Starlight UK
@starlightuk.bsky.social
We're the national charity for children’s play in healthcare, supporting children to experience the power of play to boost their wellbeing and resilience during illness.
👉 Donate to support our work: https://support.starlight.org.uk/donate
👉 Donate to support our work: https://support.starlight.org.uk/donate
150,000 children will spend Christmas in hospital this year.
Your donation can bring them laughter, play and hope.
Because serious illness can steal many things, but Christmas shouldn’t be one of them.
Donate now: ow.ly/m6YG50XmWSN
Your donation can bring them laughter, play and hope.
Because serious illness can steal many things, but Christmas shouldn’t be one of them.
Donate now: ow.ly/m6YG50XmWSN
November 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
150,000 children will spend Christmas in hospital this year.
Your donation can bring them laughter, play and hope.
Because serious illness can steal many things, but Christmas shouldn’t be one of them.
Donate now: ow.ly/m6YG50XmWSN
Your donation can bring them laughter, play and hope.
Because serious illness can steal many things, but Christmas shouldn’t be one of them.
Donate now: ow.ly/m6YG50XmWSN
We’re still on a high from Tuesday! 💜
Our Parliamentary event brought together MPs, Peers, Ministers, young people & play specialists, all pledging support for play in children’s healthcare.
Together, we’re putting play at the heart of every child’s hospital journey.
#PowerOfPlay #PlayInHealthcare
Our Parliamentary event brought together MPs, Peers, Ministers, young people & play specialists, all pledging support for play in children’s healthcare.
Together, we’re putting play at the heart of every child’s hospital journey.
#PowerOfPlay #PlayInHealthcare
October 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
We’re still on a high from Tuesday! 💜
Our Parliamentary event brought together MPs, Peers, Ministers, young people & play specialists, all pledging support for play in children’s healthcare.
Together, we’re putting play at the heart of every child’s hospital journey.
#PowerOfPlay #PlayInHealthcare
Our Parliamentary event brought together MPs, Peers, Ministers, young people & play specialists, all pledging support for play in children’s healthcare.
Together, we’re putting play at the heart of every child’s hospital journey.
#PowerOfPlay #PlayInHealthcare
🚨 Our new report is here: Causes of Trauma from Children’s Healthcare
1 in 9 children say being held down for treatment worries or upsets them.
Play can prevent this, helping children feel safe, calm & in control.
📘 Read the report → ow.ly/mRS450X9Huc
1 in 9 children say being held down for treatment worries or upsets them.
Play can prevent this, helping children feel safe, calm & in control.
📘 Read the report → ow.ly/mRS450X9Huc
October 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
🚨 Our new report is here: Causes of Trauma from Children’s Healthcare
1 in 9 children say being held down for treatment worries or upsets them.
Play can prevent this, helping children feel safe, calm & in control.
📘 Read the report → ow.ly/mRS450X9Huc
1 in 9 children say being held down for treatment worries or upsets them.
Play can prevent this, helping children feel safe, calm & in control.
📘 Read the report → ow.ly/mRS450X9Huc
Why do hospital visits leave children traumatised?
Join our free webinar Causes of Trauma from Healthcare on 13 Oct, 12:30–13:30. Speakers: Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu (Starlight) & Prof. Lucy Bray (Edge Hill Uni).
👉 Sign up: ow.ly/gnZL50X65tR #PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
Join our free webinar Causes of Trauma from Healthcare on 13 Oct, 12:30–13:30. Speakers: Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu (Starlight) & Prof. Lucy Bray (Edge Hill Uni).
👉 Sign up: ow.ly/gnZL50X65tR #PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
October 3, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Why do hospital visits leave children traumatised?
Join our free webinar Causes of Trauma from Healthcare on 13 Oct, 12:30–13:30. Speakers: Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu (Starlight) & Prof. Lucy Bray (Edge Hill Uni).
👉 Sign up: ow.ly/gnZL50X65tR #PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
Join our free webinar Causes of Trauma from Healthcare on 13 Oct, 12:30–13:30. Speakers: Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu (Starlight) & Prof. Lucy Bray (Edge Hill Uni).
👉 Sign up: ow.ly/gnZL50X65tR #PowerOfPlay #ChildHealth
Congrats to Leanne Gowland, Health Play Specialist at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, named Health Play Specialist of the Year at the 2025 #StarlightAwards! 💜
A trailblazer in continence care, Leanne uses play to reduce anxiety and protect children’s mental health.
A trailblazer in continence care, Leanne uses play to reduce anxiety and protect children’s mental health.
September 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Congrats to Leanne Gowland, Health Play Specialist at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, named Health Play Specialist of the Year at the 2025 #StarlightAwards! 💜
A trailblazer in continence care, Leanne uses play to reduce anxiety and protect children’s mental health.
A trailblazer in continence care, Leanne uses play to reduce anxiety and protect children’s mental health.
No child should face hospital trauma alone. Play turned Felix’s fear into courage.
Help us reach more children like Felix. Donate £10 today 👉 ow.ly/eMT850X0aiR
#ProtectPlay #DonateToday
Help us reach more children like Felix. Donate £10 today 👉 ow.ly/eMT850X0aiR
#ProtectPlay #DonateToday
September 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
No child should face hospital trauma alone. Play turned Felix’s fear into courage.
Help us reach more children like Felix. Donate £10 today 👉 ow.ly/eMT850X0aiR
#ProtectPlay #DonateToday
Help us reach more children like Felix. Donate £10 today 👉 ow.ly/eMT850X0aiR
#ProtectPlay #DonateToday
We’re thrilled to win Charity Champions at the 2025 #NimbleAwards! 🏆
Our project is shaping the future of children’s healthcare by educating professionals on the power of play.
Congratulations to all winners!
Our project is shaping the future of children’s healthcare by educating professionals on the power of play.
Congratulations to all winners!
September 19, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We’re thrilled to win Charity Champions at the 2025 #NimbleAwards! 🏆
Our project is shaping the future of children’s healthcare by educating professionals on the power of play.
Congratulations to all winners!
Our project is shaping the future of children’s healthcare by educating professionals on the power of play.
Congratulations to all winners!
Congrats to Debbie Daniels, Senior Health Play Specialist at Poole Hospital, winner of Mentor of the Year in our 2025 Starlight Awards!
Her guidance is inspiring the next generation of health play specialists, making sure more children get the care and play support they deserve.
Her guidance is inspiring the next generation of health play specialists, making sure more children get the care and play support they deserve.
September 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Congrats to Debbie Daniels, Senior Health Play Specialist at Poole Hospital, winner of Mentor of the Year in our 2025 Starlight Awards!
Her guidance is inspiring the next generation of health play specialists, making sure more children get the care and play support they deserve.
Her guidance is inspiring the next generation of health play specialists, making sure more children get the care and play support they deserve.
We’re celebrating Anaesthetic Nurse Raquel Duncombe at PRUH, winner of the Protector of Play Award 🌟
By integrating play into emergency surgery, Raquel is reducing trauma, calming children, and improving outcomes.
#ProtectorOfPlay #PowerOfPlay
By integrating play into emergency surgery, Raquel is reducing trauma, calming children, and improving outcomes.
#ProtectorOfPlay #PowerOfPlay
September 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
We’re celebrating Anaesthetic Nurse Raquel Duncombe at PRUH, winner of the Protector of Play Award 🌟
By integrating play into emergency surgery, Raquel is reducing trauma, calming children, and improving outcomes.
#ProtectorOfPlay #PowerOfPlay
By integrating play into emergency surgery, Raquel is reducing trauma, calming children, and improving outcomes.
#ProtectorOfPlay #PowerOfPlay
💜 Nailah, a member of our Youth Hub, shared at #CarFest2025 how play supported her in hospital:
“It helps kids through rough times, distracts them, and lets them use their imagination.”
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
“It helps kids through rough times, distracts them, and lets them use their imagination.”
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
September 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM
💜 Nailah, a member of our Youth Hub, shared at #CarFest2025 how play supported her in hospital:
“It helps kids through rough times, distracts them, and lets them use their imagination.”
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
“It helps kids through rough times, distracts them, and lets them use their imagination.”
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
“You don’t know you need play until you’re in hospital, then it’s vital.”
Chloe, a Healthcare Play Specialist, shares why play is a right and how it transforms children’s hospital experiences.
#PowerOfPlay #HospitalPlay #CarFest
Chloe, a Healthcare Play Specialist, shares why play is a right and how it transforms children’s hospital experiences.
#PowerOfPlay #HospitalPlay #CarFest
August 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
“You don’t know you need play until you’re in hospital, then it’s vital.”
Chloe, a Healthcare Play Specialist, shares why play is a right and how it transforms children’s hospital experiences.
#PowerOfPlay #HospitalPlay #CarFest
Chloe, a Healthcare Play Specialist, shares why play is a right and how it transforms children’s hospital experiences.
#PowerOfPlay #HospitalPlay #CarFest
🌟 Thank you CarFest! 🌟
We loved every LEGO step, slime squish, bubble pop & cozy chill-out moment with you 💜 You made the weekend unforgettable.
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
We loved every LEGO step, slime squish, bubble pop & cozy chill-out moment with you 💜 You made the weekend unforgettable.
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
August 26, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🌟 Thank you CarFest! 🌟
We loved every LEGO step, slime squish, bubble pop & cozy chill-out moment with you 💜 You made the weekend unforgettable.
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
We loved every LEGO step, slime squish, bubble pop & cozy chill-out moment with you 💜 You made the weekend unforgettable.
#PowerOfPlay #StarlightMagic
Play professionals matter.💜
They give children a voice, help them express emotions, prepare them for treatment & bring expertise that supports resilience and recovery.
#PlayToHeal #HealthcareHeroes
They give children a voice, help them express emotions, prepare them for treatment & bring expertise that supports resilience and recovery.
#PlayToHeal #HealthcareHeroes
August 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Play professionals matter.💜
They give children a voice, help them express emotions, prepare them for treatment & bring expertise that supports resilience and recovery.
#PlayToHeal #HealthcareHeroes
They give children a voice, help them express emotions, prepare them for treatment & bring expertise that supports resilience and recovery.
#PlayToHeal #HealthcareHeroes
💜 Did you know?
Health play isn’t just fun, it transforms children’s hospital experiences. It reduces fear and pain, builds resilience, improves recovery, and even saves the NHS time and money.
That’s the power of play.
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation #ChildHealth
Health play isn’t just fun, it transforms children’s hospital experiences. It reduces fear and pain, builds resilience, improves recovery, and even saves the NHS time and money.
That’s the power of play.
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation #ChildHealth
August 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM
💜 Did you know?
Health play isn’t just fun, it transforms children’s hospital experiences. It reduces fear and pain, builds resilience, improves recovery, and even saves the NHS time and money.
That’s the power of play.
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation #ChildHealth
Health play isn’t just fun, it transforms children’s hospital experiences. It reduces fear and pain, builds resilience, improves recovery, and even saves the NHS time and money.
That’s the power of play.
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation #ChildHealth
Our Tracy’s been busy packing the van & we’re nearly ready for CarFest 2025! 🚚💜
Find us in the StarFest Zone for:
🧱 The LEGO Walk
✨ Tag You’re Lit (the biggest game of tag at CarFest!)
🎲 Garden games + more
Come join the fun & tell us what play means to you!
#CarFest2025 #StarlightMagic
Find us in the StarFest Zone for:
🧱 The LEGO Walk
✨ Tag You’re Lit (the biggest game of tag at CarFest!)
🎲 Garden games + more
Come join the fun & tell us what play means to you!
#CarFest2025 #StarlightMagic
August 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Our Tracy’s been busy packing the van & we’re nearly ready for CarFest 2025! 🚚💜
Find us in the StarFest Zone for:
🧱 The LEGO Walk
✨ Tag You’re Lit (the biggest game of tag at CarFest!)
🎲 Garden games + more
Come join the fun & tell us what play means to you!
#CarFest2025 #StarlightMagic
Find us in the StarFest Zone for:
🧱 The LEGO Walk
✨ Tag You’re Lit (the biggest game of tag at CarFest!)
🎲 Garden games + more
Come join the fun & tell us what play means to you!
#CarFest2025 #StarlightMagic
🚗💜 We’re heading to CarFest next week!
Join us in the StarFest Zone for bubbles, LEGO walks, sensory play, star walls & more, showing how play transforms children’s hospital experiences.
🧱 LEGO Walk
🤝 Tug of War
⭐ “What Play Means to Me” crafts
🎟 carfest.org
Join us in the StarFest Zone for bubbles, LEGO walks, sensory play, star walls & more, showing how play transforms children’s hospital experiences.
🧱 LEGO Walk
🤝 Tug of War
⭐ “What Play Means to Me” crafts
🎟 carfest.org
August 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
🚗💜 We’re heading to CarFest next week!
Join us in the StarFest Zone for bubbles, LEGO walks, sensory play, star walls & more, showing how play transforms children’s hospital experiences.
🧱 LEGO Walk
🤝 Tug of War
⭐ “What Play Means to Me” crafts
🎟 carfest.org
Join us in the StarFest Zone for bubbles, LEGO walks, sensory play, star walls & more, showing how play transforms children’s hospital experiences.
🧱 LEGO Walk
🤝 Tug of War
⭐ “What Play Means to Me” crafts
🎟 carfest.org
We’re so proud of our Head of Insights & Impact, Dr Sandy Gulyurtlu, whose research has been published in the @tandfresearch.bsky.social.
It’s another step forward in proving what we know: play changes everything for children in healthcare.
Read the story: bit.ly/4mMnir8
#StarlightFoundation
It’s another step forward in proving what we know: play changes everything for children in healthcare.
Read the story: bit.ly/4mMnir8
#StarlightFoundation
August 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We’re so proud of our Head of Insights & Impact, Dr Sandy Gulyurtlu, whose research has been published in the @tandfresearch.bsky.social.
It’s another step forward in proving what we know: play changes everything for children in healthcare.
Read the story: bit.ly/4mMnir8
#StarlightFoundation
It’s another step forward in proving what we know: play changes everything for children in healthcare.
Read the story: bit.ly/4mMnir8
#StarlightFoundation
Our first Innovation in Health Play Awards celebrated brilliant healthcare professionals using play to transform children’s hospital experiences.
From anxiety-reducing VIP passes to 3D printed MRI models cutting anaesthetic use by 88%, the results are inspiring.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4mkMmFQ
From anxiety-reducing VIP passes to 3D printed MRI models cutting anaesthetic use by 88%, the results are inspiring.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4mkMmFQ
August 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Our first Innovation in Health Play Awards celebrated brilliant healthcare professionals using play to transform children’s hospital experiences.
From anxiety-reducing VIP passes to 3D printed MRI models cutting anaesthetic use by 88%, the results are inspiring.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4mkMmFQ
From anxiety-reducing VIP passes to 3D printed MRI models cutting anaesthetic use by 88%, the results are inspiring.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4mkMmFQ
Therapeutic play changes how children experience hospital, reducing fear, improving recovery, and building confidence.
Alistair Strathern MP saw it in action at Lister Hospital & is now calling for greater NHS health play provision. 💜
Read more: bit.ly/45fV9CH
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation
Alistair Strathern MP saw it in action at Lister Hospital & is now calling for greater NHS health play provision. 💜
Read more: bit.ly/45fV9CH
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation
August 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Therapeutic play changes how children experience hospital, reducing fear, improving recovery, and building confidence.
Alistair Strathern MP saw it in action at Lister Hospital & is now calling for greater NHS health play provision. 💜
Read more: bit.ly/45fV9CH
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation
Alistair Strathern MP saw it in action at Lister Hospital & is now calling for greater NHS health play provision. 💜
Read more: bit.ly/45fV9CH
#PlayToHeal #StarlightFoundation
💜 “They remember the fun, not the fear.”
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4lwzHhH
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4lwzHhH
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
August 13, 2025 at 8:51 AM
💜 “They remember the fun, not the fear.”
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4lwzHhH
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
At @moorfieldsfriends.bsky.social, nurse Jenny sees the magic of play every day, helping children feel safe, confident, and cared for in hospital.
Read her story: bit.ly/4lwzHhH
#PlayToHeal #TherapeuticPlay #ChildHealth #StarlightFoundation
It was great to hear Dr Steve Turner, President of the @rcpch.bsky.social highlight the importance of the #NHSPlayWellToolkit at the 50th anniversary conference of The Society of Health Play Specialists.
June 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
It was great to hear Dr Steve Turner, President of the @rcpch.bsky.social highlight the importance of the #NHSPlayWellToolkit at the 50th anniversary conference of The Society of Health Play Specialists.
We welcome this report and especially endorse the recommendations for a National Play strategy for England and for play to be embedded within children’s healthcare.
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
June 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM
We welcome this report and especially endorse the recommendations for a National Play strategy for England and for play to be embedded within children’s healthcare.
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
Today is International Day of Play, and the Raising the Nation Play Commission have published their report: Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
#InternationalDayOfPlay
#IDOP2025
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
#InternationalDayOfPlay
#IDOP2025
June 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Today is International Day of Play, and the Raising the Nation Play Commission have published their report: Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
#InternationalDayOfPlay
#IDOP2025
👉 Read our response: www.starlight.org.uk/new-national...
#InternationalDayOfPlay
#IDOP2025
The work that Sophie's Legacy does for children in hospital is immeasurable and we are so utterly proud to have shared this moment, and this work, with Charlotte and her charity. 💚⭐
#NHSPlayWellToolkit
#NHSPlayWellToolkit
June 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The work that Sophie's Legacy does for children in hospital is immeasurable and we are so utterly proud to have shared this moment, and this work, with Charlotte and her charity. 💚⭐
#NHSPlayWellToolkit
#NHSPlayWellToolkit
'You wouldn't run a children's ward without a nurse, why would you run one without a play specialist?'
We’ve got many reflections on yesterday’s fantastic launch event for our Play Well Toolkit, but one moment in particular hit home for us all, and we’d like to share that with you. 💚
We’ve got many reflections on yesterday’s fantastic launch event for our Play Well Toolkit, but one moment in particular hit home for us all, and we’d like to share that with you. 💚
June 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
'You wouldn't run a children's ward without a nurse, why would you run one without a play specialist?'
We’ve got many reflections on yesterday’s fantastic launch event for our Play Well Toolkit, but one moment in particular hit home for us all, and we’d like to share that with you. 💚
We’ve got many reflections on yesterday’s fantastic launch event for our Play Well Toolkit, but one moment in particular hit home for us all, and we’d like to share that with you. 💚