At Harlington Hospice we know that end-of-life care is about so much more than managing physical symptoms. It is about supporting the whole person and their family – emotionally, spiritually, and creatively. One of the ways we do this is through art therapy.

This week, as part of Art Therapy in Hospices Week, we are proud to join organisations across the country in highlighting the importance of creative therapies within palliative and end-of-life care.

Art therapy offers people a safe and supportive space to explore thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words. With the help of a trained therapist, creativity can become a way of expressing hope, processing grief, or finding moments of calm at an incredibly challenging time.

Dr Ros Taylor MBE, Palliative Care Physician and Hospice Director, reflects:

“Hospices are not places where life stops. They are places where people can discover meaning, beauty and connection, even in the most difficult of times. Art therapy allows emotions to surface in ways that words often cannot. The artwork created may be raw, tender, or joyful – but always deeply human.”

For many people, sitting with paints, pastels or clay can open up conversations that might otherwise feel impossible. A patient may capture memories of family holidays, a carer may pour their love into a collage, or a child may find comfort in colours when facing loss.

As one of our art therapists explains:

“The artwork is not about producing something perfect. It is about the process – creating, sharing, being seen and heard. Often it is the small details, the choice of a colour or the shape of a line, that lead to profound conversations.”

Through Art Therapy in Hospices Week, we hope to raise awareness of how vital these services are, and the difference they make to patients and families. Creative therapies remind us that even at the end of life, people can still find new ways to express themselves and connect with others.

At Harlington Hospice, we are proud to offer art therapy as part of our holistic care. It is one of the many ways we seek to bring comfort, meaning, and dignity to the final chapter of life.