Bringing festive joy to children in hospital
Christmas activities are helping deliver some well-deserved cheer to young hospital patients at what can be a particularly difficult time for them.
Play team staff at Basildon Hospital invited storyteller Jacqueline Johnson to share Christmas tales with the children and their families and arranged for a winter performance which helped lift their spirits during their stay.
Olivia Martin, mum of three‑year‑old Delila from Basildon, said: “Hospital appointments can be scary, especially ones with tests. This experience has brightened up the day and made this visit positive.”
Lisa Kawa‑Akenbo, Lead Health Play Specialist for the Trust, said: “When children come into hospital, it can feel overwhelming. There are tests, treatments, and many unfamiliar faces. Our play teams bring a sense of normality back into their day.
“Through storytelling, creative activities, or simply the chance to play, we want children to feel supported and less anxious. It’s also about giving families moments to share together and showing that care is about emotional wellbeing as much as physical health.”