Supporting young patients’ wellbeing this Children’s Mental Health Week | Charity news

As the UK marks Children’s Mental Health Week (9-15 February), MY Hospitals Charity is shining a light on the important role welcoming, play-friendly hospital environments can have on a child’s emotional wellbeing.

Every year, thousands of children attend the Children’s Outpatients Department at Dewsbury and District Hospital. For young patients, the hospital environment can have a big impact on helping them feel calm, reassured and confident - especially during appointments or procedures that may be new or daunting.

This year’s national theme encourages organisations to consider how they can better support children’s emotional resilience. At Dewsbury Hospital, staff and MY Hospitals Charity are doing exactly that by working to enhance the department’s environment and make it more supportive for young patients and their families.

Lucy Knights, Lead Nurse, explains: “Children and young people don’t just need excellent clinical care - they also need to feel safe, reassured and engaged while they’re with us. A child-friendly environment can help reduce anxiety, making visits more positive for families.”

The Charity has launched an appeal to raise £15,000 to introduce brighter graphics, imaginative play elements and interactive sensory features into the department. While the NHS funds clinical care, projects that improve the overall experience and enhance emotional wellbeing, often rely on charitable support. MY Hospitals Charity exists to support initiatives such as this and works closely with NHS children’s services to provide items for play and to improve environments, as well as supporting the provision of additional equipment. 

These improvements will provide space where children can relax, play and feel more at ease during what can often be daunting moments. Research consistently shows that play helps children process emotions, reduces fear, and can even improve recovery. 

Keith Ramsay, Chair of MY Hospitals Charity and Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust said: “As we mark Children’s Mental Health Week, it is important to reflect on the small but meaningful ways we can support the emotional wellbeing of young patients across our hospitals. This Spring, we will proudly launch Hari’s Cart - a bright, friendly trolley inspired by our Charity mascot.

“Filled with books, toys and sensory activities, the cart will be transported by our volunteer Hari’s Helpers to offer comfort and distraction to children who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It is another example of how charitable support helps us create calmer, more positive experiences for children and their families at times when they need it most.”

MY Hospitals Charity hopes Children’s Mental Health Week will encourage local people, schools and businesses to consider supporting the initiative - helping create a more nurturing environment for the next generation of patients.

How to support the appeal
•    Donate online: https://bit.ly/CF-donorfy 
•    Text to donate: Text MYHARI to 70085 to give £5 (Texts cost the chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message)
•    Find out more about the hospital’s 150th anniversary events: www.myhospitalscharity.org/dewsbury-150 

For further details or to get involved, please visit https://bit.ly/Childrens-Outpatients or contact the Charity team at midyorks.myhospitalscharity@nhs.net or 01924 546017.