Immersive Storytelling for Children in Palliative Care

We all have a story to tell, a story that should be heard. The existing research and outcome presented at Napier University’s 2023 Degree Show explores the impact of the built environment on children in palliative care – do these spaces support a child’s identity?  Play is children’s work. A child’s imagination should never be restricted by or tethered to limitations of space. Children’s imaginations are scale free. We are all creatures of habitat, habitats shaped by our stories. Stories are memorable when personal. My profound interest originates in my brother’s life within the healthcare system wherein his confinement contributed to a loss of control, comfort, agency - the loss of his identity. Universally the psychology of space and design influences everyone sometimes subtlety or subconsciously, other times overtly as was the case as a sibling to a terminally ill brother within palliative care.

This project aims to provide children in palliative care with the dignity of a hero’s journey and to influence a wonderful legacy for the family.