As we celebrate the impact of a partnership with an inspirational hospice play team, its lead, Vikki Kempster, shares how their work makes a difference to children and their families
Play sits at the centre of care for children and young people with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
“Play is embedded in everything here,” explains Vikki, who originally joined the hospice as a home carer 13 years ago and inspired hospice managers to set up a specialist play team because of how she integrated play into her work: “They were children,” she says. “Even though I was going out to care for them, we’d play.”
The team, which includes specialist play workers Anna Lawrence and Lucy Moisis, works closely with social workers, nurses and other professionals who refer children to them if they need support with anxiety, communication, isolation or development. They receive one-to-one sessions, using hospice facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool, indoor and outdoor play areas and in the home.
Tools such as eye-gaze technology and the Makaton language system are used if communication is difficult and parents are helped to learn these techniques. Vikki’s team also helps schools to support Noah’s Ark children or their pupils if that child dies.
“In a life which is full of medical equipment and procedures, emotional stress and uncertainty, play creates moments where children can simply be children.
“And sometimes, in the hardest moments imaginable, it creates more positive memories that families can cherish forever.” - Vikki
For children and young people undergoing frequent medical procedures, play restores something they often lose – control, says Vikki who is now a registered health play specialist.
“A lot of things happen to them that they don’t get to decide,” Vikki says. “Play is where they can choose what happens.” Even refusal is meaningful. “That’s still a choice,” she adds.
Play also helps children process difficult experiences - through role-play, they often act out medical scenarios using toys and characters. “It’s how they make sense of what’s happening. Like an adult would replay a stressful conversation in their minds,” explains Vikki. (Image: Vikki in the hospice's nature trail)
As medical treatments advance, more children are living longer, and Noah’s Ark now supports young people up to 25 - its dedicated teen area and cinema room were designed by the young people who are supported by Noah’s Ark themselves.
For young adults, the approach shifts with sessions involving activities such as listening to music, conversations about football, creating fashion mood boards or practical support. Vikki has even helped young people prepare for college interviews and job applications. “It starts with play,” she says, “but becomes something more - a trusted relationship.”
Supporting children and young people at the end of life is one of the most sensitive aspects of the team’s work.
“Play can help children and young people explore their feelings, ask questions and make choices about what they want. We can’t choose the outcome, but we can help shape that time.” - Vikki
After a child or young person dies, the play team supports families through memory-making activities such as creating handprints and hand casts and provide play support to bereaved siblings. “These treasures are so important,” explains Vikki. “They help families hold onto memories and siblings can sometimes get forgotten, as much of the focus is on the child with complex needs.”
Very movingly, the team also works with families whose babies die before or shortly after birth. In these cases, they help “create meaningful moments many parents feared they would never have”. The play team creates nurturing spaces where parents can hold, dress, and spend precious time with their baby. (Image: Vikki in the hospice's multi-faith space)
These experiences allow them to make memories and affirm their identity as parents,” - Vikki
Starlight has helped the team develop their skills by providing assess to training, including LEGO®-based therapy, baby massage and interaction techniques, as well as providing resources and mentorship.
Vikki said: “We’re so pleased to have received this support from Starlight. The regular resources have been extremely useful in our work and the training and ongoing support have also been incredibly valuable for our team.
“It has given us new ideas, confidence, and tools to make play more meaningful and accessible. We’re hugely grateful to have had the opportunity to enter this partnership and appreciate the positive impact it has had and will continue to have on the babies, children, young people and their families we work with every day.” (Image: Vikki with Nitisha Majithia)
Nitisha Majithia, who mentored the team as Starlight’s Play Specialist Programme Manager, said: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside Vikki and her team at Noah’s Ark. Their commitment to ensuring every child can play, communicate and express themselves – no matter their condition – is truly inspiring. Seeing how they use the resources, training and support from Starlight to enhance their practice has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s clear the impact reaches far beyond the playroom, supporting children and families during some of the most challenging times.”