Background Caring for people at end of life is complex. We are asked to engage with people in a meaningful therapeutic way. This requires us to be fully present with the people we are caring for, where we may need to manage complex emotions while remaining professional. Exploring our own beliefs about death and dying can support us to manage the emotional labour of caring for people at end of life. Holcomb et al (Death Stud. 1993;17(4):299–318) found healthcare students who had a personal philosophy of death viewed death more positively. Later work by Sinclair (CMAJ. 2011; 183(2):180–187) concluded that working in palliative care allowed healthcare professionals to explore life and its meaning, bringing these lessons into their own lives. Art based approaches to learning have been used as a pedagogical tool to explore topics both objectively and subjectively (Dewey. Art as experience. Perigee; 2005), a ‘hearts and minds’ approach. Art, as the catalyst, allows for active engagement and critical examination to stimulate learning.

Aim To explore the effectiveness of a creative art-based workshop in supporting hospice-based staff to explore death and dying.

Method This workshop will be delivered to hospice-based staff in July 2024. During the workshop participants will explore selected works from the Barber collection and will use their discussions and reflections on these to create their own ‘zine’. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered from staff via a questionnaire. With participants’ permission, images of the ‘zine’ will also be used as data.

Results This workshop has not taken place, therefore there are no results related to hospice-based staff and the creation of a ‘zine’ to discuss. An earlier iteration of Memento Mori used to explore death and dying with healthcare students (Nicol, Pocock. Nurs Educ Today. 2020; 89:104404) concluded participation in the workshop increased understanding of the many experiences and interpretation.

Conclusion Data still to be analysed.