WELCOME TO EXTRAORDINARY LIVES.
Few things are more meaningful and precious than hearing a loved one share stories about their life, passions, and the moments that brought them joy, pride, and fulfilment. For their family and friends, it can be an incredibly emotional and profoundly moving experience.
Our Ordinary People Are Extraordinary Recorded Conversations offer a unique gift for a loved one or close friend. It provides the opportunity for them to share their life story – adventures, joys, triumphs and challenges. This special recording becomes a cherished keepsake, preserving their story for generations to come.
We are delighted to introduce an eye-catching range of merchandise to support our project. This collection features unique designs inspired by the themes of family trees, the Tree of Life, storytelling and legacies. We are indebted to Peter Redden and PJR Creative for bringing our vision to life in stunning formats.
About Us.
‘Ordinary People Are Extraordinary’
Recorded Conversations
This project was created by Neil Campbell and Gloria Ferguson, who collaborate through The End Matters CIC, a social enterprise business, which specialises in end-of-life planning, end-of-life care, grief awareness, legacy creation and end of life companioning.
They saw Ordinary People Are Extraordinary as a natural extension of their work – offering individuals and families a unique way to create lasting legacies for future generations.
Neil and Gloria are deeply passionate about the power of storytelling – particularly within families – and the profound way legacies show the impact we have on the world and the people we meet along the way.
At the heart of every legacy is a life story – a unique narrative shaped by personal experiences, hopes, disappointments and dreams.
Ordinary People Are Extraordinary offers a meaningful opportunity for the person to shape how they want to be remembered, while allowing for family beliefs, values and qualities to be carried forward into the hearts and minds of the next generation.
For the individual sharing their story, the experience itself can be both transformative and therapeutic, offering the chance to reflect on and come to terms with their own achievements and challenges.
The scope of Ordinary People Are Extraordinary includes the following:
- Family member or close friend
- Couples celebrating a special anniversary
- Marking a retirement
- New parents wanting to record their hopes and dreams for their child
- Part of end-of-life reflections
Home
Our Team.
Neil Campbell.
Director
As someone who has specialised in death, dying and grief, I strongly believe in the importance of remembering and reminiscing after the loss of a close loved one. I’m also extremely passionate about the power of storytelling (especially family storytelling) and the way it can honour a life lived, pass on wisdom and values, strengthen familial ties and sense of belonging, and create meaningful legacies for future generations. We feel that our Ordinary People Are Extraordinary Family Legacy Recorded Conversations can fulfil all of the above, and we are genuinely excited to launch this unique project.
Gloria Ferguson.
Director
As a trained End of Life Doula, I’ve learned that exploring memories and preserving stories is a powerful way to connect with the people who care about us – now and in the future. And it’s not just for the end of life; it can begin at any age. Throughout my work I encourage and support individuals to reflect on their lives and encourage them to transform those reflections into legacy projects with deep personal meaning. Through storytelling, heirloom creation, or guided reflection, I help people capture who they are, what they’ve learned, and what matters most – turning that into memorable lasting gifts that can offer love, wisdom, and connection to future generations.
“Our personal life story – with all of its successes, disappointments, joys and challenges – is the legacy we leave for future generations.
Our legacy is the imprint we’ve made on the world around us and the people we’ve met on our journey, as well as offering guidance for the future”
NEIL CAMPBELL
Our Project.
‘How it works’
THE DISCOVERY SESSION
This initial session is conducted with care, respect and warmth. Its purpose is to allow our Legacy Guide to gain a good overview of the recipient’s life story, gather helpful background details, explore any specific aspects they wish to highlight, and discuss their expectations for the conversation.
Following the Discovery Session, we will schedule an appointment with the recipient for the actual recording.
THE RECORDING
The recorded conversation, lasting for approximately 60 – 80 minutes, normally takes place in the comfort of the recipient’s home in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Afterwards, the recording will be carefully edited and refined, with appropriate music added to the beginning and end. The final version is then uploaded to a USBC memory stick and presented in a beautifully designed presentation box, accompanied by a Certificate of Authentication.
OUR LEGACY GUIDES
They are highly skilled in listening with sensitivity, empathy and a non-judgemental approach. They are extensively trained to hold space with compassion and offer support when needed.
Like every member of our team, each Legacy Guide is deeply passionate about the purpose, value and benefits of this project.
BOOK A RECORDING
If you’d like to find out any further information, please feel free to contact us by email at
hello@extraordinarylives.co.uk
“Neil was easy to talk to and put me at my ease and once I began to talk I was soon immersed in memories of a bygone age.
I found the whole experience exhilarating and when the interview was over I felt I had left an interesting legacy for my children and grandchildren to learn more about their ancestors. I think my parents too might have been proud of my effort”