Pilgrims Hospices and Turner Contemporary bring creative activities to patients
Collaboration Between Pilgrims Hospices and Turner Contemporary
Pilgrims Hospices hosts “Living Well” sessions offering patients and their families social, creative, and educational activities. In 2023, Turner Contemporary was invited to speak at one of these sessions, marking the start of an exciting collaboration. Since then, the partnership has grown to allow patients to take part in art-related activities such as Look Club.
Look Club: Art as a Tool for Connection
Look Club is a programme designed to enrich lives, support creativity and empower people through art. Over six weeks, participants explore ideas and questions around exhibitions at Turner Contemporary. Originally launched in 2020 in partnership with Age Thanet UK in response to the social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Look Club has grown in collaboration with Pilgrims Hospices. Prioritising people who sign up through the hospice and offering a welcoming environment where members, including those from the Turner team, learn and explore art together without needing prior knowledge. To make sure Look Club is as accessible as possible sessions take place in different ways, including creative workshops, online discussions, and art packs delivered by mail. The emphasis is on connection and encouraging an open mind, as Dee Ajiba, Learning Producer at Turner Contemporary says:
“For one and a half hours on a Thursday, we uncover histories, jump down rabbit holes, and try out new ideas. It’s okay if we don’t understand something or disagree – that’s where it gets interesting.”
Patient Story: Brian Hodgson
Brian Hodgson from Broadstairs, aged 77, was referred to Pilgrims Hospices by his neurologist at QEQM Hospital, Margate. He and his wife, Lesley, are receiving support from the charity. He originally took part in the hospice’s “Time to Create” therapeutic art group before joining the “Living Well” group. His involvement with Look Club has been a particularly enriching experience, allowing him to connect with art in a new way and revisit artists that inspired his career, such as Agnes Martin.
Brian shared how Look Club, facilitated by Dee, Bowie, and Sarah from Turner Contemporary, has been a source of joy and emotional connection:
“It was such a special and emotional experience to be there with an artist, listening to them talk about their work.”
Impact on the Community
By working together, Pilgrims Hospices and Turner Contemporary continue to show the transformative power of art in healthcare settings. Giving patients opportunities for creative expression, social interaction, and personal growth, breaking the stigma around hospices being solely places for end-of-life care.
The Turner team also highlighted the joy and learning that comes from these sessions:
“The conversation takes many diversions; we welcome a tangent! The only requirement is an open mind.”
How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in joining Look Club through Pilgrims Hospices or learning more about the Wellbeing Programme, please contact:
Dee Ajiba at Turner Contemporary:
Email: dajiba@turnercontemporary.org
Phone: 01843 233 000
Pilgrims Hospices Wellbeing Team:
Email: wellbeing.enquiries@pilgrimshospices.org
Phone: Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
This initiative showcases how art and creativity can enrich the lives of those facing challenging health journeys, providing not only comfort but also a sense of purpose and community.