Walsall Manor Hospital Celebrates Play in Healthcare Week with Themed Activities
Young patients enjoyed a week of fun, creativity, and special surprises, highlighting the importance of therapeutic play in recovery.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
AI
Children's ward at Walsall Manor Hospital decorated for Play in Healthcare Week with Toy Story and Disney themes.
Walsall Manor Hospital hosted a successful Play in Healthcare Week, featuring themed activities and special events for young patients across various departments.
Young patients at Walsall Manor Hospital experienced a week filled with fun and creativity during the annual Play in Healthcare Week. The event underscored the crucial role of play specialists and therapeutic play in aiding children's recovery from hospital stays and treatments.
Throughout the week, children in the Children’s Ward, Paediatric Outpatients, Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), and Emergency Department participated in a variety of themed activities. Health Play Specialist Emma Lester, alongside Play Facilitators Toni Harris and Jayne Rogers, orchestrated daily special events.
The week commenced with the Ward 21 Play Team receiving the Health Play Team of the Year 2026 award at the Starlight Health Play Awards. Tuesday was transformed into a Toy Story and Disney-themed day, featuring a visit from entertainer Dizzy Kizzy. Wednesday brought a Pirates and Princesses Day, complete with themed activities and a special princess visit. This day also saw a toy donation from Millfield Rose Care Home, presented by Kiran Chaggar-Smith and Rebecca Williamson.
Thursday was dedicated to creativity with a Craft Day, supported by funding from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity, Well Wishers, and other generous supporters. The celebrations concluded on Friday with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which included storytelling by Fundraising Manager Georgie Westley, accompanied by the charity mascot Humphrey, along with crafts and snacks.
Trey, a 12-year-old patient on Ward 21, found the activities beneficial, stating, “It has taken my mind off things and been really cool. It was great to receive a present as well.”
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"Play is a vital part of a child’s healthcare journey. It helps reduce anxiety, supports emotional wellbeing and allows children to continue being children, even when they are in hospital. Play in Healthcare Week gives us a fantastic opportunity to create positive experiences, bring smiles to our patients and showcase the incredible impact therapeutic play can have on recovery and wellbeing. We are incredibly grateful to everyone supporting the week through donations, visits and activities."
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"Seeing the smiles on children’s faces throughout the week has been wonderful and it was a lovely experience reading to the children and seeing their smiles. Thanks to the generosity of our Well Wishers supporters, including Milfield Rose, we have been able to help fund activities that make a real difference to young patients and their families during their time in hospital. We are proud to support initiatives that bring comfort, joy and positive experiences to children receiving care at Walsall Manor Hospital."
