This can be a particularly hard time of year for children who are confined to a hospital.
That is why Christmas activities are helping to deliver some well-deserved cheer to young patients in Mid and South Essex!
The play team staff at Basildon Hospital invited storyteller Jaqueline Johnson to share Christmas tales with the children and their families to deliver some extra festive joy. They also arranged a winter performance which helped lift their spirits during their stay.
Mum of three-year-old Delila from Basildon, Olivia Martin, has 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 Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation 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.”
