A dedicated team that has revolutionised the use of play to support young patients through treatment and recovery at Walsall Manor Hospital has been honoured with a national award. The Ward 21 Play Team was announced as Health Play Team of the Year 2026 at the Starlight Health Play Awards on Monday 5 October. These awards celebrate outstanding individuals and teams who use play to enhance children’s experiences within healthcare settings.
Starlight, a leading UK charity focused on children’s play in healthcare, organises the awards annually during Play in Healthcare Week (5-9 October 2026). The initiative aims to highlight how play can effectively reduce fear, pain, and trauma during a child’s treatment and recovery from illness, recognising those who excel in this vital field.
The team, which includes Health Play Specialist Emma Lester and Play Facilitator Toni Harris (currently training to become a HPS), was commended by colleagues for integrating play as a fundamental aspect of children’s care, moving beyond its perception as a mere pastime. The nomination came from two colleagues at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust: Consultant Community Paediatrician Milena Sirakova and Associate Director of Patient Voice Garry Perry. They stated, “What sets this team apart is not only the range of activities they deliver, but the intent behind them. Every interaction is purposeful – aimed at improving physical health, emotional wellbeing and overall experience.”
Observing that some children spent prolonged periods in bed, becoming disengaged and increasingly reliant on screens during hospital stays, the team developed a structured Eat, Drink, Move to Improve programme. This initiative incorporates creative and physical activities designed to encourage children to leave their beds, engage in movement, socialise, and maintain some semblance of their daily routines while hospitalised.
The programme has demonstrably helped children become more active, reduced anxiety and feelings of isolation, and fostered opportunities for young patients and their families to build connections during what can be a challenging and unsettling time. Toni Harris commented on the initiative: “It’s been therapeutic and beneficial for children’s development because it normalises the hospital environment. We’ve had siblings and parents joining in, with friendships forming not just between patients but between parents as well, so they feel less alone.”
Furthermore, the team provides specialised support for children facing potentially frightening or uncomfortable examinations and procedures. Colleagues specifically highlighted their work in supporting highly anxious and neurodiverse children during general examinations, child protection medical examinations, and blood tests, particularly for children with needle phobias and developmental delays.
Emma Lester shared her perspective: “Hospitals can be such a scary place for children. We use play in all sorts of ways to help children get through frightening or uncomfortable procedures. It’s about understanding things from the child’s point of view. We try to give children a more positive experience, whether that’s offering them choices, using distraction or just taking the time to explain properly what is going to happen.”
In one notable case, the team assisted an autistic child who was experiencing severe anxiety that prevented him from walking to Theatre for dental treatment. Instead of rescheduling, the team arranged a preparatory visit, using the child's interest in Pokémon to explain the process step-by-step. Emma Lester added, “When his next appointment came round, he sailed through it.” The team has also found success in helping children take medicine via syringe by using flavoured drinks for familiarisation and desensitisation, and employing games and children’s interests as distractions during blood tests and cannulation to alleviate fear and anxiety.
The team's innovative approach has also influenced the broader hospital workforce. They now contribute to induction sessions for new doctors, explaining the role of health play professionals and how they can support children before, during, and after medical procedures. Emma Lester noted, “People can assume it’s ‘just play’, when in reality it includes preparation, distraction and post-procedural support tailored to each child’s needs. We’re starting to see doctors understand more about when and how to call on us for support, and we’d like that awareness to keep growing across the wider healthcare team.”
Looking ahead, once Toni Harris qualifies as a Health Play Specialist, she and Emma Lester aim to expand the service to seven days a week and develop dedicated preparation sessions for children anticipating surgery, blood tests, and other procedures.
Upon winning the award, Emma Lester expressed her feelings: “It’s overwhelming, but amazing. It still feels a bit like imposter syndrome because it’s just our job, and you don’t always stop to notice you’re doing something well until someone else points it out.”
Lisa Carroll, Chief Nursing Officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, stated: “We are so proud of our Play Team here in Walsall and colleagues fully deserve this national award in recognition of their dedication and compassion towards our young patients and their families. They consistently go the extra mile to ensure children and young people have the best possible experience during their time with us and also work hard to develop new approaches and ideas. They are an asset to our Trust!”
Cathy Gilman, Starlight’s CEO, commented: “The Ward 21 Play Team shows just how important play can be as part of children’s healthcare. Emma and Toni are not simply providing activities – they are using their skills and creativity to reduce anxiety, support procedures, encourage movement and recovery, and help children regain some of the normality that can be lost when they are in hospital. Their work is also helping change the culture around play, demonstrating to the wider healthcare team that it can make a meaningful difference to children’s care and experience. We are delighted to recognise their creativity, compassion and commitment by naming them Starlight’s Health Play Team of the Year 2026.”
