Move to Boost Children’s Play Areas in Hospitals

Child health charity The Children’s Foundation has launched a campaign to improve play areas for youngsters in hospital.

The project, called HAPPY (Hospital Action Providing Play for Youngsters) is being backed by Gateshead furniture store Ikea. Staff at the shop are aiming to raise pounds 5,000 each year for the next two years to help pay for design expertise, furniture, equipment and toys at play areas in hospitals across the North-East.

The first ward to benefit will be the Outpatients Unit at South Tyneside Hospital. Yesterday, Lucy Winskell, chair of The Children’s Foundation, said: “Visiting hospitals is an experience many adults find stressful, so you can only imagine how it is through the eyes of a child. Providing play areas is an ideal way to assist the NHS by improving the environment and resources for children and young people.”

Anyone who wants to help the HAPPY campaign by fundraising or making a donation should call (0191) 282-0896 or email victoria.ponton@ncl.ac.uk