Young patients visiting St Albans City Hospital now have a dedicated space to play following the official opening of new children’s sensory equipment.
Guests celebrated the milestone during a special event hosted by West Herts Hospitals Charity. Attendees viewed the play equipment and the unveiling of a special plaque to recognise the generous donors who made the project possible. The sensory equipment was brought to life through a wonderful partnership between the charity and The Rotary Clubs of St Albans.
Jo Wilder, Deputy Director of Operations for Outpatients at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed her delight at the transformation. She noted that it is wonderful to have a designated space for the little ones who visit the hospital, adding that clinical teams witness first-hand how much the equipment helps to put families at ease. Following the unveiling, attendees moved to the Cathedral Wellbeing Room, a staff space funded by the charity, to enjoy refreshments and discuss the impact of the new play area.
A major contribution towards the initiative came from the St Albans Rotary Swimathon, held in April 2025 at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre. Organised by the St Albans Rotary Clubs with support from Everyone Active and the Salmon Club, the event raised £7,200 to help fund the transformation of the children’s waiting area in the Outpatients Department. Among the swimathon participants were two members of West Herts Hospitals staff: Facilities Officer Tiziano Cuoco, and Receptionist, Rungnapha Larkamphee.
Paul Kendall, Chairman of the Swimathon committee, praised the dedication of everyone involved, noting that months of planning culminated in a historic success. Alison Rosen, Chief Executive Officer of West Herts Hospitals Charity, highlighted the vital role of community support. Alison explained that while NHS funding covers essential healthcare, charitable contributions enable the charity to fund special projects, equipment, and environmental enhancements that create a welcoming environment and reduce anxiety for families.
Check out the gallery for highlights of the opening event:
