Hospital Services
Health play specialist wins Starlight award for inspiring the next generation
A Poole health play specialist has been honoured with our national award for ensuring the healing power of play is available to future generations of children in healthcare through her exceptional work guiding and developing future professionals in the field.
Debbie Daniels, Senior Health Play Specialist at Poole Hospital, part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, has been named Mentor of the Year in the 2025 Starlight Health Play Awards 2025, supported by Ryman.
Starlight holds the awards to shine a spotlight on how play can reduce fear, pain and trauma during a child’s treatment and recovery from illness and celebrate those who are excelling in this field.
With over 20 years' experience supporting children through complex and often distressing hospital treatments, Debbie recently stepped into a mentoring role – a leap that has already had a lasting impact.
“I was really surprised,” said Debbie (pictured with Allysha Pell). “I’ve always seen it as just doing my job. I know I make a difference to children and their families during anxious times, but I never thought that would be award-worthy.” Initially daunted by mentoring, she said: “I worried it would be too much on top of my workload, and I didn’t want to do it badly. But it’s been so positive. I just want to give children the best experience I can – and hopefully inspire others to do the same.”
Debbie’s first mentee, Allysha Pell, who nominated her for the award, said her support was transformative: “Debbie has helped me grow into a more confident version of myself. She gave me space to find my own professional identity while passing on her skills and knowledge to help me support the children I work with.”
Debbie, who said Allysha’s placements in departments such as oncology have broadened her own understanding, added: “Allysha has been brilliant – and I’ve learned from her too. Mentoring isn’t just about teaching; it’s about listening, evolving together, and encouraging someone to think for themselves. I’ve never worked in those areas, but reading her reports has been fascinating.”
Inspired to become a health play specialist after a hospital stay aged 15 where no play was available and she entertained the younger children, Debbie spent 19 years working in burns, plastics, and general paediatrics before moving to France. Three years later she returned to the UK and the NHS, driven by her love of helping children cope in hospital using therapeutic play.
Today she helps prepare children for surgeries, scans, and blood tests, giving them a sense of control and comfort in unfamiliar and often intimidating situations, and supports their parents: "It could be choosing pyjamas, bringing a favourite teddy, or deciding if they want numbing cream for a blood test,” she explained. “Even small choices can help them feel safer. I try to involve the parents too – if they’re anxious, the child feels it. I’ve had parents faint or be sick from the stress!
“We desperately need more trained staff. If we don’t share what we know, we can’t build strong teams. People often think anyone can do what we do – but there’s training, psychology, and careful planning behind every interaction. It’s not just blowing bubbles.” - Debbie Daniels
Dr Mark Tighe, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Director for Child Health at University Hospitals Dorset said: “Debbie's role in our play team is invaluable. As well as being exceptional in helping children understand and prepare for a range of difficult health challenges and procedures, it's great to see this recognition for her role in leading others to grow and thrive in the play profession. Recognising and enhancing others' skills and strengths takes time and children and other staff have definitely benefited. Well done Debbie!”
Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight, said: “These awards reflect the exceptional commitment of health play specialists who go above and beyond to support children during their hospital journeys. Debbie has found time in this demanding role to ensure her valuable experience working with children and families during some of the toughest periods of their lives is shared with the next generation. We’re thrilled to recognise her outstanding contributions and commitment to ensuring children have access to the best possible healthcare experience now and into the future.”
Michael Errington, Ryman’s Chief Operating officer: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Starlight Health Play Awards again. We’re always blown away by the creative and resourceful ways that health play specialists and their assistants bring the power of play to children in hospitals and look forward to celebrating the winners in November.”