Starlight

Queen Elizabeth Hospital play specialist wins national Mentor of the Year award

Nicola Wright, a Health Play Specialist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEH), has been named Mentor of the Year 2026 in the Starlight Health Play Awards, which recognise the health professionals transforming children’s experiences of healthcare through play. 

Nicola was nominated by her mentee Claire Burrell, (pictured) who is nearing the end of her apprenticeship after spending the past two years learning from her. 

Describing Nicola as a "role model" and "trusted colleague", Claire said her support had transformed her confidence and helped her develop the resilience and self-belief she needed to become a health play specialist. 

'Epitomises the meaning of mentor'

She said: “When I started my apprenticeship, I was very apprehensive and lacked confidence and belief in myself. Nicola has empowered my professional and personal growth, and I now have self-belief, resilience, and a growth mindset in my abilities. 

“She epitomises the meaning of a mentor. She is supportive and encouraging and demonstrates professionalism, care, kindness and empathy. Her experience has given me the opportunity to learn from her extensive skills, knowledge and expertise and to apply these in my own practice.” 

Nicola has also encouraged her mentee to attend regional and national meetings such as those held by the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS) and networking calls and training sessions hosted by Starlight, helping her to build professional connections, learn from other health play specialists and explore new areas of practice.

Alongside mentoring colleagues, Nicola supports children of all ages, from babies in neonatal care through to teenagers transitioning into adult services, using therapeutic play to help them understand and cope with procedures and treatment. 

The role of the play team on Rudham ward includes: 

  • Preparing children for procedures such as MRI scans and general anaesthesia 
  • Supporting children who are frightened of needles and other medical procedures 
  • Supporting children who are long-term inpatients 
  • Supporting children and families in sensitive situations, including end-of-life care 
  • Providing play opportunities and activities for children and young people 

Nicola believes giving children honest, age-appropriate information and choices can help build trust and prevent healthcare experiences becoming traumatic. 

The child's voice

"It's such a privilege to do this role. Play should never be underrated – it's so valuable, for so many different reasons," she explained. "We're probably the only people in the hospital who don't do anything that may seem ‘bad’ in a child’s eyes – we’re the good guys, for want of a better phrase. Yes, we can be there through the difficult times and procedures, but we're there to support. We're a child’s advocate, we're their voice, and that affects the children as well as the family." 

Nicola is also continually looking for ways to improve children's experiences of healthcare and has recently, with colleagues, begun a quality improvement project around TAP (Touch Activated Phlebotomy) which offers some patients an alternative to traditional blood testing to support patients with learning difficulties and needle phobia. 

Dawn Collins, Chief Nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are incredibly proud of Nicola and this well-deserved national recognition. Her dedication to supporting children and families, while also nurturing the next generation of health play specialists, reflects the compassionate, patient-centred care we strive to provide at QEH every day." 

Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight, said: “Nicola is a wonderful example of what great mentoring can achieve. By sharing nearly two decades of experience while giving Claire the encouragement and confidence to develop her own skills, she is helping to nurture the next generation of health play specialists. 

“At a time when there are simply not enough health play professionals to meet the needs of children accessing healthcare, supporting people to enter and thrive in the profession is more important than ever. Nicola’s commitment to Claire, alongside the compassion and expertise she brings to children and families every day, makes her a very deserving winner of our Mentor of the Year Award.” 

Michael Errington, Ryman’s Managing Director, the awards headline sponsor, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support for the Starlight Health Play Awards and to help recognise the extraordinary people who make such a difference to children’s experiences of healthcare. The skill, imagination and dedication of health play professionals and some of their colleagues to help children feel safer, more confident and better able to cope with treatment and hospital stays is remarkable. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact they have on children and families every day." 

October 2026