Why is play important?

Many children who come into the hospital have been through a traumatic experience, such as a serious illness or accident. They may feel frightened about what is happening to them, and x-rays, blood tests and injections can be additional sources of worry.

Play and the support of a play team can help provide children who are feeling sad or frightened with the emotional support they need. Play can help children to process their feelings, as well as providing a sense of normality and an escape from the hospital environment.

What is the need?

There are three playrooms in the hospital. One of the rooms was refurbished in 2017. The other two rooms have been used by thousands of children over the last ten years and are now tired and worn. Older children think the rooms are too young for them and dont use the space, and they are not equipped for younger children with specialist needs.

What can we do?

The play team would like to turn the old playrooms into retreats that cater for everyone. By providing specialist equipment, toys and large screens for films and games, the retreat will be an oasis of calm within the noise and bustle of the hospital, which will appeal to children of all ages as well as being a special area where physiotherapists can help children relearn skills they may have lost through illness or injury.