At Spread a Smile, we pride ourselves on offering a range of bespoke, engaging and inclusive family events for children and young people of all ages who are affected by serious illness. We recently hosted a very special ‘teen’ event for some of the teenagers we support, giving them the chance to relax, spend time together, and enjoy a fun evening out.
For many teenagers living with a serious illness, long hospital stays and intensive treatments often mean missing out on important social milestones. Healthcare systems are often tailored toward younger children or older adults, which can create a gap for teenagers at a critical stage of discovering their independence. By hosting teen events, we aim to bridge this gap, offering a necessary break from clinical environments and giving them a relaxed and welcoming space to be themselves.
The night took place at the MET Lounge, a rooftop venue with breath-taking views over the London skyline, providing a gorgeous setting for our VIP guests. We had a live DJ set taking song requests, while our host, Collette, sang along and did a brilliant job of keeping the energy up and getting everyone involved.
There was a wide range of activities for the teens to enjoy throughout the evening. Guests captured memories in the photobooth and got creative designing their own canvases and mugs. Others took part in board games, a quiz full of laughter, and enjoyed incredible magic tricks from our entertainers.
Guests sang along to their favourite tracks, from Wicked to Sabrina Carpenter, with the incredibly talented electric violinist Stringz playing live alongside the music, which was a real moment to remember. Another highlight came from our entertainer, Judge the Poet, who somehow managed to create a rhyming poem using the young guests’ chosen words: “6-7”, perpendicular, Tottenham, banana, and house.
It was a wonderful evening and an important milestone for Spread a Smile, and we look forward to hosting more events that bring joy to young people living with serious illness.
To learn more about our services for seriously ill children or to enquire about access, please click here to find out more.
Events like these are only possible thanks to the support of our donors and partners. Please donate today. Thank you
