Background Recent reports highlight the growing demand for community palliative care (Cicely Saunders International. Action plan for palliative care. Cicely Saunders International [internet]. 2021) and the lasting impact of COVID-19 on death, dying, and bereavement (All Party Parliamentary Group Hospice and End of Life Care. The lasting impact of COVID-19 on death, dying and bereavement. 2023). Art therapy has proven effective in addressing existential challenges (National Centre for Creative Health. Creative health review. [internet]. NCCH. 2023), fostering spirituality, and promoting self-care in community palliative care settings (Çinar. Spiritual Psychology Counseling. 2022;7(3):389–408). Group art therapy, recently relaunched, offers a safe space for patients and families to explore end-of-life themes and alleviate distress in community palliative care settings.

Aim To explore how art therapy strengthens self-awareness, addresses existential challenges, and promotes self-care in community palliative care. Investigating the application of non-directive and theme-based approaches to meet diverse personal needs.

Method We implemented quarterly 8-session art therapy groups for community palliative care patients and their families, transitioning from non-directive to thematic-based sessions over three cycles. Participants, ranging from 4 to 10 for each group, utilise creative art process to enhance self-awareness and reflection, with themes evolving around nature metaphors. Pre- and post-intervention states were assessed using Distress Thermometers and CORE-10 measures. Pre- and post-intervention scores would be compared. Feedback and quotes from participants provided qualitative insights. Artwork images would be discussed alongside with art therapist’s reflection.

Results Participants demonstrated increased self-awareness, felt relaxed and absorbed in the creative process, were able to reflect on themes related to their personal journey, end-of-life or bereavement issues, and experienced improved emotional well-being post-intervention. Consistent themes of nature, inner resources, challenges, and unpredictable issues emerged across sessions, supported by artwork and participant feedback. Ongoing data collection from the last group together with data from previous two groups will be included in the poster presentation.

Conclusion Art therapy serves as a valuable tool in hospice care, fostering self-awareness, self-acceptance, and acknowledgment of existential challenges among patients and families. The intervention’s outcomes highlight the importance of considering both non-directive and thematic-based approaches based on clients’ needs.