Following the launch of the Children and Young People Strategy and Ray of Sunshine Campaign last year, we’ve recently recruited five new Children and Young People (CYP) volunteers.
Feedback from young people, carers and parents, revealed they wanted more therapy dog visits and more play. Our volunteers will provide engagement and play to enhance the service of the Play Team at CRH. This is a six-month pilot, which will be reviewed and may be expanded across other areas supporting children and young people if successful.
Umar Naeem, pictured second from left, is one of our new CYP volunteers. He has previous experience as an unpaid carer and alongside his role at CHFT, will also be volunteering with Age UK to teach older people how to use technology. Umar has a passion for nature and photography - often combining the two - and is excited about beginning his role as a CYP volunteer.
He said: "I'm looking forward to everything about this role - engaging with parents, carers, children and young people. I want to help create memories and experiences with them. I was in and out of hospital myself as a child so I understand what it can be like. There wasn't a role like this when I was in hospital and looking back now I can see how much of a benefit that would have been to me. I hope to provide that benefit for someone else now.
"I think this role can really help support children and young people at a crucial stage of their development, helping them to flourish as they get older."
Children and Young People Services Lead, Julie Mellor, said: "This new initiative is in line with the Starlight Manifesto for Play in Healthcare: 'Being able to play is vital to children’s health and wellbeing. For children in healthcare, play is their best protection against anxiety and trauma.' (2024)
"Our existing Play Team at CHFT are an amazing seven-day resource to support the child and young person’s journey. We have ambition to grow the play support across the organisation wherever children are seen."
You’ll see our new volunteers with their 'Trolley of Sunshine' which is jam-packed with toys, arts and crafts, paint, board games, cards and colouring books which are all replenished through donations via the CHFT Charity website. All of the goodies on the trolley will help our children and young patients feel more relaxed and less anxious whilst away from home, loved ones and friends.