Ahead of National Play Day this week…
As many parents will know, play helps and gives the chance for their children to explore, imagine and express themselves.
But this essential part of childhood shouldn’t just stop because a child is seriously ill or receiving treatment.
Thankfully, whether it is during a stay for respite, or preparing a child for a daunting operation or ticking off a final bucket wish, the play team at Claire House are on hand.
Play at Claire House provides the opportunity for all children and young people to have access to wide variety of different stimulating play opportunities.
These forms of play can include:
- Sensory and tactile stories
- Individualised adapted arts and crafts
- Eye gaze technology
- Immersive technology
- Resonance board
- iPad games
- Messy play
- Makaton singing
- Switch work
- Light room
- Baking
- Trips out
These forms of play give the children the chance to smile, release emotions, feel stimulated and just have fun, which is something all children love to do.
More than Play
With play, the team can turn negative experiences into more positives ones and make situations, such as having medication, less distressing.
Every situation is adapted to the child or young person’s capabilities, thus ensuring they still get the opportunity to engage with every activity taking place at Claire House.
Fortunately, as technology is advancing, stimulating children and young people is changing and with the current facilities Claire House has, it is enabling the hospice to give children independence and empowerment because the children can interact with activities themselves.
Play at Claire House not only includes the children who come to the hospice, but also their siblings. The Play team are able to gain good relationships with the siblings when they are playing and offload their feelings without even knowing they are doing it.
Play can also be used for stimulating purposes. Simple activities such as reading a story, baking cakes or engaging a child in arts & crafts can help a child to concentrate and is great for them feel pure enjoyment.
Play at Claire House and the Tesco Centenary Grant
Claire House is excited to be included in the local Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grant initiative.
The initiative will see grants of £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000 awarded based on the votes.
For Claire House, the Tesco’s Centenary grant would enable the hospice to fund a Play Specialist who provides crucial and engaging play to the children the hospice supports.
Voting is open in all Tesco stores until September and customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.
Please vote now!
