Businesses Support Young Children in Hospital to Reduce Loneliness through Play

Birmingham businesses are supporting young children in hospital to reduce loneliness through play by making activity and playpacks.

BPCN (Birmingham PlayCare Network) are working with local businesses to create bespoke activity and playpacks shared with children in Birmingham Children’s Hospital through the NHS Ward Buddies pilot scheme.

Play Supporting Recovery

Long or frequent hospital stays bring emotional and psychological challenges to young children. Many children are left bored, withdrawn, and under-stimulated. With nurses focused on clinical care and parents often unable to be present, children can experience loneliness, reduced immunity, and slower recovery. There is strong evidence that play supports children’s health and recovery in hospital settings.

About NHS Ward Buddies

NHS Ward Buddies are trained, friendly volunteers who spend time with young children in hospital when parents or carers need to step away whether for a few hours or just to grab a breath of fresh air. They read stories, comfort through touch, play gentle games, simply be present – ensuring  parents or carers don’t feel guilty for stepping away to care for themselves – and that children know that they’re not alone.

Benefits of Activity and Playpacks

Activity and playpacks support NHS Ward Buddies to encourage children to play. There are several benefits of activity and playpacks including:

  • Reduced anxiety, stress and depression through distraction and emotional expression

  • Maintained and enhanced fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities

  • Reduced pain and medication needs associated with lower stress levels

  • Shortened hospital stays and better overall treatment outcomes documented in related research

  • Combatting loneliness and enhancing social connection through shared or facilitated play

  • Reduced caregiver stress contributing to a supportive care environment

 

Feedback from Ward Buddies

“He really enjoyed the sensory toys especially and enjoyed playing catch with some of the balls. They were very useful in distracting him during certain medical situations”. (Aged 2: Heart Ward)
“The backpacks have been a great way to surprise and connect with the kids. Patients and parents are always very thankful for the backpacks, so thankful that it often takes them some time to process that they can actually keep it! The patients often gravitate mostly towards the sensory toys and pencil case. The parents are always happy to have an extra backpack they can use too”.

BPCN Activity and Playpacks

Each bespoke BPCN activity and playpack contains:

  • A reading book
  • A custom play and craft magazine with video tutorials
  • Craft materials
  • Activity equipment
  • Puzzles
  • Stationery
  • Games
  • And more!

 

Business Support

Thanks to businesses who have provided support for the scheme so far including:

  • Art Cleaning
  • AWS
  • Elis
  • Hays
  • In Health
  • Medialogix
  • OCS/ Health Rota
  • SISK
  • Taylor Woodrow
  • Unity Trust
  • Veolia

 

Get Involved

BPCN are looking for more businesses and organisations to support the scheme through:

  • Funding – towards project costs and pack materials
  • Volunteering – to collate the packs
  • Delivery – to deliver packs to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital

If your business or organisation would like to support the BPCN Activity and Playpacks scheme, please contact Emma at BPCN: [email protected]

Further Information

 www.bpcn.org.uk

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