Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Starlight UK

The King's Fund Library Service @kingsfundlibrary.bsky.social · 8d

Policy alert: Causes of trauma from children's healthcare
@starlightuk.bsky.social
www.starlight.org.uk/assets/docum...

www.starlight.org.uk

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · 9d

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · 10d

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.

Politics.co.uk @politics.co.uk · 10d

“Now, our task is clear: to turn evidence into action and ensure every child, in every healthcare setting, benefits from play”, writes Labour MP @alistrathern.bsky.social

🗣️ Play in Healthcare Week – making every child’s right to play a reality
www.politics.co.uk/mp-comment/2...

Alistair Strathern: ‘Play in Healthcare Week – making every child’s right to play a reality’ - Politics.co.uk

A child facing surgery, having a blood test or needing an MRI shouldn’t have to feel terrified. Yet too often they do, unless they’re lucky enough to be in a hospital with a health play professional. ...

www.politics.co.uk

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · 12d

🚨 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

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · 22d

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

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 23

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.

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 22

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 19

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!

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 19

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.

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 11

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Sep 1

💜 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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 28

“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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 26

🌟 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

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 21

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

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 20

💜 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

Exclusive: Starlight's Laura Walsh on the power of health play

Starlight champions play in healthcare settings, working with health professionals, kids and families to provide play experiences that reduce the fear and anxiety often associated with medical treatme...

toyworldmag.co.uk

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 20

💜 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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 19

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

Reposted by Starlight UK

headofplay987.bsky.social @headofplay987.bsky.social · Jun 12

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

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Reposted by Starlight UK

Taylor & Francis Research @tandfresearch.bsky.social · Aug 15

Congratulations and thank you for publishing your impactful research with us! 🤩👏

📑 Read Dr Sandy Gulyurtlu's #OpenAccess article here: spr.ly/63324fSLmr

Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 14

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 15

🚗💜 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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 14

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 13

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 13

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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 13

💜 “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

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Starlight UK @starlightuk.bsky.social · Aug 12

💜 “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

"They Remember the Fun not the Fear" - Jenny, staff nurse

A staff nurse at Moorfields Eye Hospital, who works across its A&E, inpatient and outpatient departments, shares how play - often in the simplest forms -…

www.starlight.org.uk