@starlightuk
We're the national charity for children’s play in healthcare, supporting children to experience the power of play to boost their wellbeing and resilience during illness. 👉 Donate to support our work: https://support.starlight.org.uk/donate
Congratulations to
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social
and team on the National Cancer Plan. We're proud to have co-produced with
@england.nhs.uk
guidelines and standards that are part of the plan's commitment to improve cancer treatment experiences for children.
Play in healthcare took centre stage in Westminster Hall this week.
Led by MP CalvinBailey, MBE MP made the case that play is essential, not optional, for children’s health.
The debate closed with Ashley Dalton.
🗣️ “Play isn’t a luxury, it’s how children cope, connect, and heal.”
🎄 A Christmas message from our CEO, Cathy Gilman
Thanks to your support, more children in hospital will experience joy, play and festive magic this Christmas. Thank you to our health play specialists, partners and fundraisers.
Happy Christmas ✨
150,000 children will spend Christmas in hospital this year.
Your donation can bring them laughter, play and hope.
Because serious illness can steal many things, but Christmas shouldn’t be one of them.
Donate now: ow.ly/m6YG50XmWSN
Policy alert: Causes of trauma from children's healthcare
@starlightuk.bsky.social
www.starlight.org.uk/assets/docum...
We’re still on a high from Tuesday! 💜
Our Parliamentary event brought together MPs, Peers, Ministers, young people & play specialists, all pledging support for play in children’s healthcare.
Together, we’re putting play at the heart of every child’s hospital journey.
#PowerOfPlay #PlayInHealthcare
Many thanks to
@alistrathern.bsky.social
for this important article on the importance of play in children’s healthcare to reduce trauma. Following our successful drop-in event yesterday in parliament it’s great to see the growing momentum and recognition of this cause.
🚨 Our new report is here: Causes of Trauma from Children’s Healthcare
1 in 9 children say being held down for treatment worries or upsets them.
Play can prevent this, helping children feel safe, calm & in control.
📘 Read the report → ow.ly/mRS450X9Huc
Why do hospital visits leave children traumatised?
Join our free webinar Causes of Trauma from Healthcare on 13 Oct, 12:30–13:30. Speakers: Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu (Starlight) & Prof. Lucy Bray (Edge Hill Uni).
👉 Sign up: ow.ly/gnZL50X65tR #PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
Congrats to Leanne Gowland, Health Play Specialist at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, named Health Play Specialist of the Year at the 2025 #StarlightAwards! 💜
A trailblazer in continence care, Leanne uses play to reduce anxiety and protect children’s mental health.
No child should face hospital trauma alone. Play turned Felix’s fear into courage.
Help us reach more children like Felix. Donate £10 today 👉 ow.ly/eMT850X0aiR
#ProtectPlay #DonateToday
We’re thrilled to win Charity Champions at the 2025 #NimbleAwards! 🏆
Our project is shaping the future of children’s healthcare by educating professionals on the power of play.
Congratulations to all winners!
Congrats to Debbie Daniels, Senior Health Play Specialist at Poole Hospital, winner of Mentor of the Year in our 2025 Starlight Awards!
Her guidance is inspiring the next generation of health play specialists, making sure more children get the care and play support they deserve.
We’re celebrating Anaesthetic Nurse Raquel Duncombe at PRUH, winner of the Protector of Play Award 🌟
By integrating play into emergency surgery, Raquel is reducing trauma, calming children, and improving outcomes.
#ProtectorOfPlay #PowerOfPlay
💜 Nailah, a member of our Youth Hub, shared at #CarFest2025 how play supported her in hospital:
“It helps kids through rough times, distracts them, and lets them use their imagination.”
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
“You don’t know you need play until you’re in hospital, then it’s vital.”
Chloe, a Healthcare Play Specialist, shares why play is a right and how it transforms children’s hospital experiences.
#PowerOfPlay #HospitalPlay #CarFest
🌟 Thank you CarFest! 🌟
We loved every LEGO step, slime squish, bubble pop & cozy chill-out moment with you 💜 You made the weekend unforgettable.
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
Play professionals matter.💜
They give children a voice, help them express emotions, prepare them for treatment & bring expertise that supports resilience and recovery.
#PlayToHeal #HealthcareHeroes
💜 Play is essential, not optional.
Starlight’s Head of Play, Laura Walsh, shares why therapeutic play reduces hospital fear, builds resilience & makes treatment easier for children across the UK.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/4mUD4QI
#PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
💜 Did you know?
Health play isn’t just fun, it transforms children’s hospital experiences. It reduces fear and pain, builds resilience, improves recovery, and even saves the NHS time and money.
That’s the power of play.
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation #ChildHealth
Our Tracy’s been busy packing the van & we’re nearly ready for CarFest 2025! 🚚💜
Find us in the StarFest Zone for:
🧱 The LEGO Walk
✨ Tag You’re Lit (the biggest game of tag at CarFest!)
🎲 Garden games + more
Come join the fun & tell us what play means to you!
#CarFest2025 #StarlightMagic
Incredible Health play specialists from the Lister east and north Hertfordshire Trust describe the bereavement support they give when children die in Emergency Department ✨
@starlightuk.bsky.social
Congratulations and thank you for publishing your impactful research with us! 🤩👏
📑 Read Dr Sandy Gulyurtlu's #OpenAccess article here: spr.ly/63324fSLmr
🚗💜 We’re heading to CarFest next week!
Join us in the StarFest Zone for bubbles, LEGO walks, sensory play, star walls & more, showing how play transforms children’s hospital experiences.
🧱 LEGO Walk
🤝 Tug of War
⭐ “What Play Means to Me” crafts
🎟 carfest.org
We’re so proud of our Head of Insights & Impact, Dr Sandy Gulyurtlu, whose research has been published in the @tandfresearch.bsky.social.
It’s another step forward in proving what we know: play changes everything for children in healthcare.
Read the story: bit.ly/4mMnir8
#StarlightFoundation
Our first Innovation in Health Play Awards celebrated brilliant healthcare professionals using play to transform children’s hospital experiences.
From anxiety-reducing VIP passes to 3D printed MRI models cutting anaesthetic use by 88%, the results are inspiring.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4mkMmFQ
Therapeutic play changes how children experience hospital, reducing fear, improving recovery, and building confidence.
Alistair Strathern MP saw it in action at Lister Hospital & is now calling for greater NHS health play provision. 💜
Read more: bit.ly/45fV9CH
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation
💜 “They remember the fun, not the fear.”
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4lwzHhH
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
💜 “They remember the fun, not the fear.”
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4mHYfFr
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
It was great to hear Dr Steve Turner, President of the @rcpch.bsky.social highlight the importance of the #NHSPlayWellToolkit at the 50th anniversary conference of The Society of Health Play Specialists.
