The Power of Play at Sheffield Children’s -Play in Healthcare Week 2026

At Sheffield Children’s, play is far more than a recreational activity. It is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps children and young people feel informed, involved and empowered throughout their healthcare journey. 

As we celebrate Play in Healthcare Week, we’re recognising the important role play has always had at Sheffield Children’s and our ambition to make sure it continues to shape healthier futures for generations to come. 

For 150 years, Sheffield Children’s has cared for children and young people. Since 1876, we have understood that supporting a child during their most important developmental years involves more than delivering excellent clinical care. It means protecting the experiences that allow children to grow, develop and flourish.

Play has always been at the heart of healthy childhoods, helping children make sense of the world, build relationships, develop skills and find joy. 

Today, our ambition to create healthier futures builds on that legacy. Alongside world-class healthcare, we are committed to making sure every child who comes through our doors has the opportunity not just to recover, but to continue learning, growing and being a child. 

Play as part of the healthcare journey

Much has changed since 1876, but the importance of play remains constant. In a world increasingly shaped by screens and digital interactions, play continues to be one of the most powerful ways children learn, connect, communicate and develop. 

Every child experiences healthcare differently. Their needs are shaped by their age, development, circumstances and health condition. By tailoring our approach to each child, we can create experiences that are more responsive, supportive and child-centred.

Play is one of the most effective ways we achieve this. At Sheffield Children’s, we provide three complementary forms of play support:

• Therapeutic play, which helps children understand, prepare for and cope with healthcare experiences.

• Developmental play, which supports children to continue learning, developing skills and reaching important milestones despite illness or treatment.

• Normalising play, which helps children experience a sense of normal childhood during hospital visits, appointments and stays.

Together, these approaches help children build confidence, encourage participation in treatment and create opportunities for self-expression in ways that feel natural and safe.

Supporting better experiences 

The benefits of play extend across every stage of a child’s healthcare journey. Children can feel more prepared for healthcare experiences, families can gain confidence in supporting their child, and colleagues can use play to create more positive experiences of care.

We can see the impact of therapeutic play in action. A recent project in MRI scanning  has helped more children successfully complete scans while awake, avoiding the need for a general anaesthetic. By helping children understand what to expect and feel confident in the process, play can improve both experiences and outcomes.

Creating a future powered by play

We are so proud of how play has been part of our 150 year history, and now we look to the future. Our vision is to reimagine childhood in healthcare, creating experiences designed around children and families, protecting childhood and supporting healthier futures. We can use play to create happy memories for children and families, moments of connection and joy. 

Play reduces trauma, supports development, protects childhood and helps children grow, thrive and create healthier futures, even during times of illness and treatment.

Happy Play in Healthcare day, and thank you to every staff member who takes the time to involve play in their care, and to our wonderful play specialists who share their expertise and knowledge to help play be part of everyone’s day to day.