specific about what you want to achieve. You could try:

• “I’m a volunteer. Can you be a family carer I’ve just met whose partner has a life-limiting illness? I want to practice initiating the conversation, building rapport, and showing empathy. Please exhibit some signs of tiredness and concern.”
• “I’m a volunteer speaking with someone I’ve supported for a few weeks. Can you be that person? I’d like to gently explore their thoughts on advance care planning.”

2. Choose Your Mode: Text or Voice:

Typing allows you more time to craft your responses, while voice mode offers a more dynamic, real-time practice experience. Select whichever feels most comfortable for you.

3. End the Conversation Naturally:

When you’ve practiced what you intended, you can type or say, “End conversation,” or conclude with a natural closing remark like, “Thank you for talking with me today. I appreciate you sharing.”

4. Request Specific Feedback:

This is where the real learning happens. Ask questions like:

• “Can you give me feedback on how I initiated the conversation and built rapport?”
• “How did I handle the topic of advance care planning? Was my approach sensitive?”
• “Were there any social cues you were portraying that I missed or could have responded to differently?”
• “How could I have shown more empathy?”

Conversation topics can be incredibly varied and depend heavily on the individual being supported and the stage of their illness. Below is a list of common and important topics that volunteers may come across as they provide support to their clients or their family and carers. You can use this list to help create practice scenarios. Here are four practice scenarios to help get you started:

Practice Scenarios

Practice Scenario 1: Addressing Unspoken Worries or Low Mood

• Focus: Emotional & Psychological Support (for the person with the illness), Psycho-social cues.

• Background: Sometimes a person might seem withdrawn, quieter than usual, or hint at unspoken concerns without directly stating them. This scenario helps volunteers practice gently exploring these cues.

• Suggested AI Prompt:
  “I’m a volunteer. Can you be Mr. Evans, a gentleman I visit weekly who has a heart condition? Lately, he’s been much quieter and seems a bit down, though he says he’s ‘fine.’ I want to practice acknowledging this change sensitively, creating a safe space for him to share if he wants to, without being intrusive. Can you portray him as initially a bit withdrawn but perhaps willing to open up if I approach it with genuine care?”

• Example Feedback Prompts for the Volunteer to Ask AI:

  • “How did my approach to his quietness come across? Was it gentle enough?”

  • “Did I give him enough space to share, or did I push too hard/not enough?”

  • “Were there any subtle cues you (as Mr. Evans) were giving that I could have picked up on or responded to differently?”

  • “How effective was I at showing empathy for his potential unspoken feelings?”

Practice Scenario 2: Supporting a Carer Feeling Overwhelmed

• Focus: Carer Well-being & Coping, Practical Challenges of Caring.

• Background: Carers often put their own needs last and may be hesitant to admit they are struggling. This scenario helps volunteers practice acknowledging the carer’s vital role and gently opening a door for them to talk about their own challenges.

• Suggested AI Prompt:
  “I’m a volunteer. Can you be Sarah, who is the main carer for her mother who has advanced dementia? I’ve noticed Sarah seems very tired and a bit stressed during my visits, though she always focuses on her mother. I want to practice acknowledging her efforts and gently asking how she is coping, and if there’s anything that might support her. Please make her initially deflect by talking about her mother, but show signs she might be open to talking about her own struggles if I’m persistent but kind.”

• Example Feedback Prompts for the Volunteer to Ask AI:

  • “How well did I acknowledge Sarah’s role and efforts as a carer?”

  • “Was my attempt to shift the focus to her well-being appropriate, or did it feel intrusive?”

  • “Did I sound genuine in my concern for her, not just her mother?”

  • “If Sarah did express some difficulties, how well did I listen and validate her feelings without trying to ‘fix’ things beyond my role (e.g., offering practical help rather than emotional support/signposting)?”

  • “Were there any missed opportunities to encourage her to talk about her own needs?”

Practice Scenario 3: Exploring Meaning and Life Reflections

• Focus: Meaning, Purpose & Legacy (for the person with the illness), Active Listening.

• Background: Sometimes individuals reflect on their life’s journey, their experiences, and what has been important to them. These aren’t always sad conversations; they can be filled with pride, joy, or simply a need to share. This scenario is about being a receptive and encouraging listener.

• Suggested AI Prompt:
  “I’m a volunteer. Can you be Mrs. Patel, an elderly lady I visit who has a progressive lung condition? She sometimes starts telling stories about her younger days or her family, and I want to practice being a good listener, encouraging her to share more, and helping her feel that her stories and reflections are valued. Please have her initiate a memory or a reflection, and I will try to respond in a way that encourages her to continue.”

• Example Feedback Prompts for the Volunteer to Ask AI:

  • “Did my responses encourage Mrs. Patel to share more, or did they inadvertently shut down the conversation?”

  • “What specific phrases or questions did I use that were effective (or ineffective) in showing I was listening and interested?”

  • “Did I allow enough comfortable silence for her to gather her thoughts?”

  • “How well did I convey that her memories and reflections are important and valued?”

  • “Were there any points where I could have gently prompted further reflection without being leading?”

Practice Scenario 4: Gently Addressing a Noticed Change or Practical Difficulty

• Focus: Practical Concerns & Independence (for the person with the illness), Observing and Responding to Change, Gentle Communication.

• Background: Volunteers may notice subtle changes or emerging practical difficulties that the person they support might not mention, perhaps due to pride or not wanting to be a burden. This scenario is about broaching such an observation with sensitivity and respect for their autonomy.

• Suggested AI Prompt:
  “I’m a volunteer. Can you be John, a man I support who lives alone and has mobility issues due to arthritis? On my last couple of visits, I’ve noticed his home is a bit more untidy than usual, and he seemed to struggle a little more getting his cup of tea. I want to practice gently and respectfully mentioning my observation, expressing care, and seeing if he’s open to talking about it or if there’s any support he might consider, without making him feel incapable or like I’m criticising. Please make him initially a bit defensive or dismissive.”

• Example Feedback Prompts for the Volunteer to Ask AI:

  • “How did my way of bringing up the observation come across? Was it too direct, too vague, or just right?”

  • “Did my tone and language convey care and concern, rather than judgment?”

  • “How effective was I at navigating his initial defensiveness?”

  • “Did I respect his autonomy while still trying to open a conversation about potential support?”

  • “What could I have said or done differently if he remained completely closed to discussing it?”

Conversation Topics to Consider

Focusing on the Person Living with the Illness:

1. Daily Well-being & Comfort:

• “How are you feeling today, really?” (Going beyond a polite “fine”)
• Physical symptoms: Pain, fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, appetite (listening to their experience, not offering medical advice).
• Sleep patterns and rest.
• What makes them feel comfortable or brings a little ease.

2. Emotional & Psychological Support:

• Worries, fears, and anxieties (about the illness, future, family, etc.).
• Feelings of sadness, frustration, anger, or hopelessness.
• Coping mechanisms and what helps them manage difficult emotions.
• Sources of joy, hope, and things they still look forward to.
• Loneliness or social isolation.

3. Meaning, Purpose & Legacy:

• Reflections on their life, achievements, and relationships.
• What’s important to them right now.
• Sharing stories and memories.
• Concerns about leaving things unsaid or undone.

4. Practical Concerns & Independence:

• Impact of the illness on daily activities and independence.
• Small practical helps they might need (within volunteer boundaries).
• Navigating appointments or understanding information.

5. Advance Care Planning & Future Wishes (often sensitive and person-led):

• Their understanding of their illness and what the future might hold (listening to their perspective).
• What matters most to them regarding future care and decisions.
• Their values and preferences if they were unable to speak for themselves.
• Who they would want to make decisions for them. (Volunteers mostly listen and support here, perhaps helping them think through who to talk to officially, like family or healthcare professionals).

Focusing on Family Members & Carers:

1. Their Own Well-being & Coping:

• How they are coping with the situation.
• Feelings of stress, overwhelm, guilt, or anticipatory grief.
• Their own physical and emotional health.
• Need for respite or a break.

2. Practical Challenges of Caring:

• Difficulties in providing care.
• Balancing care-giving with other responsibilities (work, family).
• Information needs (offering appropriate resources).

3. Communication & Relationships:

• Challenges in communicating with the person who is ill or other family members.
• Changes in family dynamics.
• Concerns about the future and how they will manage.

General Conversation Starters / Ongoing Topics:

1. Hobbies, Interests & “Normal Life”:

• Talking about things unrelated to the illness such as past hobbies, current interests (TV, books, news, sports, garden).
• Their family, friends, pets.

2. Building Rapport & Trust:

• Simply being present, listening actively, and showing empathy.
• Asking open-ended questions.
• Validating their feelings and experiences.

Important Considerations for Volunteers

• Active Listening: This is the most crucial skill.
• Person-Centred Approach: Let the individual lead the conversation.
• Boundaries: Knowing what is and isn’t appropriate for a volunteer to discuss or do (e.g., not giving medical advice, not taking on counselling roles beyond their training).
• Confidentiality: Respecting privacy.
• Self-Care: These conversations can be emotionally demanding for volunteers too.

Using AI, volunteers can practice initiating these topics, exploring different ways to phrase questions, responding empathetically, and navigating the potential emotional responses that might arise. Navigating conversations and introducing topics will become easier with practice.

Not sure where to begin? AI makes it easy. Copy this entire article into your AI platform of choice, ask it to come up with more practice scenarios for you like the examples here, and initiate practicing a conversation.