Colleagues of a Bevan Exemplar who passed away aged just 48 have described the ‘lasting legacy' of her work to reduce loneliness and boost wellbeing with virtual reality (VR).
Michelle Copeman, who died from lung cancer earlier this year, was part of the Bevan Commission's Bevan Exemplar Programme with Sarah Beauclerk. Together they launched Connecting Realities to help people traditionally disconnected from technology to connect with others and access services – with Sarah describing Michelle as the ‘driving force' behind its success.
Michelle, who was then a project manager with Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Sarah, director of community interest company Vere Experiences, came together in 2022 to develop Connecting Realities in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council and VR Inclusive Mental Health Interventions. This was the closely associated fellow Bevan Exemplar project developed in collaboration with Katherine Lewis and the Pembrokeshire Older Adult Community Mental Health Team.
The Bevan Exemplar Programme supports health and care professionals across Wales to translate innovative ideas into practice, providing training and mentoring to enable projects to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Sarah said:
“The project's success is because of Michelle. I had the concept, but it didn't have legs until she was involved. She told us about the Bevan Exemplar Programme, and from there, everything came together. No one else has ever had such an impact on anything I've done professionally as Michelle, as she laid the foundation, including establishing funding routes, to allow our activity to develop from 2021 to where we are now.
“Although she moved departments quite early on, she maintained an interest and enthusiasm for Connecting Realities, even offering to test experiences two days before she died. Our project is only one example of many she made happen. In a world where it can be easy to feel powerless in the face of complex and challenging systems, Michelle's enduring legacy shows what a positive difference one passionate and determined individual can make.”
Jess Svetz, Michelle's line manager and close friend, said:
“Michelle's ability to bring people together, manage complexity and maintain focus on outcomes for patients and communities has left a lasting imprint on how services are designed and delivered locally.
“During her time in Pembrokeshire, she played a significant role in shaping how partners work together, particularly in community-based and intermediate care models. She had a deep understanding of legislation and policy and translated this into practical operational changes across the system.
“Michelle also played a key role in designing and delivering transformation programmes aligned to ‘A Healthier West Wales', acting as a bridge between local delivery and regional strategy and ensuring Pembrokeshire's voice was represented.”
Michelle, who was a non-smoker, lived in Pembroke Dock with her partner Tom and their adult children Amber and Jasper, who have consented to her story being shared.
Jess added:
“Michelle was such a special person who put everyone before herself, even when she was unwell. She had such an impact on everyone's lives and we want to show how important she was.”
Connecting Realities and the VR Inclusive Mental Health Interventions project paved the way for Ffynhonnell-Wellspring, an immersive platform for women's health and wellbeing co-ordinated by Vere Experiences in collaboration with partners across Pembrokeshire.
The Bevan Commission is Wales' leading independent health and care think tank. It works with health and care professionals, patients and service users, industry, academia and the third sector to challenge, change and champion thinking and practice in health and care.
