‘It is a necessity’: Leeds Children's Hospital campaign to protect vital seven-day play support

Behind the doors of Leeds Children’s Hospital, specialist play isn’t a distraction from treatment - it’s part of it.

From helping a child understand what’s about to happen, to turning fear into confidence and giving families a moment of joy, Play Specialists are there throughout a young patient’s hospital journey.

And today, as Play in Healthcare week begins, the Yorkshire Evening Post is throwing its support behind a new campaign to keep the vital seven-day-a-week service for children at the hospital.

And we’re looking to raise £40,000 which is enough to fund a year of sessions delivered by a Play Specialist to support children across the city.

The hospital’s Play Team delivers an average of 338 therapeutic play sessions every week, helping children manage anxiety and feel more comfortable during what can be a frightening hospital experience.

For Lisa Beaumont, Therapeutic and Specialised Play Manager, the importance of providing support at weekends was made clear by one young patient.

She told the YEP: “One little boy said to me, Lisa, I don’t like the weekends, all the worst things happen at the weekends because you’re not here.

“That’s a prime example of why we need to support our children seven days a week.”

With support from Leeds Hospitals Charity, the team has expanded its service to cover all seven days, helping children prepare for procedures, manage their fears and feel more in control of their treatment.

Lisa said: “We don’t want to be pinning children down for procedures. We want them to have an understanding of what is going to happen so they can manage that well and cope better.”

Play Leader Eilish Tillotson, said simple activities could make a significant difference during medical procedures.

She recalled supporting a young patient having his blood taken by using bubbles, singing and dancing to distract him.

“He was mesmerised by the bubbles, and after it was finished, mum looked at me and told me I was a magician,” she told the YEP.

Eilish added that play also helped children feel safe in an unfamiliar environment, particularly teenagers struggling with their mental health.

“This hospital environment can be terrifying, but as a play team, because we’re going in and doing nice things for the children, it makes the hospital experience a bit more normal for them,” she said.

The team also provides emotional support for parents and siblings, helping families navigate the strain of having a child in hospital.

More than 11,000 children were admitted to Leeds Children’s Hospital last year, with its specialist Play Team, working across 20 clinical areas.

According to Leeds Hospitals Charity, only around a third of hospitals in the UK provide specialist play support for seven days a week.

Esther Wakeman, chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said the charity needs to raise half a million pounds a year to fund the service.

Esther told the YEP: “Play is not only an important part of childhood, but it also provides distraction for children worried about an upcoming procedure.

“It can be the difference to a child needing sedation or not, or even general anaesthetic.”

Esther said regular donations helped the charity plan ahead and continue funding play specialists, equipment and activities to help children understand their treatment.

She added: “There shouldn’t be any difference in the kind of care the children receive, whether they come in on a Monday or a Saturday.”

Lisa agrees, saying play should be considered an essential part of children’s healthcare, rather than an optional extra.

“They’re away from school, friends and siblings, so they’re isolated for a long period of time,” she said.

“This is not a luxury. This is an absolute necessity that all children should have access to.”

The charity is encouraging individuals and businesses to become regular donors to help sustain the service, which relies on charitable funding.

Esther said: “We can’t do what we do without donations, so if anybody is thinking about making a regular gift, whatever you can afford will make a difference.”

For more details and to donate to the campaign visit: www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/donate/play