Starlight

Starlight appoints Director of Play in Healthcare

We've appointed Laura Walsh as Director of Play in Healthcare. 

Laura has stepped up from her role as Head of Play at Starlight, a position she held since joining the charity in September 2021, to join the senior management team as a director. 

The role oversees the Play in Healthcare Directorate which covers three areas – Health Play Services, Insight and Impact, and Policy and Public Affairs. 

Years of experience supporting children

Her experience working with children and young people in the field of play spans over two decades.  

From 2002 to 2018, she held several roles at Central YMCA including Children and Youth Manager, leading over 100 staff and volunteers to deliver out of school play and sports. 

Prior to joining Starlight, Laura was Head of Play Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) from 2018 to 2021. A qualified Health Play Specialist, registered with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS), her notable achievements at GOSH were leading her team to deliver activity programmes, to integrate play services into a holistic model, and ensuring therapeutic play continued during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

My professional life has been working to ensure children and young people can access the conditions in which play is possible. It is so fundamental to their physical, mental, emotional and overall good health so they can thrive.  

“I’m thrilled to take up my new role and responsibilities within Starlight as we work on a new organisational strategy that will ensure play is embedded in health systems, to build children's resilience so they can become more receptive to healthcare treatment. 

“I look forward to bringing my experience and expertise to the leadership team and supporting my directorate to achieve its goals in supporting the many healthcare settings and healthcare professionals who are working in challenging environments with limited budgets and resources.” - Laura

“We’re very excited that Laura’s appointment will accelerate Starlight's ambition to end avoidable trauma in children’s healthcare. We are determined that play will become a core, embedded part of care. Laura has the experience and expertise to lead our role in the transformation required across health systems, scale up services, influence policy, and drive Starlight’s growth.”

Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight