Let the fun and games begin…
At Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity), we know that feelings come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your child is feeling excited, happy, sleepy, or worried, play can help them express themselves, explore the world around them safely, and grow.
The Little Book of Big Play has been made with love, in collaboration with the Play team, children, young people and parents and carers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to share some fun tips and trips you can use at home.
“Play is a vital part of every single day for children here.”
Meet the Play team
Every day, the GOSH Play team come into contact with around 200-300 children.
Fully funded by GOSH Charity, they help make hospital a little bit easier and a lot funner for the thousands of children treated here every year.
The team understands that play is a serious business – and how to make sure it always works for the children taking part. They offer children spaces to play, explore and express themselves. This might be through an arts and draft session, an imaginative moment, sharing a story, or creating a Lego model.
They are experts in specialised and therapeutic play for children and young people which can be accessed both during outpatient clinics and on the wards.
Through playful engagement and exploration they can support children and young people to settle in and to make sense of what is happening in their treatment. Play workers support children and young people to access play materials and Play specialists use playful methods for preparation, distraction and post-procedural play.
Learn more about the Play team
Discover the different ways the Play team helps patients and families.