New campaign highlights vital role of art therapy in hospices
The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) has today launched a new campaign to highlight the role of art therapy in hospices. Part of the wider This is art therapy campaign, the initiative aims to raise awareness of how art therapy can support people receiving hospice care, as well as their families and the staff who care for them.
Hospices provide care at some of the most critical moments in people’s lives. As these services face increasing financial and operational pressures, we are making the case for why art therapy should be included, and protected, as an important part of compassionate and person-centred hospice provision.
Art therapy has the potential to:
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Help when words are not enough
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Alleviate distress and suffering
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Meet people where they are
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Reduce staff burnout
By including the voices of service users, clinicians and art therapists, the campaign aims to show how art therapy can both ease psychological distress for patients and families, and can help hospices address wider priorities such as staff retention and moving more care into the community.
Often on a busy hospital ward, we only look at the physical, whereas what is actually causing a lot of suffering is facing loss, leaving people behind losing identity and social losses. I think art psychotherapy is a tool to get to the heart of that total pain or suffering.
Dr Ros Taylor MBE, Medical Director at Harlington Hospice and the Michael Sobell Hospice
Art therapy helped me make the decisions that I needed to make in a way that was right for me. I also think it takes the pressure off of the health services because all the time I’m feeling better about things, or have a voice and a place to go, I think that makes me feel better as a whole and makes my health needs more manageable.
Wendy Brookfield, art therapy service user
Gary Fereday, Chief Executive of BAAT said: “Hospices across the UK are under immense strain, yet they remain places of compassion and care at the hardest points in people’s lives.”
“Through this campaign, we want to show how art therapy can make a real difference – not only to those receiving care, but also to the staff who provide it.”
Resources for hospices
As part of the launch, we are providing members and allies with resources to advocate for art therapy in hospices, including case studies and practical examples to share with colleagues, managers, and decision-makers.
Download briefing for hospice leaders
Join the campaign!
📢 Join our campaign on social media
Are you already an advocate for art therapy in palliative care? Show your support during art therapy in hospices week, this week 22-28 September.
Download the campaign deck (PDF)
Download social media toolkit (PDF)