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Hannah Myers

Mental Health Awareness Week

 1024 683 Hannah Myers
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This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the importance of emotional wellbeing for seriously ill children and their families at Spread a Smile.

At Spread a Smile, supporting the emotional wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families is at the heart of everything we do. Alongside the medical treatment children are receiving, we believe emotional support, connection and moments of joy are just as important during some of the most challenging times families can face.

Serious illness can turn worlds upside down. Long hospital stays, intensive treatment and time away from home place enormous pressure on the wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their families. Families are often separated from loved ones, daily routines and the experiences that make up a typical childhood, leading to feelings of isolation, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion.

Through our family-centred approach, Spread a Smile provides support during treatment and recovery. From in-person hospital visits that bring laughter, creativity and connection, to family events and outings that create precious shared memories, and virtual entertainer sessions that offer comfort wherever families are, we remain committed to being there whenever we are needed most.

The impact of this work is reflected in our latest impact report, with 100% of healthcare professionals saying Spread a Smile visits have a positive impact on patients’ mental health and wellbeing.*

Our 2026 Parent, Carer and Patient Survey also highlighted the difference these visits make:**

  • 100% of children and young people said a visit made them feel happy
  • 99% said our entertainer visits made their time in hospital better
  • 98% said the visit improved their child’s hospital experience
  • 100% said Spread a Smile brought joy to their child
  • 90% of parents and carers felt supported during visits
  • 93% said visits helped ease stress

Laura Walter, Director of Services at Spread a Smile, said, “At Spread a Smile, we see first-hand the emotional impact serious illness has on children, young people and their families. It can be isolating, exhausting and overwhelming as families adjust to a new way of living.

“Our family-centred approach supports wellbeing through in-person hospital visits bringing joy and connection, family events and outings creating time together as a family, and virtual sessions so families can access support wherever they are. We remain committed to supporting emotional wellbeing alongside medical care.”

One parent shared, “Spread a Smile is an amazing charity. Brightening up multiple hospital admissions we have had and also at home. Spread a Smile really does pick you up when you’re feeling the world is against you.”

Another said, “Spread a Smile has made such an incredible difference in my son’s life. When they arrive in hospital, everything changes — his face lights up with pure joy. For a while, the pain and worry fade away.”

Mila added, “Spread a Smile take a bleak day and fill it with so much colour… it has almost completely replaced the bleakness.”

Just £30 could help fund an entertainer visit to a seriously ill child at their hospital bedside.

Donate Now

* Collated from the Spread a Smile Healthcare Professional Survey 2024 

** Collated from the Spread a Smile Parent/Carer/Patient Survey 2026 

Young Committee Event

 780 400 Hannah Myers
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Spread a Smile’s Young Committee hosted a sold-out pub quiz on 6 May 2026, raising £734 to support the charity’s work bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children and young people across the UK.

Held at Uncommon, the event welcomed 60 guests for an evening of fundraising, networking and friendly competition in support of Spread a Smile. The successful event was organised by the newly formed Young Committee under the leadership of new co-chairs Aaron Maurice and Joshua Maurice.

The Young Committee was established to help raise funds and awareness for Spread a Smile, while also providing ideas and insight, relevant to younger audiences and supporters. The committee is made up of ambassadors who have been personally impacted by the charity’s work and are passionate about inspiring the next generation to support Spread a Smile.

Aaron’s connection to the charity is especially meaningful, having been the inspiration behind how Spread a Smile first began more than 13 years ago. Aaron and Joshua are also nephews of one of Spread a Smile’s co-founders, Josephine Segal, making their involvement with the Young Committee deeply personal.
Aaron and Joshua said:

“We are both grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to chair the Spread a Smile Young Committee and inspire the next generation of supporters of a charity that means so much to us.

“To see our first event sell out and bring together 60 supporters was incredibly special, and we cannot thank our amazing committee members enough for all of their hard work, enthusiasm and support in making the evening such a success.

“Spread a Smile has a close, personal connection to both of us, and the Young Committee is a way for us to give back to a charity that has transformed our lives, our family’s and the lives of children across the country.

“This is the start of a long journey for us, and we’re looking forward to growing a network of like-minded, charity-focused people who want to use their careers as a platform to make a positive impact on the world.”

Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of Spread a Smile, added:

“We are incredibly proud and grateful for the support of Spread a Smile’s inspiring Young Committee. Together, they are helping us to reach new audiences, raise vital funds and share our work to help build the next generation of the Spread a Smile family.

“Huge congratulations to all of the committee members, and especially to Aaron and Joshua, who recently took on the role of co-chairs and have truly hit the ground running through a brilliant first event.”

The funds raised from the event will help Spread a Smile continue spreading joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families.

If you would like to find out more about fundraising for Spread a Smile, please email fundraising@spreadasmile.org

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