Play Week promises lots of fun for young patients at The Royal Oldham Hospital

Play Team at The Royal Oldham Hospital

Being in hospital might not sound much fun when you’re a child. However, Play Week at The Royal Oldham Hospital promises to offer a whole lot of fun for some of the hospital’s youngest patients.

The hospital will be celebrating National Play in Hospital Week (8 – 14 October) with lots of fun activities to raise awareness of the importance that play has in the treatment of sick young children. As part of the celebrations, the play team at the hospital are planning a whole week of activities and events. 

Fun activities planned at the hospital for Play Week include:

• Monday 8 October: Morning – Biscuit Decorating; Afternoon – Singing / Story time
• Tuesday 9 October: Morning – Decorate a Pom Pom; Afternoon – Lola’s Kids Mascots
• Wednesday 10 October: Morning – Treasure Hunt; Afternoon – Place the Cherry on the Cake
• Thursday 11 October: Morning – Merlin the Magician; Afternoon – Lucinda’s Princesses
• Friday 12 October: Morning – Visit from Maverick (Dog); Afternoon – Hospital Role Play

Other fun activities and games are also planned throughout the week.

Louise Gallagher, Hospital Play Specialist at the Royal Oldham explains why play is so important in the care, treatment and recovery of sick children: “It’s generally accepted that play is a vital part of the growth and development of all children. It helps them to learn, explore, develop relationships and make sense of the world around them. For children and young people in hospital, this can be even more important to their overall health and wellbeing.

“Play can really make a difference to children in hospital. When children are admitted to hospital, they are often separated from their family, friends and normal surroundings and this can be a time when they feel most vulnerable. Having fun and getting involved with play activities can help reduce some of the stress and anxiety children feel about being in hospital.

“Play in hospital can help children in many ways. It can help them understand why they are in hospital and what will happen. It allows them to express their feelings and it can help them understand more about their illness and treatment, and help them to recover more quickly.”

The play team are also planning a fun-packed Christmas for sick children in Oldham and are currently fundraising to ensure a magical Christmas for children and their families over the festive period. They are teaming up with two local theatres – Talespin Theatre, who will be performing Jack in The Beanstalk on 20 December and Grand Dame Theatre, who will be performing Oliver on 22 December. There are also visits planned from other children’s entertainers including Wacky Woody, a children’s musician and entertainer and Everybody Party, a local party company, who will bring lots of fun with face painting, dance, lights and play.