Our work in the Royal Free Hospital, London

Our service here launched in 2013, providing children of all ages with brand new books and engaging stories to take their mind off the strain of being in hospital.

The Royal Free Hospital enjoys regular visits from our storyteller Jen, who also spends time at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton and Evelina London Children’s Hospital! Jen encourages children to tell their own stories, and captures them on an iPad; it’s remarkable how this process can encourage even the most reluctant child to chat away and express their feelings through the story.

Jen also works at The Hive, which is a new, non-medical setting for ‘Emotionally Based School Refusers’. The Eating Disorders unit is based at another setting half a mile in the opposite direction. It’s so important that children and young people with a range of conditions have access to the best quality books, as these can be vital in helping them to make sense of a complicated world.

“Thank you so much – you are doing a fantastic job! My little boy laughed and smiled when we read a funny story and forgot what a hard week he has had at hospital.”

Parent of 5-year-old patient, Royal Free Hospital