Background An adult hospice recently expanded their services to include young adults. A gap in knowledge was identified when providing interactive activities to enhance wellbeing and social interaction with this patient group. Collaborating with a children’s hospice demonstrated how two organisations came together to share knowledge and skills when empowering staff to feel confident and creative whilst offering activities to meet the young adults’ goals.

Aim To demonstrate the value of collaboration between a children’s and an adult hospice within Scotland.

Method Activities facilitator from a children’s hospice worked with staff within an adult hospice over a period of six months.

• Explanation on how to facilitate activities, giving a rationale behind it, and resources required.

• Activities facilitator led sessions initially, with peers from the adult hospice observing.

• A range of qualitative data was obtained from young adults, parents/carers, staff.

• Staff documented a range of observations and learning from each session.

Results

• 23 young adults attended the sessions over 6–month period.

• Adult hospice staff developed a programme of activities with skill and confidence.

• Observation documentation, photographs and videos of activities demonstrated that young adults enjoyed a variety of activities meeting their individual goals.

• Pre and post session wordles showed keywords used by staff, young adults, and carers, such as ‘joy, fun, learning new skills, therapeutic, encouragement, creative, teamwork’.

• Through peer support, the activities facilitator empowered the adult hospice staff to undertake sessions independently.

• Professional development of staff within both organisations.

Conclusion From results received, we conclude that collaboration with a children’s and adult hospice demonstrated a variety of benefits for staff, young adults, and carers. This collaboration has led to a team of staff in the adult hospice being able to continue to plan and lead activity sessions for young adults.