1. How many children could benefit from the play service?

Leeds Children’s Hospital has 286 beds, 28 highly specialised services and 17 wards. Last year, over 11,000 young patients were admitted to the hospital. The average age of children being treated is just four years old.

2. How does play help seriously ill children?

There are many different types of play, from normalizing the hospital experience, to preparing a child for a difficult procedure using specialist dolls, books and other age-appropriate resources that can help a child overcome fears that have previously prevented treatment. Or distracting them using bubbles, puppets, books, music, guided visualisation, and virtual reality, to reduce anxiety. 
Our Play Specialists and Play Leaders are a friendly face to children and their families during the most difficult time. They’re also great at helping children feel included. Making unbearable procedures bearable, which speeds up treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. And simply making children smile, giggle and have huge belly laughs.

3. How much do the play team cost?

A donation of £106 can fund a play specialist for a day.

With your help, Leeds Hospitals Charity wants to provide ongoing funding to deliver a seven day play service and dedicated play workers for each ward meaning access to play for all children, on all wards at Leeds Children’s Hospital. It costs £500,000 each year to provide this vital service. 

4. How much funding currently goes to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust?

Thanks to your donations, we provide over £4 million every year to support projects that make a real difference to staff, patients and families across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 

5. How will my donation make a difference?

The play service is one of many areas we support at Leeds Children’s Hospital. When you donate to Leeds Hospitals Charity, your gift will help to transform the lives of seriously ill children, many of whom spend their childhood in hospital.

6. How can I receive the latest updates about Leeds Children’s Hospital? 

To be the first to receive updates about Leeds Children’s Hospital, you can sign up to our monthly e-newsletter . We regularly share news and updates, including about how children are being supported by the play team and other staff and projects.   You can also follow us on social media.

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