“What Matters To You?”: A simple question that can change everything

Today – Tuesday 3 June – is “What Matters to You?” Day 2025!

Started in 2014, this global movement is all about making care more personal. It encourages honest, meaningful conversations between people who provide health and social care and the people they support – including families and carers. By simply asking, “What matters to you?”, we can build stronger connections and improve the care experience for everyone.

So, to mark the day, we want to ask…when was the last time someone asked you, “What matters to you?”

It’s a simple question, but it’s one of the most important questions we can ask - of ourselves, of the people we support, and of the people we work alongside.

We only discover what truly matters by asking — and often, that simple insight can transform everything: how we care, how we support, and how we work together.

Asking ‘What matters…?” to the people we care for, and the people we work with

Over the past 18 months, the It’s All About People Personalisation Programme team has been privileged to work with the ​​​​​Tommy Whitelaw.

Tommy is the Person-Centred Voices National Lead for Scotland's Health and Social Care Alliance.

Driven by his experience as a former carer, and the key messages of the ‘What Matters To You?’ movement and ‘Intelligent Kindness’, Tommy is on a quest to shift the culture in health and care to create kind and compassionate workplaces and services.  

If you were lucky enough to hear Tommy’s deeply personal story of caring for his Mum, Joan, who had vascular dementia, you’ll know just how vital it is to bring kindness, compassion, and a person-centred approach into healthcare wherever you can.

But, as Tommy stresses, it’s not just about the people we support and their families. This way of thinking – and acting - should be at the heart of how we work with each other every day, in every team, service, and organisation.

A new "What Matters To You" film

Scotland's Health and Social Care Alliance has launched a short film showcasing the work of staff at Ninewells Hospital at NHS Tayside embedding a ‘What Matters to You?’ approach in everyday practice.

The film is a partnership between the Health and Social Care Alliance, NHS Tayside, and Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Tommy Whitelaw carried out workshops on kindness, compassion, and the importance of asking and listening to what matters to individuals receiving or providing care.

Over four days and 22 sessions, Tommy reached over 500 people at NHS Tayside.

Staff have been instrumental in taking this forward.

Since commencing the ‘What Matters to You?’ initiative at Ninewells Hospital in July 2023, 92.6% of those needing an Emergency Laparotomy have been asked "What Matters To You?" when they have arrived on the surgical floor, and 88% of people surveyed found this tool useful.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW to see how everything started, the steps taken to make this a reality, and the real-life impact on individuals:

How to get involved on ‘What Matters to You?’ Day 2025

It couldn’t be easier to be a part of What Matters to You Day. Simply…Ask what matters, Listen to what matters, and Do what matters.

Here’s how:

Ask what matters

Ask someone – a family member, a friend, a patient, or a colleague - “What matters to you?” It doesn’t have to be formal or forced. It could come up naturally during a routine chat with a patient, or a quick conversation with a workmate during a break.

We’ll admit, we’re a bit of a nosey team – it’s part of the job! – but we love learning what makes people tick. What do they care about? What brings them joy? These small moments of connection can often happen while you’re doing something as everyday as taking a patient’s observations. Perhaps you’re hesitant to ask because you’re worried what their answer may be?

Listen to what matters

Really listen. So, not just polite nods or distracted “uh-huhs.” Deep listening takes time and attention - but it’s where the magic happens. When we feel truly heard, our worries don’t seem quite as heavy. We feel involved, valued and connected. Isn’t that what everyone wants - to be listened to and to know they matter?

Do What Matters

When we think about what matters to someone, we might picture big, life-changing dreams – like winning the lottery or making a full recovery. But most of the time, it’s the small, personal things that mean the most… “I just want to spend time with my grandchildren”, “I miss playing in my band – I want to do that again”, “I just want life to feel normal” or “I want to feel heard and understood”. These everyday hopes and goals matter. Hearing them, and acting on them, can make all the difference.

And the same goes for the health and care workforce. The teams and services we talk to tell us that what matters most is the people they work with - feeling like they’re part of a second family. That kind of bond needs to be nurtured. Because when teams feel connected and supported, they deliver better care. It’s that simple.

So, the next time you’re on shift, try asking a colleague: “What matters to you?” And really listen, and see what you can do to support them. You might be surprised by what you learn and how you can make their lives better.

And of course, ask the people you support too. Because if we were in their shoes, wouldn’t we want someone to ask us?