This rich collection of accounts explores the personal and professional experiences of palliative care workers. Contributors from a variety of disciplines associated with care at the end of life - among them social workers, a nurse, a doctor, a counselling psychologist, an academic researcher, a psychotherapist and a creative writing therapist - explain how and why they came to work in palliative care, what they bring to the work and the ways in which it has enriched their own lives.

Including descriptive examples of their work with clients and families, they discuss the spiritual needs of patients, how to manage personal boundaries and power relations, the use of narrative and story telling in care work and the impact of working with people who are very ill and grieving on every day life.

This thoughtful and positive book presents a variety of experience-based perspectives on working in palliative care. Emphasising the use of self and the importance of reflective practice in professional work, this book will be of relevance to all professionals in medical and social care who want to gain a deeper understanding of their work and of the motivation underlying it.