We work in six London hospitals: Great Ormond Street, University College Hospital, the Royal London, the Evalina, St Mary’s and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. We have established strong working relationships with our hospital partners so we can keep sending in our teams of entertainers regularly.
“Spread a Smile have been sending entertainers into GOSH for four years and they are one of the more consistent and quality-driven charities we regularly rely on. The team have built an incredible reputation for themselves in a relatively short space of time. The way they operate is an exemplar to other voluntary organisations we work with. They are professional and reliable and an important part of the Volunteer Services team at GOSH. I would arrange a Spread a Smile visit for every day of the week if I could and we are currently looking into how we can expand their work into even more wards at GOSH.”
Jamie Wilcox, Head of Volunteer Services, GOSH
“Spread a Smile has made a huge difference to the experience of paediatric and adolescent patients at University College Hospital. The entertainers are talented and clearly believe in what they are doing. Not only do they put the patients and families at ease, they engage with the children and young people in a fun, exciting way that is appropriate to their age and developmental level. They really make each individual child and young person feel special. When Spread a Smile are with us, the children are visibly more relaxed and comfortable in the hospital environment.”
Laura Walter, Senior Radiotherapy Play Specialist, UCLH
“It is sometimes difficult for us to get the children to accept the procedure they need; with Spread a Smile’s help and support the children increasingly become more compliant, which helps me and my colleagues tremendously. They don’t even notice they’ve had their procedure or injection as they’re so interested in Spread a Smile’s activity!”
Natasha Luck, Play Specialist, The Royal London Hospital
“Spread a Smile is a very special charity. They value and appreciate the clinical work that is undertaken and work collaboratively with the ward and hospital staff, this strengthens their success. The team are professional and work closely with us to ensure all members of the team have good knowledge to work in such specialised clinical environments. I have seen children amazed at the magician doing a card trick, children excitedly waiting for a visit from the magical fairy or having their face painted and the nurses speechless from their hard work described in a poem. Spread a Smile is able to put a smile on a child’s face or make them laugh in the most difficult of situations.”
Eleanor Tyrrell, Matron, GOSH
“It is wonderful to have Spread a Smile’s entertainers in the St Mary’s paediatric departments, because they do exactly what the name implies – they take the patients’ minds off why they are there, helping to relax them and to entertain them at exactly the right time. The entertainers bring joy and amusement to our patients from the very youngest to the adolescents. The families also benefit from seeing their children having a moment of pleasure away from their condition and their treatment. Cassie the pet therapy dog has done wonders with the children including those who were previously a little ‘dog-phobic’, and the fairies, magicians, singers and storytellers pitch their work perfectly for each child. It is a pleasure to work with such a well-organised and enthusiastic charity.”
IAN LUSH – Chief Executive of the Imperial College Healthcare Charity
If you would like to speak to a member of our team about Spread a Smile visiting your hospital, please contact Vanessa on 020 7482 5191 or vanessa@spreadasmile.org.