Posts Tagged :

family events

Underground Cookery School

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We recently treated a group of 13 young people we support to a very special day out at the Underground Cookery School, giving them the chance to step away from clinical settings, spend time together and learn new skills in a supportive environment.

The session was designed to be hands-on, relaxed and fun. With guidance from expert chefs, the young people learned how to make authentic bolognese and fresh pasta from scratch, as well as chocolate soufflés. Not only was the experience enjoyable, but everyone picked up practical cooking skills they can use at home, and all the guests did an amazing job.

While waiting for their delicious pasta to cook, the group enjoyed a food-themed quiz, before finally sitting down together to tuck into the meal they had made.

For teenagers living with serious illness, extended hospital stays and ongoing treatment can often mean missing out on social time, shared experiences and opportunities to build independence. Many services are designed with much younger children or adults in mind, which can leave teenagers and young people with fewer chances to connect with others their age in a comfortable, informal setting. Experiences like this cookery day play an important role in creating space for teenagers living with or recovering from serious illness to relax, build friendships and enjoy time together away from medical environments.

One parent shared:

“I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for organising such a fantastic event for the children. It was clear how much thought, effort, and care went into every detail, and it truly made for a memorable experience.

Both Nally and Zara had an amazing time. From the activities to the atmosphere, everything was so well put together, and it was wonderful to see the children so engaged and happy.

We really appreciate all the hard work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen. Events like this make such a positive difference, and we’re very grateful.

Thank you once again, and we look forward to future events!”

At Spread a Smile, we pride ourselves on offering bespoke, engaging and inclusive events for children and young people living with serious illness. By creating these shared experiences, we help provide moments of normality, connection and joy for young people and their families, when they need it most.

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Artplay workshop spread a smile

Spreading Smiles at our first pottery workshop

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
By:

We recently welcomed 16 young patients to a pottery workshop at ArtPlay in Spitalfields Market. The children and young people began with a playful pottery game to get creative juices flowing before moving on to sculpting their own unique creations – from mugs and pots to an absolutely adorable sausage dog!

At Spread a Smile, we’re always looking for new and engaging activities for our Family Events that reflect the wide-ranging interests of the children and young people  we support. Covering everything from music and magic to arts and crafts, cooking, cake decorating, theatre and cinema trips, and more, we provide fun opportunities for families to have fun together doing something they enjoy.

This was our first pottery workshop, and it was a joy to see everyone so focused, creative, and proud of their finished pieces. The smiles, laughter, and excitement throughout the day perfectly captured what Spread a Smile is all about. Moments like these are so important for children living with serious illness – they provide a chance to be imaginative, have fun, and spend precious time with their families while connecting with peers who are on similar journeys.

Workshops like these are only possible thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners. With your help, we can continue to provide events and outings  that bring joy and comfort to seriously ill children and their families. If you would like to support our work, please consider making a donation – thank you.

Half-Term Events for Families

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
By:

During October half-term, we were delighted to host two very special events for the families we support,  made possible thanks to support from our incredible supporters and partners.

A Creative Day at The LEGO Group’s London Office

On Monday 28 October, 17 families joined us at the LEGO Group’s London Office in London for a fabulous Lilo & Stitch-themed day. We’re proud to have been working with our friends from the LEGO Group for a number of years through a range of family events, volunteering opportunities and support initiatives. Families enjoyed a packed schedule of activities, including hands-on LEGO® building, arts and crafts, face painting, and magical entertainment from one of Spread a Smile’s brilliant magicians. There were also plenty of delicious treats to keep energy levels high.

It was a wonderful day of creativity and fun, with the LEGO volunteers brilliantly leading each activity and engaging with the patients and their families. It was filled with joyful, special family moments – something that can be hard to find when managing everything that comes with serious illness.

Lilo & Stitch at Everyman Cinema

Later in the week, 20 families joined us at Everyman Cinema, London for another Lilo & Stitch-themed event watching the brand-new live-action film. Before the screening, families were treated to a lively pre-screen party with magic from one of Spread a Smile’s amazing entertainers, singing, a quiz, and, of course, pizza and snacks for everyone to enjoy. The experience gave families a chance to enjoy the simple magic of a trip to the cinema – something that can often be out of reach while navigating treatment schedules and hospital stays.

We know that school holidays can add extra layers when looking after children, so our events and virtual sessions aim to support families with seriously ill children during these times, giving access to fun and distracting activities and a chance for families to make memories and spend quality time.

Our thanks to the LEGO Group for their ongoing and valuable support, helping us create such wonderfully engaging events for the families we work with. Also, to Everyman Cinema always making our VIP guests feel so welcome.

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The Lion King Spread a Smile Theatre Trip 2025

A Day of Pride at The Lion King

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
By:

The team at Spread a Smile recently had the pleasure of welcoming 15 young patients and their families to watch The Lion King at London’s Lyceum Theatre as part of our family events programme. It was an incredible day out for the families who joined us, offering them a chance to enjoy a fun day out away from the day-to-day worries an stress that often accompany serious illness.

Our guests were treated to a special pre-show party in the Ambassadors Lounge with pizza, Lola’s cupcakes, snacks and of course entertainment from Spread a Smile’s talented entertainers including magic, fairies, guitarist, face painting and arts and crafts – plus a Lion King themed quiz! As always, the room was filled with so much happiness and it really set the scene before our families headed in to the theatre to watch the show.

The families then headed into the theatre to enjoy the show. They got ice creams in the interval and then a special treat after the show with a brilliant meet and greet with Simba, Nala and Scar from the cast! Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces was a perfect end to the day.

The magic of our family events is best captured by the families who attend them, and Caroline, a mother who joined us for the day with her children, shared this message:  “I just wanted to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to everybody at Spread a Smile for the day out at The Lion King. We were all definitely smiling at the end of the day and the whole family had a great time.  We really appreciated the team and being made to feel so special. Thank you! “

Every year, Spread a Smile organises a calendar of family focused events which aim to support young patients, their parents, carers and siblings and bring moments of respite, joyful experiences and enduring memories at the most challenging of times. We are so grateful to everyone at the Lyceum Theatre and the cast of The Lion King for their wonderful support and helping to make the day so special. Also, to Lola’s Cupcakes for providing such delicious treats.

We couldn’t continue to provide these events without the support and generosity of our donors, fundraisers and corporate partners. To find out more about how you can get involved and support our vital work, please take a look here . Thank you.

 

 

 

Afternoon tea at Riding House Cafe Bloomsbury

Afternoon tea party at Riding House Café

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
By:

We were delighted to welcome 14 young people and their families to Riding House Café in Bloomsbury for a delicious afternoon tea this week. Guests enjoyed a beautiful selection of tea, sandwiches and cakes, with Spread a Smile entertainers, magician Nick and Fairy Jo bringing additional laughter and fun.

These special events provide a break for the families we support, providing a chance to relax, have fun and enjoy quality time together.

For young patients, these events also provide a vital chance to socialise with others, which is particularly important when long hospital stays mean time away from school. In addition, families have a great opportunity to connect and find support from others who are on a similar journey.

Our family events are at the heart of what we do at Spread a Smile. We understand the profound impact that long hospital stays have on every family member, and these events provide a much-needed day of fun, respite, and relaxation for patients, siblings, and their parents.

We are incredibly grateful to our partners, such as Riding House Café, for their support in making these events happen. Their partnership is invaluable, as they not only enable these events but also provide ongoing support by adding a 25p donation to each customer’s bill, helping raise vital funds and allows us to bring joy to more children and families.

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