KCHC Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 Spreads - Flipbook - Page 12
How did we do?
Bringing comfort and joy to
young patients and their families
For children and their families, the hospital environment can
be stressful and overwhelming, compounding what can o昀琀en be
a challenging time in their lives– or perhaps just a particularly
dreaded appointment. Making life a li琀琀le easier, brighter, and more
comfortable, several projects commi琀琀ed to in previous years have
come to fruition in 2024-25. They bring calm, safety and joy to those
going through the worst of times or having the most stressful of days.
Bringing fun and play to the children’s
wards
Kevin Farrell, Matron on the Princess Elizabeth & Lion
Ward said:
For children in hospital, incorporating fun, play and
joy into their day is a necessity – to boost morale, aid
recovery and relaxation, and to just let children be
children.
Play is an extremely important
part of a child’s recovery when in
hospital.
That’s why we’ve transformed the playroom on
the Princess Elizabeth and Lion Children’s Ward at
King’s, giving sick children the space to unwind and
play away from the clinical environment – which is
especially crucial for children spending months at a
time in hospital.
The space was transformed from a cramped, cluttered
and tired room that was particularly uninspiring to
older teens, to an airy space suitable for all children
and young people on the ward. It was fitted with a
bespoke play table as well as a cosy cupboard where
children can sit and take some time out.
The playroom is now a great space for children,
young people and their families to use when needed,
to get away from their bed spaces and play.”
The room encourages children and families to
participate in play by providing stimulation through
colour and light. The colourful hand-painted mural
brings some much-needed brightness to children’s
days. It was designed particularly with the needs
of neurodivergent children in mind, making it an
inclusive space for all. Designers also incorporated
feedback from patients, parents, ward staff and play
specialists.
Scarlett, a young patient
pictured below, enjoying
the newly decorated
playroom
12
S U P P O R T K I N G S .O R G .U K
