Tiles of Joy, creativity, connection and moments of happiness at Pilgrims Hospices
Photograph: Palak Sharma, Wellbeing Practitioner with Kavita Sodhi, Wellbeing Practioner Lead
A beautiful community art project is bringing colour, creativity and connection to Pilgrims Hospices, as patients, carers, staff and volunteers come together to take part in Tiles of Joy.
Led by ceramic artist Jayne Wright of JAW Ceramics CIC, Tiles of Joy began in 2023 in partnership with Power of Women (POW) Thanet, with an inspiring workshop at the Margate Caves.
Since then, the project has grown into something truly special, with more than 2,000 handcrafted tiles created by people across Thanet and beyond.
The project has united a wide range of community groups, from local schools and heritage organisations to social inclusion initiatives and arts groups, nurturing creativity and connection across the area.
More recently, Pilgrims’ Wellbeing groups have been taking part in the inspiring Tiles of Joy project. Patients, carers, Stepping Stones bereavement groups, staff and volunteers were invited to create their own ceramic tiles, each reflecting what brings them happiness. During the sessions, participants explored clay by scraping, indenting and shaping their designs, supported throughout by Jayne, who then carefully fired each piece before returning them ready for display.
Now proudly displayed at the hospices in Ashford and Thanet, these unique artworks form beautiful, fixed installations, each tile telling its own story and together creating a lasting celebration of community, creativity and care.
The experience has been both thought-provoking and uplifting. Participants have not only enjoyed the hands-on creative process, but also the special experience of seeing their work become part of a shared piece of art, something that will continue to bring comfort and joy to all who visit.
The project has also inspired Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team to explore how clay and creative therapies could play a bigger role in future sessions, opening up new opportunities to support patients and families through creativity and wellbeing activities.
As the Wellbeing team shared:
“It has been such a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Seeing people relax into the process, express themselves so freely, and then light up when they see their finished tile on display, has been incredibly special.”
Ann Mapley, a Wellbeing patient at Pilgrims Hospices who took part in the sessions, said:
“The brief was to design tiles that meant something to us, and for me that was my grandchildren. One of them loves George’s Dragon and the other loves snails, so I created a dragon and a snail on my tiles. It was such a fun afternoon, there were lots of laughs and giggles as we all tried to get everything just right with help from the lovely ladies running the session.
“Seeing the mural come together has been wonderful; it looks so lovely now. I first found out about the project through a leaflet that had been brought in, and I’m really glad I took part.”
Tiles of Joy is a reminder that even small moments of creativity can have a lasting impact, bringing people together, sparking reflection, and creating something truly meaningful.
Ann’s tiles
Follow Tiles of Joy on Instagram to find out more: @tilesofjoy
Pilgrims run a wide range of wellbeing groups and activities designed to support patients to live well, stay connected and enjoy the best quality of life possible.
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
- Visit pilgrimshospices.org/wellbeing
- Email [email protected]
- Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
