New NHS Hospital Partner in Leicester

350 175 Viv Levene

We are delighted to announce that we have a new NHS hospital partner – Leicester Children’s Hospital.

From this month the Spread a Smile team and entertainers will be working with the trust’s Play Specialist Team to provide enhanced play activities and entertainment to children under the hospital’s care.  Activities so far have included virtual entertainer visits and treat drops.

Sally Shepherd, Leicester Children’s Hospital Play Coordinator, said: “As a play team working through the pandemic we have faced huge challenges in the way we work with our children and young people. It has been more important than ever to create positive experiences for our patients and their families. The support that we have received from Spread a Smile to do this has been amazing. 

“The Spread a Smile team arranged sessions that are tailored to the patients’ ages, level of understanding and individual needs and it has been so rewarding to see the positive impact that they have during and after a session. We are so grateful to Spread a Smile for the wonderful work that they do – it has made our job so much easier!”

Rosemarie, Teddy’s mum, said, “The virtual sessions have been an amazing distraction for when Teddy (aged 6) hasn’t had the energy to get out of bed and play with his toys. His treatment has been intense and these sessions have made him smile!”