Creating Joy, One Playtime at a Time: Tom’s Volunteer Story
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and GOSH Charity are supported by over 1,000 volunteers who give their time, energy, and skills to enhance the experiences of children and families. Volunteers come from all walks of life, spanning all ages and backgrounds, each with their own reasons for contributing. What unites them is their commitment to GOSH and their love for being part of the GOSH community.
This International Volunteer Day, we shine a spotlight on Tom, one of the dedicated play volunteers on the International & Private Care (I&PC) wards. Through the hospital’s Volunteer Service, Tom spends his time creating joyful moments for young patients, making a lasting impact on their hospital experience.
We met Tom during Halloween when he led a pumpkin-carving activity that brought smiles to patients and families alike.
What made you want to volunteer at GOSH?
The people here have massive hearts. They ensure every child is engaged and enjoying themselves, often involving them in decisions to improve outcomes. From the moment you walk through the doors at GOSH, you feel truly welcome.
How did you become a play volunteer?
I started my activities as a Play Enthusiast 12 years ago. Over the years, I had two breakfast clubs and one after school club. Before COVID, I was getting some good numbers of children at these clubs I ran, between about 20 and 30 children daily. But after COVID, it just died away. I had about 4 children a night. Since I had experience running play activities at my club, I thought, why not bring those skills to GOSH as well.
How do you see play as an activity?
When you are younger, you just play. But when you get older and you learn about play, you see it from a whole different point of view. You start to see how it affects children and how playing chess or any other game for instance brightens their day. It creates their environment and their own view of life.
How different are play activities in a hospital?
It is not easy what these children are going through, it is tough. So those few moments of play make them happy as they go through treatment. Play gives them a moment to be free while the treatment is happening. In the child’s face you see what it means to have experienced it. They have a connection with it and it is a lovely feeling when you find out you can actually build those connections for the children; some of whom on the International and Private Care wards may not have experienced these games before.
How do their parents and families feel about it?
There is a drive from parents and staff where they want you to come in and do something with the children. The parents want you to get involved with the children and play games with them. Families are happy when we do the play activities. You see it when their faces light up with smiles and they are also thankful from the moment you arrive, and they want you there and their energy is inviting. It a great feeling.
How does it impact you?
I feel great as well while running play activities, with everything the children and their families go through, it is rewarding to be part of helping with their journey.
What kind of activities do you do with the children?
Arts and crafts and some other activities which are more physical, anything that gets them outside is just great! There is also a game we used to play with torches. The children go outside, and they hide. And then they flash their torch for the person looking for them to come and find them. And it’s a great thing because they explore their surroundings in a way they never did before.
How did interacting with children this way add to the quality of your life?
You walk away happy. At the end of the day, it’s never about me but about the children and making sure they, as well as their parents, walk away happy. When that happens, you feel like you’ve done a great job. I walk away joyful because the children have had a lot of fun.
Tom’s contributions as a volunteer go far beyond simply providing entertainment—he helps create moments of joy that can make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families at GOSH. His work on the International and Private Care wards highlights the invaluable role of volunteers in supporting young patients, offering them comfort and distraction during their treatment. Through these efforts, Tom not only brings a sense of normality to the hospital experience but also helps foster a positive and welcoming environment for both children and parents.
Emily, Senior Health Play Specialist and Tom’s line manager, reflects on his impact: “Tom has been an amazing addition to the International and Private Care wards. His dedication to engaging with patients through play transforms difficult days into brighter ones. Play is not just a pastime, but a vital part of a child’s treatment, helping them to cope, understand, and experience much-needed fun in the midst of their healthcare journey.”
Our heartfelt thanks are extended to Tom for his selfless volunteering and the joy he spreads year round in our wards, not just on Christmas and special occasions.
