Whilst attending a course for Minor Injuries and Illnesses in Children at UWE, Lauren first learnt how important play and distraction can be for assessing, treating and performing investigations on children. The lecturer emphasised the power play has for seriously ill children in hospital. During this lecture, she was first introduced to the role Starlight plays in promoting the importance of play for all seriously ill children.
After the course, Lauren applied for a Starlight Distraction Box and was able to apply what she learned from the lecture to how she interacted with the children she works with as a Nurse Practitioner in an Urgent Treatment Centre. The Distraction Box changed the way she worked with the children who came to her hospital, and has since been a passionate ambassador for Starlight striving to promote play in all hospitals.
Since her first Distraction Box, Starlight has donated many toys, activities, and even a Nintendo Switch. Lauren’s hospital will also receive funding from Starlight to get a Rockin’ R gaming cart to keep their Nintendo Switch console and games safe.
