Play In Hospital Week 2022

10 – 14 October this year marks Play in Hospital Week, brought to you by Starlight and National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS).

The theme for this year is ‘Play for resilience and good mental health’. World Mental Health Day on 10th October highlights the importance of play for everyone’s health. Children, young people, play practitioners and families all benefit from play too! In a year which sees teams striving to recover time and space for play and playfulness this series of events aims to highlight the boost in mental health which can come from play.

How to get involved in Play Week

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

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

Health Play Awards 2022

The annual Starlight Play in Health Awards will recognise the dedication, ingenuity and resilience of Play Specialists and other health professionals.
Health Play Awards 2022

Play In Hospital Week Webinars

Starlight is hosting a series of free webinars on various topics related to children’s play in healthcare, and this year’s PIHW theme: play for resilience and good mental health.

Starlight Play Pack 2022

This play pack is free to download and is full of puzzles, games and other fun activities

Play in Hospital Report 2022

Starlight’s Play in Hospital 2022 report details that everyday play opportunities in healthcare reduce the anxiety and fear that children experience in hospital as well as how the pandemic has severely impacted the level of play resource funding.