Art and storytelling at the hospice

In this blog:

• Overview
• Telling your story
• You don’t need to write a book
• Your audience is your choice

Overview

Historically, art has served where words can sometimes fail us. It can offer us alternative means of expression, allowing us to explore, process and share the difficulties of life, death, love and loss, in a uniquely personal way. Equally it can be diversionary, fun and distracting from the challenges. That is the beauty of it, art can be whatever you want it to be, and can serve a unique purpose in a hospice environment, where some people may be struggling to verbalise thoughts and feelings

At St Barnabas House, I have often heard ‘I can’t paint, I can’t draw’, and that may be the case, but it does not mean you are not creative. Everyone has a story to tell – from everyday moments to life-changing events. Telling our story, or part of it, can help us make sense of things, to process and possibly share both the challenges and the joys we experience.

To creatively capture an aspect of our story can be empowering, and enjoyable. We can find a voice through art in so many different forms and my role as Artist in Residence at St Barnabas House is to work alongside you, to support and aid you in whatever way you might choose to tell your story.

Telling your story

Whatever story you choose to share is completely up to you. You can share a small part of your story, or all of it. If you’re struggling to think of a starting point, ask yourself, ‘what have I done with my hands?’

Our hands are one way we engage with the world throughout our life. Many of us use them to earn our living, and to nurture our loved ones, but we don’t really think about all the things we do with them.

A few years ago, I asked a group of patients at the hospice the same question I just asked you. And the results were beautiful. They varied and were individual to each person. Some people focused on their roles in their families, or their professions, whilst others focused on challenging life experiences. We captured these stories by working together to create a series of photographs, each telling a visual story. Everyone who took part was able to give copies of their images to family and friends.