News

Join Our Team: We’re Hiring a Head of Operations

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We are excited to announce that we are hiring for a new Head of Operations to join our Services team. This senior role helps ensure our in-person and virtual services run safely, smoothly and to the highest standard.
Working closely with the Director of Services, the Head of Operations will lead a small team and be central to delivering the joyful, high-quality experiences that Spread a Smile brings to seriously ill children and their families.

About the Role
The Head of Operations is a leadership role responsible for ensuring the smooth, safe and effective delivery of Spread a Smile’s services across both in‑person hospital visits and virtual visits.
The postholder will provide operational leadership while remaining highly hands‑on, with direct oversight of systems, scheduling, compliance and day‑to‑day team management to ensure services are delivered to a consistently high standard.
As a senior member of the Services team, the postholder will ensure that every interaction, whether in hospital or online, is delivered with care, consistency and to an exceptional standard.

Laura Walter, Spread a Smile’s Director of Services, said:
“We are looking for a dynamic and compassionate leader to step into this vital role. Our Head of Operations plays a crucial part in ensuring our services reach the children and families who need us most. If you are someone who thrives on creating efficient systems and leading a motivated team to make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.”

Read the full job description

Apply here

We look forward to receiving your applications. If you have any queries or require reasonable adjustments, please email admin@spreadasmile.org

university of essex spread a smile research job

University of Essex Research Partnership

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We are delighted to announce an exciting new Knowledge Transfer Partnership for Spread a Smile with The University of Essex, funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency supporting business-led innovation and part of UK Research and Innovation.

The project will apply evidence-based research and expertise to assess and demonstrate the positive impact of Spread a Smile’s entertainers visiting seriously ill babies, children and young people in hospitals. It will also create an evaluation framework which altogether will enable the charity to optimise our service delivery, maximise impact, and increase income streams.

Through the partnership, Spread a Smile will be work closely with Dr ZhiMin Xiao, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at The University of Essex and Lead Academic for the research study. Joining them on the team are fellow Lecturer Dr Nestor Asiamah and a postgraduate researcher, recruited specifically for the project.

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive said, “This is an extremely important piece of work for Spread a Smile which will enable us to clearly understand and showcase the amazing impact and power of our work across the NHS hospitals we partner with and for the families with seriously ill children that we support.

“As a charity, we are committed to ensuring that our entertainers deliver the best and most appropriate service possible. This research project will help us do just that, ensuring we can reach families when they need us most, inspiring the public to support our work and helping us to deliver our strategic goal of delivering regular entertainment provision in all 26 specialist children’s hospitals across the UK by 2035.

“We are very much looking forward to working closely with Dr Xiao, Dr Asiamah and the team and our sincere thanks go to Innovate UK for generously funding the project and helping us to take this next step in our long-term plans for growth.”

Dr Xiao recently visited the Spread a Smile office to meet the team and talk more about next steps saying,

“I am very excited about the grant from Innovate UK and look forward to working with colleagues at Spread a Smile. Children and young people have always been the heart of my research. I study them online, in schools, families, communities, and court proceedings, about their education, development, health and wellbeing.

“This award allows us to study them in clinical settings, specialist hospitals across the country. For the first time, we do not have to wait a long time to estimate the impact of an intervention. We can also see and feel the impact shortly after the services that Spread a Smile are delivering to the wards for so many seriously ill children in the most difficult of times.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to work for a great cause, with a great charity. We just can’t wait to start the project.”

Applications are now open for this exciting postgraduate research opportunity and you can find all the details here. The closing date for applications is 11 February 2026.

To stay up to date with the project, how we are spreading smiles across the country and how you can support our work, please sign up to our monthly e-news.

Take on a Challenge for Spread a Smile in 2026

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Take on a Challenge and spread smiles in 2026

As we head into 2026, join us for one of our incredible fundraising challenge events, all designed to inspire, motivate and help ensure we can spread smiles to as many families as possible this year.

Getting running for Spread a Smile: Whether you’re looking to hit your first running target, or take on a greater distance, we have events across the country to suit every level. From the Women’s Run 5k and 10k in March, to the iconic Brighton Marathon in April and the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October, there is a finish line ready and waiting for you.

Running not your thing? Why not take part in the Great North Swim in June, with 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile, 5km and 10km distances. Or, if you’re looking for a thrill, take part in the 160ft Bungee Jump at Coram’s Field, in February and October 2026.

Take on a team triathlon with a difference: For those looking for a brilliant team challenge,  a join us for the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Triathlon on Saturday 12 September, in partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Charity which will see you cycle, kayak and hike through the stunning heart of Snowdonia

Looking for inspiration? Find more events on our website and sign up for your challenge today knowing that with every step, pedal and paddle you take, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds to support Spread a Smile’s work providing entertainment and joy to seriously ill children in hospital.

Have your own idea? If you’re hosting your own challenge, let us know at fundraising@spreadasmile.org so we can support your journey!

 

snowdon news story

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Team Triathlon

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Join us on 12 September 2026 for the incredible Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Challenge – a triathlon set in the heart of Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), where you will venture through some of the UK’s most breath-taking landscapes by bicycle, kayak and on foot.

This unique triathlon includes:

  • A 15km cycle through the scenic roads of Snowdonia
  • A 3km kayak across the stunning glacial lake, Llyn Padarn
  • A 15km hike to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via the Llanberis Path

This is not your average triathlon. Set against the dramatic Welsh landscape, the Yr Wyddfa Challenge offers a memorable and meaningful way to push yourself physically, enjoy spectacular landscapes all while raising vital funds to support Spread a Smile’s work bringing joy to young patients and their families.

The event is organised by Alder Hey Children’s Charity and, for the first time ever, brings together eight children’s charities – including Spread a Smile – for a shared fundraising challenge. Spread a Smile has been supporting Alder Hey with in-person entertainer hospital visits since December 2024, and we are proud to be taking part in this special event alongside other brilliant children’s charities.

Tasha Mann, Spread a Smile Events Manager says:
“This is such an exciting opportunity and a really special triathlon. The stunning Welsh scenery, the mix of hiking, kayaking and cycling – it’s not your usual challenge event. It’s the perfect plan to have in your 2026 calendar. Do it with a partner, a friend or a colleague, and show what you’re capable of – all while raising vital funds to spread smiles to seriously ill children and their families. Whether you’ve been personally touched by our work or simply believe in the cause, absolutely everyone is welcome – and all abilities are encouraged.”

By taking part, you’ll be joining an incredible community of supporters and helping us bring joy, distraction and moments of magic to children and young people facing serious illness.

Ready to take on the challenge?

Find out more and sign up by visiting our event page.

 

Christmas 2025 Spread a Smile round-up

 780 400 Susie
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For families supported by Spread a Smile, Christmas can be a particularly challenging time, with hospital stays, treatments, and uncertainty often overshadowing the festive season.

This Christmas, Spread a Smile supported more seriously ill children, young people and their families than ever before through our festive initiatives, thanks to the wonderful support of our supporters, volunteers, donors, corporate partners and many other organisations who have helped make everything possible. Here’s a roundup of how we’ll be spreading smiles when they are needed most this Christmas. You can also watch the film here.

More Smile Hampers than ever before
We sent out 2,000 personalised Smile Hampers to seriously ill children and their siblings in time for Christmas – an increase from 1,874 in 2024. Each one was full of gifts hand-picked with each child in mind, with our friends from DPD generously supporting us by picking up the hampers every week and delivering them directly to homes in time for Christmas.

It was a huge team effort, with 480 volunteers joining us over 6 weeks from Monday 3 November to Friday 12 December, giving up over 120 hours of support to hand-pick thousands of gifts for the Smile Hampers. Our supporters and corporate partners helped by buying and donating thousands of gifts for the hampers, making everything possible.

Supporting our hospital and hospice partners
During December we carried out 87 in-person visits (more than ever before) to our NHS hospital and hospice partners, helping to spread some festive cheer. This included:

  • 15 visits by Father Christmas and the Spread a Smile elves to 11 of our NHS Hospital partners, giving the opportunity for children spending time in hospital to meet Santa and the Spread a Smile elves;
  • Visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on Christmas Day generously funded by our friends at Whitepaper;
  • Support for Christmas Parties at 8 NHS hospital and one hospice partners (Helen & Douglas House).

A special virtual grotto for those unable to meet Santa in person
Our virtual Christmas Grotto gave children who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to meet Father Christmas in-person the chance to have a personalised online meet up with the big man himself. Running from 22, 23, 24 December (for families), we welcomed over 125 children to visit our grotto, and also organised hospital sessions for children at Leicester Children’s Hospital, Wrexham Hospital and The Grange Hospital.

Beautiful festive windows in NHS hospitals
Spread a Smile’s Head of Art, Marina Constantinou and our team of artists visited some of our NHS hospital partners, including Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, to paint 100 beautiful Winter and Christmas murals across the hospital wards, walls and windows, helping to brighten up the clinical spaces and spread some festive cheer for the families and staff there. Look out for murals at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, Maidenhead, University College Hospital (UCLH), Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), The Whittington Hospital, Kings College Hospital, St Marys Hospital and The Royal Brompton Hospital.

Christmas Gift Treat Drops
Alongside our Smile Hampers, we delivered boxes of gifts to all 39 of our NHS hospital partners. Each box was packed full of gifts to be handed out to seriously ill children and young people and help spread some festive cheer.

In total 10,000 gifts have been sent out to seriously ill children and their siblings, in our Smile Hampers and also in Christmas treat boxes. These have been donated by generous individuals and companies.

Virtual entertainer sessions
Spread a Smile is also running virtual entertainer visits for seriously ill children and their siblings, from magic to music art and more. They mean that the children we support can enjoy our services from wherever they live and are particularly important for those who are isolating at home and unable to spend time with others outside of the family home. This year we organised festive virtual group sessions for the families we support, bringing Christmas cheer directly into their homes and including ‘Stories with Santa’ on Christmas Eve.

Festive Family Events and Outings
winter funland spread a smileSpread a Smile runs a calendar of special events and outings for the families we support to enjoy, from West End theatre and cinema trips to chocolate and pottery workshops, brunches, afternoon teas and so much more. They give the families we support the chance to spend time making memories together without the worry of illness and treatment plans. In December we welcomed over 100 of the families we support to two special Christmas themed events – an afternoon tea at vegan restaurant, Mildreds, and also a trip to Winter Funland at Olympia London, for whom Spread a Smile is a charity partner.

In total, we’ll be spreading over 5,000 smiles this festive season, bringing joy, happiness and special festive moments to families with seriously ill children across the country.

Santa’s Grotto at Leicester Children’s Hospital

 780 400 Susie
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This year, we’ve been spreading festive cheer to seriously ill children and young people at Leicester Children’s Hospital through a special online Christmas Grotto, giving patients the chance to meet Father Christmas in the lead up to Christmas Day.

The festive season can be a very difficult time of year for children spending time in hospital, away from family and friends and unable to get involved with the seasonal build up, activities and events. By taking Santa’s Grotto online, children at Leicester Children’s Hospital were able to join in with the festive fun and share their Christmas lists directly with the big man himself.

Laura Walter, Spread a Smile’s Director of Services said, “The Spread a Smile elves and Father Christmas welcomed over 17 young patients, 19 family members and 2 members of hospital staff from Leicester Children’s Hospital to our magical virtual grotto on Wednesday 17 December, just in time for Christmas. Our charitable work is all about spreading joy, laughter and smiles to seriously ill children and young people when they are needed most. The grotto is our special way of making sure that children in hospital can enjoy the wonder of the season from their hospital beds. They were able to meet and talk with Father Christmas and enjoy music magic and more from our entertainer elves. We are extremely grateful to the hospital Play Team and ward staff for their help, energy and support delivering this wonderful initiative.”

Helen Hayles, Play Coordinator at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, said: “We are extremely grateful to Spread a Smile – they are a fantastic charity that we have worked with for several years now.

“They provide online activity sessions for patients throughout the year and monthly visits from their entertainers. We especially look forward to the annual Santa’s grotto, the response from the children when they see Santa is magical. Spread a smile really do spread joy and smiles to all.”

Every Christmas, Spread a Smile delivers a range of festive activities and initiatives for the families we support. This includes sending out 2,000 individual Smile Hampers packed full of hand-picked gifts for seriously ill children and their siblings, treat boxes full of gifts for patients at all 39 of the charity’s NHS hospital partners, in-hospital festive murals painted on ward windows, and more. Laura added, “It’s our aim to do everything we can to spread smiles, joy and happiness at this very special time of year, so that no one misses out on the festive fun.”

To find out more about Spread a Smile’s work and how you can get involved, please take a look here.

Spread a smile parliament

Spread a Smile in UK Parliament

 1024 576 Gabrielle Devine
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On Wednesday 17 December, Spread a Smile hosted a Parliamentary Drop-In event at the House of Commons, sponsored by Liam Conlon MP, to raise awareness of the vital role the charity plays in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of seriously ill children and young people in NHS hospitals.

Spread a Smile works in partnership with 39 NHS hospitals and 6 hospices, delivering in-person and virtual entertainer visits, art initiatives, sibling support and family events. The charity brings joy, distraction and moments of relief to children facing long stays in hospital, painful treatments and some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Liam Conlon MP has seen first-hand the impact of Spread a Smile’s work, having joined a hospital visit earlier this year at King’s College Hospital. Speaking at the event, he said:

“As someone who spent years in hospital as a teenager following a serious accident, I know how isolating and frightening hospital can feel. What Spread a Smile does is extraordinary. They bring joy and humanity into the toughest moments, helping children feel seen, supported and free to be children again, even in the midst of treatment. I was proud to host them in Parliament today so more MPs can understand the remarkable difference they make for families across the country.”

A family supported by Spread a Smile also attended the event to share their personal experience. Varun, now 22, received support from the charity at age 11 while undergoing treatment for stage 4 Osteosarcoma in 2014. Today, as a Young Ambassador for Spread a Smile, he was joined by his mum, Anita, who spoke about the difference the charity made during his treatment. We were also honoured to welcome two senior play specialists from leading London NHS hospitals, Tina Halton from St Mary’s and Irene O’Donnell from UCLH, who described the impact they see every day when Spread a Smile visits their wards. They highlighted how working in close collaboration with Spread a Smile ensures that children receive the most positive and supportive experience possible while in hospital, helping to restore moments of childhood when they need them most.

MPs from across the political spectrum attended the Drop-In to meet Spread a Smile’s team, learn about its work, and discuss the charity’s ambition to expand its services nationally. The charity’s goal is to deliver regular in-person entertainer visits to all 23 specialist children’s hospitals in England by 2030, and to all 28 across the UK by 2035.

Spread a Smile Chief Executive Lucy Jackson said:

“Every day, in hospitals across the UK, we meet children who are frightened, isolated, or enduring long and difficult treatment. Spread a Smile exists to bring light into those moments. Our work is a vital part of supporting children’s mental health in hospital, and demand for our services has never been higher.

“We are hugely grateful to Liam Conlon MP for championing our work and enabling us to share our impact with MPs from across the country. Their support will help us reach even more children and families who need us.”

Spread a Smile extends its thanks to Liam Conlon MP, to the families who shared their stories, and to all the MPs and Peers who attended.

winter funland spread a smile

A special evening at Winter Funland

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We recently had the pleasure of welcoming families supported by Spread a Smile to a special VIP opening evening at Winter Funland in London.

Guests were immersed in a spectacular winter wonderland, enjoying unlimited funfair rides, skating on the ice rink, taking in a festive circus show, and exploring all the other festive delights the event had to offer.

As the charity partner for Winter Funland 2025 – one of Europe’s largest indoor Christmas family extravaganzas – Spread a Smile is proud to provide such a memorable festive experience for the families we support. We are immensely grateful to everyone at Winter Funland for their generosity and for helping us bring smiles to seriously ill children and their families during a time of year that can be especially challenging.

The families we invited had a fantastic evening as VIP guests, sharing quality time together and enjoying everything this wonderful winter celebration had to offer, with some parents saying:

“Thank you SO MUCH!  The beautiful sparkle in our children’s eyes were absolutely heart warming to see. Thank you for all you do, you are phenomenal!”

“Thank you so much for lovely evening. The whole family specially the little ones had such an amazing magical evening. Thank you for everything.”

This event perfectly illustrates how, with the support of our incredible partners, we can create moments of joy, laughter, and connection for children living with serious illness and their families.

To explore partnership opportunities with Spread a Smile and help make a real difference, contact our Head of Partnerships, Lucy Chesney, at lucychesney@spreadasmile.org

Write to your local MP

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Spread a Smile is delighted to be hosting a special drop-In event for MPs and Peers at the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 December.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to raise awareness of the vital support we provide to seriously ill children and their families – but we need your help to make sure as many MPs attend as possible.

You can make a real difference by writing to your local MP inviting them to come along. To make it easy, we’ve put together a template letter and a link to help you find your MP’s contact details – it only takes a couple of minutes.

Your voice makes a big difference – MPs really listen to the experiences of their local constituents. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word.

Write to your MP today!

spread a smile newsletter

Our November e-newsletter is here!

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Thanks to the amazing support of our volunteers and partners, We’ve been getting ready to spread smiles this Christmas, packing 2,000 festive Smile Hampers for young patients and their siblings. We also launched our Christmas Appeal, inviting supporters to win some incredible prizes while raising vital funds to support our work.

November has also seen over 250 brand-new books delivered to 15 NHS hospitals for our PICU Libraries, and we were proud to increase our visits to Evelina London Children’s Hospital to weekly. We are also happy to be expanding our services into the NICU at Queen Charlotte Hospital through our partnership with @Cosmic.

We enjoyed a hilarious 6th annual Comedy Night with Suzi Ruffell at the Comedy Store, and our 7th Real Estate Dinner at Uncommon with guest speaker Gary Neville was a highlight.

Catch up on our latest news for November here.

Want to receive it straight to your inbox each month? Sign up here.