Expansion of Play Services at Leeds Children’s Hospital
June 18, 2026New report highlights impact of extended Play Team support
Leeds Children’s Hospital has expanded its Play Team from a five-day service to a seven-day service, following a fundraising appeal launched in September 2024. The increase in staff and hours aims to provide additional support to seriously ill children and their families through therapeutic and specialist play.
Growth in Play Team and service delivery
Thanks to donations, the Play Team now consists of 42 staff members working across the hospital. The team supports hundreds of children each week, delivering a range of play-based activities designed to aid recovery and improve wellbeing. The first annual impact report from the Play Team reveals the following average weekly figures:
- 338 therapeutic and specialist play sessions
- 42 hours of distraction play
- 11 hours of procedural preparation
- 169 hours of direct play sessions
- 140 hours of facilitation and social interaction
- 51 hours of family and sibling support
Case example: Support for children with serious illnesses
One child who has benefitted from the expanded Play Team is two-year-old Robin Lister, who is being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). In April, Robin was urgently transferred to Leeds Children’s Hospital, where the Play Team provided therapeutic play to support him and his family during treatment.
The report emphasises the importance of play in helping children cope with the challenges of hospital stays, including managing pain, reducing anxiety, and maintaining social connections. The Play Team’s work extends beyond the children themselves, offering support to siblings and families affected by illness.
Future goals
The hospital aims to continue developing the Play Team’s services to ensure that all children receiving treatment have access to play support every day of the week. This approach reflects a growing recognition of play as a vital component of paediatric healthcare.
For more information, visit the Leeds Hospitals Charity website.
