Six-year-old Rhys was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020.
Rhys said what mattered to him was:
- Ally from the Play Team coming along (he just adored her!) She would do lots of different arts and crafts and he now has the drawings displayed proudly in his room back at home
- being allowed to pick a film when it was time for an MRI (which he had quite a few times)
- having his favourite teddies nearby
He liked that the “play ladies” spoke to him because he said some of the Doctors only spoke to mummy, so with the Play Team it was up to him what he could do.
Mum Rachel tells us more about their experience:
“I remember it like it was yesterday. Rhys was admitted on the night of 12 May as it was discovered that the shunt that had been inserted when he was a baby had become blocked. Although it was a pre-planned visit, we felt naturally quite apprehensive about it happening right in the middle of the pandemic. Thankfully, as soon as we met the staff on the ward and the incredible Play Team, our worries disappeared.
“It’s so difficult for kids in hospital when so much is out of their control but that first wee chap on the door from the Play Team made all the difference. They helped give Rhys control when it came to play which was brilliant for my independent wee boy.”
As the hospital adapts to the new normal, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity continues to fund the hospital’s Play and Events Programme and supports the amazing Play Team with all they need to bring fun and laughter to young patients during their darkest days.
Rachel shares her thanks to the Play Team:
“Every day, the Play Team would see what Rhys fancied playing with that day and focused on what really mattered to him. Due to his surgery restricting how much he could move, they did a lot of painting with him which he loved. The virtual games through the charity-funded iPads were brilliant for Rhys too.
“With lockdown, he had not seen or spoken to any of his friends from school in quite a long time. The opportunity to speak briefly with other kids in similar situations in hospital really cheered him up.
“For me and his Dad, it was just nice to see him smiling again. We’re so thankful to the Play Team and the charity for supporting their work – it’s so vital for kids in hospital.”