Spread a Smile today announces its latest hospital partner, the Oxford Children’s Hospital, located on the John Radcliffe Hospital site in Oxford and part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). The hospital cares for people across the surrounding area and children and young people receiving treatment, along with their families, are invited to join the inspirational Spread a Smile family and benefit from its services.
Spread a Smile’s mission is to bring joy and laughter to as many seriously ill children as possible in NHS hospitals, clinical settings, hospices and homes across the UK. OUH joins 33 other major and speciality NHS hospitals and six hospice partners already supported by Spread a Smile, taking the charity one step closer to its aim of spreading smiles across the country.
The fantastic Spread a Smile team of talented entertainers, including musicians, artists, magicians and therapy dogs, will spend quality time with patients in hospital through in-person visits. Patients and their families will also be able to access weekly virtual group activity sessions, including art clubs, magic, storytelling and more, enabling the charity to see and support as many people as possible. All with the aim of spreading hundreds of smiles and a lot of happiness to children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses and their families.
Young patients at the Children’s Hospital will also be able to join special themed virtual activity days celebrating seasonal occasions during school holidays, benefit from regular treat drops and enjoy entertainer visits scheduled throughout the year.
The imitative gives so much to the seriously ill children and their families, easing suffering and bringing moments of joy and laughter that can help alleviate the mental and emotional burden these children face during prolonged hospital stays and painful treatments.
This partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to improving the hospital experience for children and their families by providing much-needed relief and creating positive, joyful memories during their treatment periods.
Joanne Pinney, Health Play Specialist Team Manager at OUH, said:
“THE TEAM AT OXFORD ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THE NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH SPREAD A SMILE. IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VISITORS TO THE WARD AREAS FOLLOWING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. NOW, WE ARE ABLE TO WITNESS THE SOUNDS OF CHILDREN SINGING ALONG WITH A FAIRY OR THE LAUGHTER AND DELIGHT AS MAGIC TRICKS ARE PERFORMED. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO SPREAD A SMILE FOR BRINGING SO MUCH FUN TO US. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE EXCITING VISITS FROM THE CHARITY.”
Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive added,
“SPREAD A SMILE’S PARTNERSHIP WITH OUH MEANS WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH AND SUPPORT EVEN MORE SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS A PLEASURE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEIR BRILLIANT TEAMS TO HELP SPREAD SMILES AND BRING JOY AND LAUGHTER TO YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE HOSPITAL’S CARE.”
Who are Spread a Smile?
Spread a Smile is a UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of seriously ill children and their families through entertainment and artistic activities in NHS hospitals and hospices. Founded in 2013, the charity utilizes a team of professional entertainers such as magicians, musicians, artists, fairies, and therapy dogs to provide joy and laughter, helping to alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with serious illnesses and hospital stays.
The charity’s activities are not just about entertainment; they also include a variety of family-focused events that allow families to spend quality time together outside of the hospital environment. Spread a Smile’s resident artists contribute by transforming hospital spaces into more child-friendly environments, making the settings more welcoming and less intimidating for young patients.
Looking ahead, Spread a Smile has ambitious plans to expand its impact. In the 2024-25 period, the charity aims to deliver over 13,200 in-person bedside visits and more than 2,640 virtual visits. Working in collaboration with 34 NHS hospitals and six hospice partners, Spread a Smile is planning to increase its partnerships to 45 within the year, ensuring that more children and families can benefit from their services across the UK.
How can Oxfordshire Residents help?
Residents of Oxfordshire have various opportunities to support Spread a Smile and its mission to brighten the lives of seriously ill children. Here are some ways people in the community can get involved:
Volunteering
Spread a Smile welcomes volunteers to assist with their programs and events. Whether it’s helping at family events, assisting in the coordination of hospital visits, or offering administrative support, volunteers play a crucial role in the charity’s operations.
Fundraising
Individuals, schools, and businesses can organize fundraising events to support Spread a Smile. From bake sales and charity runs to gala events and sponsored challenges, there are numerous creative ways to raise funds.
Corporate Partnerships
Local businesses can partner with Spread a Smile to provide critical financial support through donations or by sponsoring specific programs or events. This not only helps the charity expand its reach but also enhances the corporate social responsibility profile of the businesses involved.
Donations
Direct donations are always welcome and are vital for sustaining the ongoing activities of the charity. These can be one-time gifts or regular contributions through a monthly giving program.
Spreading Awareness
Sharing information about Spread a Smile through social media and community networks can increase the charity’s visibility and encourage more people to contribute their time or resources.
