Croydon Health Services Charitable Fund
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Improving holistic care through play
Being able to play with their peers is essential to children’s wellbeing – physical, social and emotional. When children are ill in hospital, particularly for extended periods of time, having somewhere safe to play is extremely important. Not only do they need the chance to have fun and socialise, but play reduces anxiety and fear.
The Rainbow Children’s Unit at Croydon University Hospital, which opened in May 2022, includes amazing facilities for oncology and critical care. But it was missing dedicated space for children to play. Croydon Health Services Charitable Fund set up an appeal to raise money for new playgrounds and therapeutic spaces, including separate toddler and junior areas.
- Croydon supports London’s youngest population, with over 120,000 young people aged under 15 living in the borough.
- More than 52,000 young people are cared for at Croydon University Hospital every year.
- The Rainbow Children’s Unit cares for up to 40 children and young people every day, 365 days a year, so their play facilities could reach up to 14,600 patients every year.
Space to relax
The total project costs £150,000. The Charitable Fund raised £109,000 and Kusuma Trust awarded a grant for the remaining amount, ensuring that the project could be completed.
The Rainbow Children’s Unit now has two unique outdoor play areas. They include climbing frames, space for teenagers to relax, mobility aids for children who need them, books for storytelling, games for distraction, and plants and flowers to bring the spaces to life.