Teddies in the spotlight in children’s theatres

Plymouth Children’s Theatres have set up a dedicated Facebook page to capture the experience of children’s teddies brought into hospital.

Noticing how important cuddly toys are to the children, particularly on the day of an operation when they are feeling nervous, Simon Courtman, Consultant Anaesthetist at Derriford Hospital, decided to set up the page to capture the wonder of all of the toys visiting the hospital, giving something fun to talk about on the day.

Simon said: “What I find interesting is the type of toy, the name it is given and just how ‘loved’ it has been. It really does give you a little peek into the child’s world.

“On the page, we include pictures of the toys in the theatres and recovery areas, and also pictures of some of the staff that the children might meet on the day, which is often helpful when the children are preparing to come in for their operation, as it removes some of the anxiety that exists beforehand. It makes them aware of who may be caring for them before coming to hospital.”

Plymouth Children’s Theatres FacebookEarlier this year, the page also featured a popular ‘Toy of the Year’ online competition from the top 10 toys in the past year, where a very loved rabbit was a clear winner.

Simon continued: “We’re planning to do a walkthrough to let the children see the route that they would take and show the area before arriving. It will also include some of the staff in their roles and show what they do.”

To find out more, please search for ‘Plymouth Star Toys’ or visit the Facebook page via: http://bit.ly/PlymouthStarToys