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Starlight Children's Foundation

Starlight Children's Foundation

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Starlight is the national children’s charity that exists to champion the importance of play.

Offical page for Starlight Children's Foundation in the UK.

28/05/2026

Music, movement and sensory play all in one 🎶✨

Our Songs, Signs & Sounds sessions with SEND music practitioners Karen and Georgie are designed to support young people with SEND and PMLD through interactive music-making, signing and calming sensory experiences.

Whether at home, in school or in care settings, these short online sessions are created to help bring connection, communication and moments of joy.

🎥 Watch Karen and Georgie in action via the Songs, Signs & Sounds YouTube playlist: https://ow.ly/4fmb50Yn3Ja

28/05/2026

More than a day at the races🏇

This year’s Starlight Charity Raceday at Newbury Racecourse marked a major milestone, the 20th anniversary of the event, coinciding with Starlight’s 40th anniversary year.

For two decades, the racing community has come together to raise vital funds helping seriously ill children experience the power of play during treatment and hospital stays.

From the energy of the races to the generosity shown throughout the day, this year’s event was a powerful reminder of the impact that community, compassion and play can have on children facing healthcare challenges.

Huge thanks to everyone who supported the day, including Event Chair Nicky Henderson OBE and all those who continue to champion Starlight’s mission.

Watch the highlight reel from the day 🎥

27/05/2026

🏆 The Starlight Health Play Awards are back for 2026!

Every day, health play professionals across the UK help children face fear, trauma and treatment through the power of play.

Now it’s time to celebrate them.

Nominations are officially OPEN for the 2026 Starlight Health Play Awards, recognising the incredible individuals and teams transforming healthcare experiences for seriously ill children.

This year you can nominate for:

⭐ Protector of Play⭐ Health Play Specialist of the Year⭐ Mentor of the Year⭐ Play Team of the Year

From easing anxiety before procedures to helping children regain confidence and control, these professionals make an extraordinary difference every single day.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them now via our website ⬇️

https://ow.ly/6Bug50Z4Csj

26/05/2026

“Before play, it was just so boring.”

When Malaboge was in hospital at Northwick Park, days could feel long, lonely and overwhelming. Then play changed everything.

From paint by numbers to feeling treated “like family”, play gave her comfort, distraction and something positive to hold onto during treatment.

Now, her artwork is more than just a picture. It’s a memory she’ll keep forever.

Watch Malaboge’s story and see the difference play can make for children in hospital.

21/05/2026

Looking for playful ways to help children feel calmer and more confident in hospital?

Our new Dexter Procter resources, created with Adam Kay - writer / comedian, Henry Paker and Puffin Books, are designed for healthcare professionals to use with young patients through creativity and play.

From drawing activities and word scrambles to fingerprint mazes and step by step tutorials, these resources help children engage, express themselves and feel more at ease during healthcare experiences.

Adam Kay, bestselling author of This Is Going to Hurt, and illustrator Henry Paker have teamed up to bring Dexter Procter to life in a way that’s fun, imaginative and accessible for children in healthcare settings.

Because sometimes a doodle, a game or a laugh can make a difficult day feel a little bit lighter.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/Fhjl50Z2zzM

Photos from Starlight Children's Foundation's post 15/05/2026

📚✨ Laughter, stories and smiles filled the children's ward at Northwick Park Hospital, London (London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust) this week as comedian and bestselling author Adam Kay - writer / comedian visited young patients alongside illustrator Henry Paker.

As part of the tour for their new children's book, Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor, the pair hosted joyful storytelling sessions and handed out signed copies to children in hospital. 💓

The visit celebrated the power of reading, imagination and play in helping children feel comforted and connected during difficult times in hospital.

“Hospitals can be very scary and lonely places for patients of any age, but especially children, who might never have been away from home before. Reading and playing are so important, not just to have fun, but to fire up the imagination, bring people together, and help communicate how you’re really feeling. And it’s quite good at taking your mind off the lumps in your mashed potato at lunch. " - Adam Kay

A huge thank you to Adam, Henry, Puffin Books and our Starlight Champions for helping to bring moments of joy to young patients. 🌟

You can read more about Adam's visit via the link in comments. 🙂

14/05/2026

“Play gives children a language.” 💛

At Northwick Park Hospital, Play Practitioner Jalpaben Gohil sees every day how play helps children express fear, regain confidence, and feel more in control during difficult hospital experiences.

Because play isn’t just about keeping children entertained.
It helps them communicate, cope with procedures, and feel seen in environments that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

When play is embedded across healthcare, children don’t just get through treatment, they engage with it in a safer, calmer, more supported way.

That’s the power of play.✨

12/05/2026

Today, on International Nurses Day, we’re celebrating the incredible nurses who help make healthcare feel safer, calmer and more human for children.

Nurses like Raquel Duncombe, a London anaesthetic from Princess Royal University Hospital part of King's College Hospital NHS who was named joint winner of Starlight’s 2025 Protector of Play Award.
Raquel uses the power of play to support children facing emergency surgery, helping reduce fear, ease distress and create moments of calm in an overwhelming environment.

To Raquel, and to every nurse using compassion, skill and care to support children through some of their toughest moments, thank you.

Your work changes everything!

11/05/2026

Mental health matters at every age!

For many children, hospital can feel overwhelming, scary, and isolating. But through play, they’re given something powerful back, a sense of safety, expression, and control.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on the vital role play has in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing in healthcare.

Because when a child feels heard, supported, and understood, healing goes far beyond the physical ✨

08/05/2026

Win an exclusive yard visit with Nicky Henderson ⭐

Ever wondered what it's like to spend the day with one of Britain's leading trainers? 💡

Thanks to Starlight Children's Foundation and their charity raffle, you could win an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to Seven Barrows with Nicky Henderson, experiencing the day-to-day operations of a top racing yard, before enjoying a raceday at Newbury Racecourse as his honorary owner for the day 🏇

You can purchase raffle tickets now - with a host of other great prizes up for grabs - to help support Starlight's amazing work, transforming the lives of children in hospital 🌟

Tickets ➡️ ow.ly/nZGN50YWHyU

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Location

London

Website

Address


227 Shepherds Bush Road
London
W67AU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm