Creativity, Discipline and the Arts at the End of Life: An Interview with Nigel Hartley

Nigel Hartley; Andy Ridley

doi:10.56883/aijmt.2016.354

Authors

Nigel Hartley
Andy Ridley

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56883/aijmt.2016.354

Keywords:

creativity, arts, end of life care

Abstract

In this interview Nigel Hartley discusses the importance of the arts and arts therapy in end of life care and the therapeutic benefits of a shared, public experience of music and art making, performance and exhibition. He contests that arts therapies work best in this setting when the artists and arts therapists are disciplined, flexible and responsive to the both social and private experience of the patients.

Author Biographies

Nigel Hartley

Nigel Hartley currently holds the post of Director of Supportive Care at the St Christopher’s Group, London. He has worked in end of life care for 25 years, the last 11 years at the St Christopher’s Group, where he has been responsible for transforming day and outpatient services, developing volunteers and also leading on Community Engagement. He has an international reputation as a teacher and lecturer and is also an experienced published writer. In April 2015 Nigel will take up a new position of Chief Executive Officer at Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight in the South of England.

Email: n.hartley@stchristophers.org.uk