The play team on the children’s heart ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital (L51) have some fantastic resources to help reduce anxiety on the ward for everybody.
Many of the toys, activities and resources in the playroom have been funded by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, because of your generous donations…
Play specialist Sarah dressed up as Cat in the Hat for World Book Day this year – all in a day’s work for the Play Team!
To round-off Stress Awareness Month 2023, we asked Play Specialist Sarah to tell us a bit more about how the Play Team help to relieve anxiety and stress on the heart ward…
Sarah said…
The Play Team spend time with patients that are awaiting procedures and use play as a technique to help them understand what to expect.
This can include a mix of real and toy medical items to role play with, along with pictures and videos on the iPad of the places they may need to visit in the hospital.
Hospitals can be busy and noisy, so we offer distraction play to all patients and their families through the day.
Colouring and crafting are particularly good mindful activities, but for some patients building with Lego or playing on a games console is just as therapeutic.
Distraction during a procedure like having blood taken is important too. Having fidget toys, games to play, and even jokes to tell all help alleviate anxiety for the patient.
Our work is very much ‘in the moment’, tuning ourselves into the patient’s feelings, responding to them and advocating for them as required.
This balance means that we need to use stress-busting techniques for ourselves too.
I try to find five minutes for a mindful moment to level out, whether that’s with a warm drink or just a having quick chat with a colleague.
I find laughter and being playful really is the best medicine and I take pleasure in decorating the ward to make everyone smile.
Speaking of colleagues, the playroom door is always open for staff too! We find that the resources and techniques we offer to children work just as well in adults.
Speaking of colleagues, the playroom door is always open for staff too! We find that the resources and techniques we offer to children work just as well in adults.
April is Stress Awareness Month. A big thank you to Sarah on the L51 Play Team for writing this blog and telling us a bit more about the awesome work they do for our patients, families and staff on the heart unit.
Support for families: November 2025
“That was the best night sleep I had in weeks! You don’t realise it, but having those beds there when I needed it was amazing”” - heart dad - about CHSF-funded parent roomsDuring the month of October... 24 referrals received for targeted Family Support 12 families...
About The Big Give #ChristmasCampaign 2025
What? The Big Give #ChristmasChallenge is our Christmas campaign for this year and all donations you give NOW are doubled - but please hurry, the campaign doesn't last long! When? Tuesday 2nd December midday - Tuesday 9th December midday Why? To fund parent...
Job – Office Administrator
Job opportunityOffice Administrator We are looking to recruit an Office Administrator to join our dedicated team. The role will provide support across our finance, fundraising and governance functions. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Finance, Resource...