The award honours a series of hands-on workshops hosted at both Fair Havens and Little Havens, designed to bring joy and creativity to the people the hospices care for. Activities included pottery painting, creating decorative seed tiles, crafting seed bombs and an Art Exhibition at the college showcasing the beautiful creations made at Havens Hospices to the wider community.

At Fair Havens, working in partnership with Ceramic Tutor and Technician, Hayley Summers, from Southend Adult Community College, patients painted plates with a specialist clay paint before they were professionally fired, giving them a lasting keepsake. In the seed tile workshop, clay was mixed with soil and wildflower seeds, shaped and decorated, designed so that, once placed in the garden, the tile will break down and the seeds will bloom into colourful flowers.

Children and families at Little Havens took part in a seed bomb workshop where they combined clay, soil and seeds to create nature-friendly bombs before planting them in the hospice’s garden.

Supportive therapies, such as art, music and creative workshops, form an important part of hospice care. They give people the opportunity to express themselves, explore their emotions, and enjoy moments of relaxation away from medical routines. These sessions can reduce stress, boost mood, and help people connect with others who share similar experiences. By focusing on what people can do, rather than what they can’t, supportive therapies bring joy, confidence and a renewed sense of purpose at a time when it matters most.

Christine Harris, Supportive Therapies Lead at Havens Hospices, said, “We are honoured to receive this award. Working with Southend Adult Community College has brought so much joy to the people we care for. These sessions are about far more than making something beautiful, they’re about connection, expression and creating memories that will last long after the clay has dried.”

To learn more about the services at Havens Hospices and how to make a referral, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk.

Published on 15th August 2025