KEMP Patients Create Layered Art Inspired by the Wyre Forest

In collaboration with creative health charity, Cayr Charity, patients attending a recent creative arts session at KEMP Hospice were invited to take part in a unique, multi-layered art activity that brought together memory, imagination and local inspiration.

The Benefits of Creative Art for Hospice Patients

Engaging in creative art activities can be deeply beneficial for people living with life-limiting illnesses. That’s why when we were approached by Cayr Charity about their innovative project we were keen to get involved.

Creative Art activities are an important part of our Care Services at KEMP and can have key benefits for palliative care patients that include:

• Improved emotional wellbeing by offering an outlet for expression and processing difficult feelings
• Reducing anxiety and stress through calming, mindful activity
• Enhancing social interaction, especially in group settings where conversation flows naturally
• Providing a sense of purpose and achievement, particularly when patients create something meaningful to them
• Stimulating memory and reflection, helping patients reconnect with positive memories and familiar places

Drawing from Local Landmarks

For the session at KEMP, each participant began with a simple blank sheet of paper. From there, they could either draw freehand or use a variety of stencils to guide their designs. Using colourful pens, they brought their ideas to life – drawing from their own cherished memories and familiar scenes from around Kidderminster and the Wyre Forest.

Ideas flowed as patients reflected on local landmarks and nature spots, such as the stunning Bewdley poppy fields, Wyre Forest, Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, Brinton Park, and more. Some chose to represent these directly, while others opted for a more abstract approach, using lines and shapes to express their feelings and perspectives.

From Paper to Lightbox

Once their paper artwork was complete, patients were given a transparent sheet and encouraged to trace selected elements from their original drawing. This careful process involved leaving blank spaces so the design would work effectively on a light box. Many patients chose a single item, such as a tree, flower, or mushroom, to trace and refine.

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These individual pieces were then ready for the next step – layering on the light box.

The Magic of Layered Light Art

With four slots available on the light box, up to four pieces of artwork could be layered at once. As each transparent sheet was placed over the others, a new, collaborative piece of art emerged.

It was a wonderful moment of discovery as patients saw how their individual efforts combined to create something entirely new. Rotating and rearranging the layers gave fresh perspectives and revealed hidden details, sparking conversation and curiosity.

Exploring Art Through Virtual Reality

To finish the session, patients were invited to try on a VR headset – allowing them to step inside a virtual art space where they could view drawings in a new and immersive way. This experience gave a futuristic twist to a creative session grounded in local connection and self-expression.

Cayr Charity Brings Virtual Reality and Creativity to Palliative Care.

Founder of Cayr Charity Hannah Thomas said “I began this work in 2021, initially providing one-on-one support to patients in palliative care. At the time, I was a senior commissioner in Birmingham Public Health and was hugely inspired by Dr Julian Abel and the Compassionate Communities Charter.”

The project ‘Creative Lightbox & VR in Palliative Care’ has been receiving positive feedback from participants, “Early feedback suggests participants are experiencing, calmer moods, joyful conversations, and moments of surprise or delight,” said Hannah. “We’ve also found that introducing new tools, such as virtual reality, into hospice settings has real value, particularly for older individuals who’ve never encountered this technology before. It offers a completely different kind of creative practice and reflection.”

The artwork is ultimately intended to be displayed in an exhibition early next year.

Creative Art activities are a key component of the care patients receive at KEMP Hospice. All our services are provided free of charge and it’s thanks to generous donations that help us continue to be there for people when they need us.