First in-person visit to Wales
https://spreadasmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/C-2606-Hospital-Wrexham-MP-visit-Group-Shot-2-1024x771.jpg 1024 771 Hannah Myers Hannah Myers https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fed07b715e69c8b6d60438635e53ede9b7f2284faa500e7724c6b74a8aedd0eb?s=96&d=mm&r=gWe were delighted to make our first ever in-person visit to Wales on Friday 5 June, with a special entertainer visit to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Joined by our Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson, our fairy and magicians visited seriously ill children across the paediatric ward and playroom, bringing moments of laughter, connection and joy.
We were also delighted to welcome Wrexham Member of Parliament, Andrew Ranger MP, alongside Members of the Senedd, Ken Skates MS, Sam Rowlands MS, Cristiana Emsley MS and Nigel Williams MS. Together, they spent time with our entertainers and the hospital and play team, seeing first-hand the positive impact that Spread a Smile makes through play, creativity and connection for children and young people in hospital.
The visit marked a special milestone in a partnership that began during the Covid pandemic. Since October 2021, Spread a Smile has delivered dedicated fortnightly virtual entertainment sessions for patients at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, with the play team taking an iPad bed to bed so that children can enjoy one-to-one time with our entertainers. Patients have also joined our virtual group sessions, while long-term patients and their families have been supported through home visits and special gift hampers.
The team at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, said: “Time in hospital can be long and frightening for a child, and the visits from Spread a Smile give our patients something to genuinely look forward to. Having the entertainers here in person was a real treat for the children and their families, and it was wonderful to share the day with our local representatives.”
Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of Spread a Smile, added: “Wales has been part of Spread a Smile for nearly four years, so to finally be at the bedside in person at Wrexham Maelor means a great deal to us. Watching a child who has been having a tough day light up when a magician or our singing fairy arrives is something I never tire of.
“Our thanks go to the play team, who have championed this partnership from the very start, and to the children and families who made us so welcome.”
A special thank you to Andrew Ranger MP, Ken Skates MS, Sam Rowlands MS, Cristiana Emsley MS and Nigel Williams MS. Also, to the Play Team and staff at Wrexham Maelor for helping to make the day such a success.