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Children’s Outpatients Appeal

Help us create child-friendly waiting areas

We’re raising £36,000 to create child-friendly, sensory play areas in the Outpatients Departments at Watford General, St Albans City Hospital, and Hemel Hempstead Hospital. Each play area will cost £12,000, and with your help, we can provide a more welcoming and supportive environment for children and their families.

Currently, there’s no dedicated waiting area for children. This often leaves young patients bored and anxious, while parents struggle to keep them entertained in a clinical setting. By introducing interactive and sensory-focused play areas, we can transform these spaces and improve the overall experience for everyone involved.

Here’s why these new play areas are so important:

Enhanced comfort for families

Keeps children entertained, helping parents feel more at ease. Makes waiting time enjoyable for children instead of stressful.

Improved Satisfaction

Families will have a more positive experience and are likely to provide better feedback. A welcoming environment demonstrates care and consideration for family needs.

Minimised Disruption

Engaged children are less likely to become restless or disruptive, creating a calmer atmosphere for everyone.

Educational Opportunities

Books, puzzles, and interactive toys encourage learning, creativity, and curiosity.

Health and Safety Benefits

Dedicated areas reduce the risk of children wandering into unsafe areas. Cleanable and child-safe furnishings ensure a hygienic and secure environment.

Time Perception Benefits

Waiting feels shorter for both parents and children when engaging activities are available. Especially helpful during long wait times, such as those in ENT services where appointments can last up to two hours.

While the current provision of small chairs, books, and toys meets the minimum standard, we aspire to create spaces that show real care for the atmosphere and experience of our young patients.

Sensory Waiting Rooms: A Game-Changer

Sensory waiting rooms will engage children through interactive and stimulating features like tactile wall panels, sensory tables, bubble walls, and themed play areas. These additions will provide:

Multisensory Exploration

Encouraging touch, movement, and problem-solving.

Visual and Auditory Engagement

Using light-up displays, interactive projections, and musical panels to create a calming yet engaging environment.

Quiet Zones

Spaces for children to self-regulate if they need a break from stimulation.

Creating sensory play areas is about more than just providing entertainment—it’s about reducing anxiety, encouraging learning through play, and demonstrating that we care about our youngest patients and their families. These areas will make a real difference during what can be a challenging time.

– Alison Rosen, CEO

Will you help us reach our £36,000 target?

Please give a gift today of whatever you can afford (the form may take a moment to load). Your support can make this vision a reality. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to our goal. Thank you for helping us bring smiles and comfort to our little patients.