Children admitted to hospital are often at their most vulnerable, and the hospital environment can be overwhelming, unfamiliar and frightening. On top of this, medical treatments and procedures can cause anxiety. This fear can lead to even minor procedures needing sedation or general anaesthetic, leading to longer stays. Being away from home, school and friends during this time leaves children feeling isolated and disconnected. Without proper support, patients feel powerless and stressed.

Play is a fundamental right for a child. It’s how they learn and make sense of the world. At the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, the much-loved play team work to reduce trauma and anxiety through the power of play. Across the hospital they are with children through each step of the medical journey: preparing them through age-appropriate play, teaching distraction and coping techniques, and supporting emotional recovery. They also add moments of normality through play to patients’ days.