Spread a Smile was founded in 2013 by Josephine Segal MBE and Vanessa Crocker MBE after seeing the positive impact a magician’s visit had on Josephine’s young nephew, Aaron, during his treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
During his treatment Aaron had become increasingly withdrawn, so Josephine arranged for a magician to visit which had the most remarkable effect. Aaron’s spirits were lifted and his treatment became more bearable and as a result, Aaron asked if magicians could also visit friends that he’d met on the ward but hospital regulations made this impossible. Undeterred, Josephine promised Aaron she would find a way to make it happen and she teamed up with friend and former colleague Vanessa Crocker. Working closely with GOSH, they founded Spread a Smile.
From those early days, word spread and demand grew and now Spread a Smile works with 39 NHS partner hospitals and six hospices, providing in-person and virtual entertainer visits, family events and art initiatives. In March 2020, the charity launched Smile TV, offering digital entertainment for thousands of hospitalised children day and night.
In December 2016 Josephine and Vanessa’s achievements were acknowledged by Prime Minister Theresa May with a Points of Light award which recognises outstanding volunteers who continue to make a change in their community and inspire others. In 2017, Spread a Smile was awarded Best Charity at The Sun’s inaugural Who Cares Wins Health Awards.
Both Josephine and Vanessa were awarded MBEs in The King’s 2024 New Year Honours for services to seriously and terminally ill children and their families.
