Playroom

A place for play and a time to set the imagination free

Momentum opened a newly refurbished and revitalised Playroom in the Paediatric Department at Kingston Hospital on 25th November 2013. The project was designed by Grosvenor Interiors with input from children being treated at the hospital and from the nursing staff.

A play service has existed at Kingston Hospital since the 1980s. The service is supported by a well established team of hospital play specialists who create the best environment for each patient's play.

Above and bottom: Following Momentum's transformation

Below: Before

Within a hospital context, play can have a therapeutic value and is proven to hasten recovery. It is crucial that children staying in hospital should have daily access to a play specialist. Play helps to regain skills lost through illness and hospitalisation. It is also a very useful distraction from strange sights, sounds and smells. Play can be a useful aid to diagnosis and treatment. It also helps a child gain control over a potentially frightening environment and helps the child to cope with new medical procedures and interventions.

Deborah Ridcot, Play Specialist at Kingston Hospital

The Momentum Playroom project cost £18,000 which was raised by these special benefactors: Gary Keene, American Women of Surrey, Christ Church C of E Primary School, Deborah Wastie, NBC Winner Foundation, Norbiton Espresso Bar, the Giles family, Andrew Treagus, EML Wildfire.