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Do you care for someone who is dying? Is self-care something you would like to make time for?

Palliative Care NSW and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) are working together to offer an arts engagement program specifically for carers engaging in Palliative Care.

This free 4-week program is open to members and friends of Palliative Care NSW and will take place at AGNSW. Participants will take part in facilitated viewing experiences of selected artworks through discussion about life experiences, and ‘What Matters Most’ No previous experience, knowledge of art is needed.

This program is an opportunity for carers to take time out to acknowledge and engage with their own feelings; to have social engagement and contact; to share experiences with like-minded people; to acknowledge their identity apart from the caring role, and to experience in the ‘moment pleasure’. An important element of giving care to others is in maintaining self-care. This program provides an opportunity for carers to pause, engage with art in a supported environment, and experience how mindful activities can support self-care, and learn skills and strategies that can be transferred to the care environment.

One of the first of its kind in Australia, the project will be evaluated by Dr Gail Kenning from University of Technology Sydney and the Ageing Futures Institute, University of New South Wales approved under UTS ethics committee number UTS HREC REF NO. ETH19-3974. Participants will be asked to consent to sharing their views and providing feedback on the program and its impact on you and your approach to care.

For more information or to register interest please email [email protected] by Friday 13th September.

The program will run on a Wednesday or a Saturday throughout October and November, each session will run for approximately 2 hours with morning or afternoon tea provided. To gain the most from the program participants are encouraged to attend all 4 of the sessions.

This project is generously supported by: PCNSW, AGNSW, UTS and The City of Sydney.

Image: Arts engagement program for PCNSW Professional education day 24 May 2019,  19^th C Australian Galleries, Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photographer Felicity Jenkins