Spread a Smile today announces its newest partner, William Harvey Hospital, an NHS Hospital in Willesborough, Ashford in Kent. Seriously ill children and young people receiving treatment at the hospital, along with their families, are invited to join the Spread a Smile family and benefit from their services, including monthly in person visits to the Padua Paediatric Ward, visiting both inpatients and outpatients, virtual visits and treat drops.
Spread a Smile’s mission is to bring joy and laughter to as many seriously ill children as possible in NHS hospitals, clinical settings, hospices and homes across the UK. William Harvey Hospital joins 26 other major and speciality NHS hospitals and 2 hospice partners already supported by Spread a Smile, taking the charity one step closer to its aim.
The Spread a Smile team of talented entertainers, including musicians, artists, magicians and therapy dogs, will spend quality time with patients in hospital through one-to-one visits and group sessions. Patients and their families will also be able to access virtual online events and activity sessions, including art clubs, balloon modelling, music lessons and more, enabling the charity to see and support as many people as possible. All with the aim of spreading hundreds of smiles and a lot of happiness to children undergoing treatment for serious illness and their families.
Alongside Spread a Smile’s hospital visits and virtual sessions, children at William Harvey Hospital will be able to join special themed activity days celebrating seasonal occasions such as Easter and Christmas, plus family outings and events, giving seriously ill children and their families the opportunity to join in with fun and exciting experiences that they may otherwise not have access to.
Ailish O’Hara, Play Specialist at William Harvey Hospital said, “The partnership between Padua Ward and Spread a Smile is a relatively new one but already we can see an amazing impact on our ward. Patients big and small really benefit from the opportunity to talk, laugh and have fun with the Spread a Smile team. Both Jasmin and Louise are an absolute credit to the charity, and they ensure that each child’s experience is tailored to their Individual needs. Each time they visit they truly spread so much joy and fun!”
Laura Walter, Director of Services for Spread a Smile said of the partnership, “It is Spread a Smile’s mission to reach and support as many seriously ill children and young people as possible across the UK. We are therefore extremely proud of our new partnership with William Harvey Hospital and are looking forward to working closely with the hospital team to spread smiles where they are needed most.”
You can find out more about our work spreading smiles here.
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