Hospitals Celebrate Play in Healthcare Week with Free Family Event
- Written by Rachael Vowles
- Posted: 31 Mar 2026
- 1 min read
To mark Play in Healthcare Week, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity is funding a special celebration event, tomorrow, on Wednesday 15th October at Derby Children’s Hospital.
Organised by the Derby Play Team, the event is designed to showcase the role of therapeutic and specialist play in healthcare settings, highlighting how play can support the wellbeing of babies, children and young people during hospital stays.
The day will showcase the invaluable work of Health Play Specialists and play staff at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
Families attending can look forward to a variety of fun and interactive activities, including:
-Live music
-Face painting
-Arts and crafts
-Storytime sessions
-Visits from Max the therapy dog
-The chance to climb aboard a real ambulance.
Healthcare environments can sometimes be scary and overwhelming for children and young people, so the importance of play in hospitals cannot be overstated. Play brings happiness, helps children make sense of their treatment, and supports their emotional wellbeing in an age-appropriate, engaging way.
Fran Watson, Senior Play Specialist at Derby Children’s Hospital
We’re grateful to our hospital charity and its supporters for making this event possible, helping us showcase the power of play while bringing the community together.
Staff at the 50 years of play event
We’re extremely proud of our play teams and the incredible support they provide to young patients. They work hard to make hospital visits less daunting and more positive through therapeutic play. Events like this are a fantastic way for families to experience the hospital environment in a fun and relaxed setting.
Jill Matthews, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity Chief Officer
Lambie meeting staff at the Children's Hospital
