Skill Building Workshop for Art Therapists
Organisation: Assisi Hospice
Date of project: February 2024
Duration: 1.5 hours
Specifications Requested: Skill Building; Evening Class; On-Site
Materials: Birch Plywood
Cost: $20/pax
Planning is everything
When Assisi Hospice first approached us about running a workshop for their patients, we recognized the need for careful adaptation. Given the sensitive nature of hospice care, we held multiple planning sessions with their team to understand how best to modify our program. The biggest challenge became clear: with patients' conditions often changing day-to-day, advance planning was impossible, requiring us to rethink our approach entirely.
Empowering Therapists Through Woodworking Skills
Through these discussions, we developed an innovative solution; instead of working directly with patients, we would train the hospice's art therapists. These professionals already had established relationships with patients and deep understanding of their needs. Our workshop focused on teaching the therapists fundamental woodworking techniques, material knowledge, and project ideas they could adapt for various ability levels. This "train-the-trainer" model allowed the hospice to incorporate woodworking into their existing art therapy programs with greater flexibility.
Lasting Impact Through Shared Knowledge
The result was a sustainable solution that extended beyond our single workshop. By equipping the art therapists with woodworking skills, we created ripple effects that could benefit countless patients. The hospice team appreciated how we listened to their unique challenges and collaboratively developed this alternative approach. This partnership demonstrated how woodworking can bring therapeutic value in unexpected ways, especially when programs are thoughtfully adapted to serve vulnerable communities with care and respect.
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