About the GOSH Play team

Play is important for all children – it’s a normal, fun and familiar part of their lives. For the patients who come to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) from all over the UK, play has a vital role in giving them a more positive experience of their hospital stay and involves them in decisions about their care.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) funds a dedicated team of 52 charity-funded Play team members. They support around 25,000 patients and around 2,500 parents and siblings a year.

The Play team, made up of both Play workers and Play specialists, bring fun into the hospital while helping to ease fears and concerns.

They let children be children, helping them to feel comfortable and relaxed, while working with them to prepare for life-saving treatment and surgery. They use techniques such as role play, drawing and practising their procedures on toys to enable the children to gain mastery and control over their treatment.

By helping to build confidence and understanding, the Play team’s work helps to empower children to have some choice and control of their hospital experience.