Research and Insights

Innovation Awards 2026 applications now open!

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Following on from the success of our first annual Innovation Awards last year we have opened applications for 2026.

We know that healthcare professionals can be innovative, inventive, resourceful and creative in the way they deliver therapeutic play to children and young people in healthcare, in order to combat challenges or gaps in existing healthcare provision - and we want to celebrate that!

2025 winner Tracey Martin

Last year's winner was health play specialist Tracey Martin for her pioneering work tackling healthcare anxiety by developing a VIP PASS scheme.

One runner-up was a multi-disciplinary team which set up a play-based clinic for under 7s with diabetes – the first of its kind in the UK!
Another runner-up was a children’s hospice for developing exciting and accessible events to support families of children with life-limiting conditions.
And the third runner-up was a health play specialist for developing an interactive 3-D printed MRI model scanner to reduce general anaesthetic use.

Our Health Play Innovation Award recognises and celebrates innovations (and the people behind the ideas). We want to provide a platform to raise awareness for and inspire innovative practice.

Applications are open to any individual or team of healthcare professionals, including but not limited to health play professionals.

Applications are open until Friday 6 February 2026, 5pm.