Clarke, Leah; Elson, Amy

Author(s)

Clarke, Leah

Elson, Amy

Publication Date

2025-09-11

Abstract

Background: Historically, collaboration between the Allied Health teams at a Northern Territory cancer care centre and palliative care service was minimal. This initiative aimed to improve collaboration and use the arts to support quality of life and death, focusing on reducing stigma around cancer and palliative care. Methods: Adapted from the UK-based Art Bag Project, the Allied Health teams facilitated a six-month soap carving initiative between June and November, 2024. The project offered an accessible, low-barrier creative activity for patients, families, and staff, promoting self-reflection and connection. Participant demographics and qualitative feedback were collected across two surveys and from an exhibition showcasing the participants' carved creations. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Survey results revealed 100% of participants expressed interest in more art activities. With 92% reporting enjoyment in the soap carving sessions, highlighting its therapeutic benefits. 100% of exhibition attendees reported enjoyment, with 85% understanding the project’s aims. 100% of participants felt the exhibition successfully destigmatised hospice care. Eight themes from the exhibition feedback survey were identified including: creativity and variety, bringing people together, collaboration between services and the positive atmosphere of the event. Participants shared positive reflections, noting personal growth, such as “testing my patience,” and the communal aspect of the project, “the laughter of fellow carvers.” One participant highlighted the importance of the initiative in fostering “open minds and hearts,” reinforcing its role in building community. Conclusion: The project suggests that creative initiatives can improve quality of life and death, enhance team collaboration, and reduce stigma around palliative and cancer care. By engaging patients and staff in soap carving, the project fostered emotional healing and connection. This initiative has the potential to spark a broader cultural shift in healthcare, encouraging the integration of creativity into patient care, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the patient and family experience across healthcare settings.

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/14211

MESH subject

palliative care

hospice care

cancer care

oncology

art therapy

wellbeing

allied health

collaboration

quality of life

Title

Carving Connections: Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Care through Soap Art

Type of document

Conference poster

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Clarke, Leah Elson, Amy
Publication Date	2025-09-11
Abstract	Background: Historically, collaboration between the Allied Health teams at a Northern Territory cancer care centre and palliative care service was minimal. This initiative aimed to improve collaboration and use the arts to support quality of life and death, focusing on reducing stigma around cancer and palliative care. Methods: Adapted from the UK-based Art Bag Project, the Allied Health teams facilitated a six-month soap carving initiative between June and November, 2024. The project offered an accessible, low-barrier creative activity for patients, families, and staff, promoting self-reflection and connection. Participant demographics and qualitative feedback were collected across two surveys and from an exhibition showcasing the participants' carved creations. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Survey results revealed 100% of participants expressed interest in more art activities. With 92% reporting enjoyment in the soap carving sessions, highlighting its therapeutic benefits. 100% of exhibition attendees reported enjoyment, with 85% understanding the project’s aims. 100% of participants felt the exhibition successfully destigmatised hospice care. Eight themes from the exhibition feedback survey were identified including: creativity and variety, bringing people together, collaboration between services and the positive atmosphere of the event. Participants shared positive reflections, noting personal growth, such as “testing my patience,” and the communal aspect of the project, “the laughter of fellow carvers.” One participant highlighted the importance of the initiative in fostering “open minds and hearts,” reinforcing its role in building community. Conclusion: The project suggests that creative initiatives can improve quality of life and death, enhance team collaboration, and reduce stigma around palliative and cancer care. By engaging patients and staff in soap carving, the project fostered emotional healing and connection. This initiative has the potential to spark a broader cultural shift in healthcare, encouraging the integration of creativity into patient care, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the patient and family experience across healthcare settings.
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/14211
MESH subject	palliative care hospice care cancer care oncology art therapy wellbeing allied health collaboration quality of life
Title	Carving Connections: Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Care through Soap Art
Type of document	Conference poster
Entity Type	Publication

Carving Connections: Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Care through Soap Art

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