A busy day in the community but ended on a creative afternoon for staff to reflect on their year and hope for 2023.

⭐️Children’s Mental Health Week ⭐️ Everyone has a voice and deserves to be listened too. It’s ok being not ok and asking for help.

Playing in the community can be just as fun as in other settings. This morning we focused on sensory play with footprints, bubbles, sound book & light up toys. Later today we have sibling support sessions painting & colouring in. #PlayMattersInTheCommunity

I love watching families unite and work together. I was in awe of a non-verbal child communicating with her mum and her mum knowing exactly what she needed. Sometimes we just need to understand. #CommunityPlayMatters

Play is for everyone. Today we had sensory play and pre birthday celebrations with a special little boy. This afternoon we have sibling support, with cupcake decorating, bike riding and a competitive game of Dobble.

Thank you Molly Ollys for our delivery of Olly the Brave Toy Lion and the book series. A really helpful resource for play specialists to have and work with 😊

Play is for everyone. Today’s sibling session started off with creating a creative space and ended with some competitive games. #PlayIsNeed

It’s here! A collection of international stories of Play in Hospitals. Full of powerful stories of children’s experiences. So proud of Nicky Everett, @CathHubbuck, Fraser & all contributors. A project that started during lockdown has been realised! #article31 #playinhospitals

Play in the community can be so varied. Today I done a meaningful session with a child who had lots of worries about their diagnosis. Then I done a sensory session with a child who is non verbal with complex needs. Both children had opportunities to express themselves & play.

Today my worry monster was used to relieve concerns. Then we got creative with a 3D model & decorating biscuits. Finishing off with a competitive game of Dobble. #PlayMattersInTheCommunity

Play in the community can be just as fun. We started the week off with sensory play- exploring water beads and capturing memories with foot printing. We also had our bubble machine out. Starlight @CathHubbuck #PIHW #PlayMatters

Today’s play in the community was focusing on sensory stimulation and fine motor skills. The frog massager is very popular amongst the children and young people. #PIHW

What I love most about play in the community is the time we get to spend with the children and young people, hearing their views & working through their feelings/emotions alongside the opportunity to get creative. #PIHW #PlayMatters

Thank you Rays of Sunshine for the sensory bags. These will really help our complex needs patients who have limited mobility 😊

Raining days are great for foil pictures- first time doing this pictures and the young people gave feedback she would like do this activity again. #PlayMatters

🎟️ You're invited to the Starlight Health Play Webinar on ‘Play and Palliative Care’! 🕒 Wednesday 17th Jan, 12:30 - 13:30 The webinar will provide an analysis of this type of care + the crucial role that play teams play in it. 👉🏽 Secure your place: starlightchildren.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56…

💡 Our next health play webinar is taking place on Wednesday 10 July at 12:30pm - 1:30 pm! We'll be sharing the new health play workforce development strategy that we recently launched at the SoHPS Society of Health Play Specialists annual conference. 👉 Secure your place: ow.ly/3SAM50SpP8i

NTPN are hosting an in person event for healthcare play staff in the region. Please note that you must work in the North Thames region to attend this event. We will have a mix of speakers and time to network and chat! Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend

Hot off the press - our #PIHW2024 report is here! Our report continues to explore the critical relationships between the paucity of health play in hospital and the increased risk of mental health problems. 🧸 👉 Find out more: starlight.org.uk/play-in-health…

Ending a busy week with delivering a workshop explaining my role as a play specialist in the community and how I support children and young people with complex needs #PlayMatters