Play in Healthcare Week 2026

Play in Healthcare Week 2026 (5 - 9 October) is here!

The annual awareness week showcases the importance of providing the opportunity, space and time for play to children in hospitals.

Report from 2025 Play In Healthcare Week: Causes of Trauma from Children’s Healthcare

Starlight’s latest report reveals how being held down for medical procedures can cause lasting trauma for children, and how play can prevent it.

Based on national surveys of parents, children and healthcare professionals, the findings show that 1 in 9 children feel worried or upset when held down for treatment, putting an estimated 1.4 million at risk of trauma.

Read report

🏆 Health Play Award 2026 Winners Coming Soon🏆

The Starlight Health Play Awards 2026 shine a spotlight on the incredible professionals and teams transforming hospital experiences for children by using play as a form of medicine.

From specialists helping children face difficult procedures with confidence, to teams creating innovative new approaches, this year’s winners will show just how vital health play is in reducing fear, easing trauma and using play as a medicine.

See below for last year's winners: 
 

Protector of Play Award

Health Play Specialist of the Year

Mentor of the Year

Joint Protector of Play

Play Team of the Year

Get involved:

Share photos of how you’re celebrating Play Week on social media using the hashtag #PIHW and tagging @starlight_uk.

Healthcare professionals, please speak to your comms team about letting local media know what’s happening in your hospital.

Donate to support our life-changing work

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