Pilgrims Hospices and Turner Contemporary offer patients new creative pursuits

Living Well sessions at Pilgrims Hospices offer patients social, creative and educational activities to enjoy with others.
Often, guest speakers visit and share knowledge and expertise from within their field.
In 2023, Pilgrims invited Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate to give a talk at a Living Well group, and a relationship grew from there.
Patients are now involved with Look Club, a free group for adults who are curious about art, which runs over six weeks for each exhibition at Turner Contemporary.
Look Club began in 2020, in response to the social isolation people were experiencing due to the pandemic. The gallery wanted to form a group that used art as a tool to bring people together. Since then, it has taken many forms, including creative workshops, art packs delivered by post, and online discussions. Look Club is now run in collaboration with Pilgrims Hospices and prioritises people who sign up through the hospice. Members are also encouraged to meet outside of Look Club weeks.
A Living Well session at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet inspired by American abstract painter, Ed Clark, who used a broom to create paintings
No previous knowledge is needed; the group, including the Turner team, learn together. The only requirement is an open mind.
Dee Ajiba, Learning Producer, said: “I initially went to Pilgrims to talk about our exhibitions and was met with such warmth and intrigue. The conversation took many diversions, which is exactly what Look Club is about – we welcome a tangent! Since then, we visit the Therapy Centre every few months to update on our programmes and run creative workshops. The team and groups have been instrumental in shaping the sessions and encouraging people to join, creating a growing, supportive network that we truly value.”
Brian’s story

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.
Brian said: “At first, I didn’t understand that palliative care meant support, not the end of life – it helps you to live as well as you possibly can. My view changed immensely.”
Lesley added: “As a carer, I know that I can phone for help any time. I also have complementary therapy through the Carers Cafe, which is great.
“People often associate hospices with dying; my own dad died at the Thanet hospice, so that was how I thought about them until now. I wish more people knew what hospices can offer. Pilgrims has given us confidence to carry on doing the things we like; it can be tricky, and we do have family and friends on hand to help, but Pilgrims offer a level of expertise that is so valuable.”
Brian initially had reiki therapy at the Thanet hospice before joining the Time to Create therapeutic art group, which offers patients the opportunity to try a range of artistic activities and processes. A lifelong artist, Brian has a First Class Honours degree in fine art from Maidstone College of Art and co-founded the New Kent Art gallery and studio in Broadstairs.
Brian and some of his artwork
When Brian chose to stop attending Time to Create, Jane Stanley and Zoe Cullen, Wellbeing Practitioners, encouraged him to consider other therapy options.
Brian said: “Jane and Zoe suggested I might like the Living Well group, which is interactive in a different way, with guest speakers attending and offering many activities. I love it, I really enjoy it. Jane, Zoe and all the other Wellbeing Practitioners, and the volunteers, are brilliant.”

Lesley continued: “One week, I dropped Brian off and they had a DJ and flashing lights. There he was in a wheelchair, and I left thinking: “I don’t know if this will be for him!” But he had a great time, apparently – he even led the conga!”
Brian added: “They’ve nicknamed me Suggs!”
A particular highlight of Brian’s time in the Living Well group has been his involvement with Look Club.
Brian said: “We’ve been going to exhibitions at Turner since it first opened, but had never come across Look Club. A recent exhibition linked really well with my own work; it featured artist Agnes Martin, who inspired my final degree show. I’d never seen her work in person until it happened to be in the Turner exhibition. It was such a special and emotional experience to be there with an artist, listening to them talk about their work.
“Dee, Bowie and Sarah, who run Look Club, are great. They feel like real friends. They’re so supportive of making art more accessible.”
Brian’s fellow patients at the hospice agree:
“I can be playful and imaginative at Look Club; in the outside world, I might be called childish. The hospice is so much more than end-of-life care.”
Patient artwork created in Look Club at the Thanet hospice Living Well group
The Turner team added: “Attending hospice groups has been a wonderful way of bringing Look Club to people who may not be able to join at the gallery. We know there can be an air of exclusivity around art institutions, so going to the groups and engaging with people in their own space hopefully helps dispel this. It has also been a lovely opportunity to see that, rather than being a place of sadness, the hospice is full of joy. We’ve laughed and learned a lot with groups like Living Well.
“Look Club is about art, but it’s also about connection. For each exhibition, Bowie and Sarah spend several weeks thoroughly researching before tailoring the sessions to align with the interests of the group, thoughtfully and creatively finding ways to build people’s confidence and friendship.
“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 – that’s where it gets interesting.”
If you’d like to get involved with Look Club through Pilgrims Hospices, please contact the Wellbeing team or Dee Ajiba at Turner Contemporary:
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 01843 233 000
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
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.