Starlight Children's Foundation

“My own son is in and out of hospital quite a lot.”

For Alain Wolffe, Starlight Trustee, this isn’t just a cause he supports, it’s something he understands personally.

In this moving video, Alain reflects on his experiences as a parent navigating hospital care and the importance of the people who help children and families feel safe, supported and understood during difficult times.

When a child is in hospital, play can be transformative. It helps reduce fear, eases anxiety and gives children the chance to simply be children, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Thank you, Alain, for sharing your family’s story and highlighting why play in healthcare matters.

Play isn’t a luxury in hospital. It’s a necessity.

When children arrive at hospital, they’re often feeling anxious and unsure of what’s ahead. Trish, a Health Play Specialist at Northwick Park Hospital, explains how play helps children feel more comfortable, regain a sense of control, and simply be children during what can be a difficult time.

From reducing fear to creating moments of normality, play can transform a child’s hospital experience.

Every child deserves the opportunity to play.

“Play has helped our daughter become a child again.”

For Parvina and her family, play has transformed their daughter’s healthcare experience.

In this video, Parvina shares how support from Health Play Specialists helped Sfiyah feel more comfortable during treatment, reduced the impact of difficult past experiences, and gave her the confidence to approach hospital visits in a new way.

Despite living with a lifelong condition, play has given Sfiyah the chance to enjoy moments of childhood, happiness and normality during some of the toughest times.

Thank you to Parvina for sharing her family’s story and helping to highlight the life-changing impact of play in healthcare.

“People think we just play, but they don’t see the bigger picture.”

Play in healthcare is so much more than keeping children occupied. It helps reduce fear, supports recovery, encourages movement, improves wellbeing and gives children a sense of normality during some of their most challenging moments.

In this video, a Health Play Specialist from John Radcliffe Hospital shares why play has such a powerful impact on children in hospital, from helping them feel less anxious to supporting faster recovery.

▶️ Watch the video to hear why play is an essential part of children’s healthcare.

⏱️ Got a minute?

Today is The Big Play, a nationwide moment to celebrate the power of play.

Play isn’t just for children. Research shows it can reduce stress, boost wellbeing and help us feel more connected. For children in hospital, play can be life-changing, helping to reduce fear, anxiety and trauma during treatment.

Wherever you are today, take a minute to do something playful. A game, a doodle, a dance, a joke with a friend, it all counts.

Join The Big Play today and help us champion the power of play for every child.

🎁 Plus, everyone who signs up will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 20 LEGO® prizes.

⏰ Got a minute to spare?

Our Starlight team put their play skills to the test with a quick game of Simon Says, and it turns out a little bit of play can go a long way.

Play isn’t just fun. It helps children build confidence, reduce anxiety and cope with the challenges of illness and treatment.

On 11 June at 11:11am, we’re asking everyone to take one minute to play as part of The Big Play.

Watch along, join in, and don’t forget to challenge your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Simon Says: stop scrolling. 👀

We challenged the Starlight team to wriggle, hug themselves, pull their silliest faces and even break out their best robot dance moves… all in the name of play.

The result? Plenty of laughter, a few questionable dance moves, and a reminder that play isn’t just for children.

Play helps us connect, reduce stress, boost wellbeing and bring a little more joy into our day.

That’s why we’re inviting everyone to join this Thursday, 11 June, for the International Day of Play.

🎉 Take a moment to play.
🎉 Share your playful moment.
🎉 Help us celebrate the power of play.

Watch the video and then ask yourself: what are you waiting for?

Join The Big Play today: https://ow.ly/epUn50Z6FIu

A huge thank you to Titan Square Mile for hosting an incredible
golf day this week.

Rain? Yes. Spirits dampened? Not a chance.
From golf clinics and putting challenges to 18 holes on the course and the famous "guess the balls in the bucket" competition, there was plenty of fun, friendly competition and great memories made throughout the day.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, got involved and helped create such a fantastic atmosphere. Your support made a real difference, helping to raise an amazing £4,058 for Starlight. ⭐️
We loved every minute of it and can't wait to do it all again next time! 🙌⛳️