Sensory trolley helps children relax during hospital visits
A new sensory trolley to help calm and distract children during hospital visits has been funded, thanks to supporters of our Big Appeal.
Nottingham Hospitals Charity gave almost £10,000 for the Rhino sensory trolley, which has been put into action at Children’s Outpatients South at the Queen’s Medical Centre.
The activity station is frequently used by children who are having blood taken, to keep them calm and distracted, but the device is portable and can be moved to other clinic rooms when needed.
The trolley contains a variety of sensory activities, including a light-up bubble tube, and an interactive colour controller so children can change the colour of the lights in the tube.
It also includes tactile panels with soothing textures and musical instruments, a mirror ball, and an interactive projector where children can project jungle, circus or sea-themed images onto the ceiling.
Safa Mahfooz, Clinical Support Worker, said: “The Rhino trolley has made a big difference for our young patients, especially for children with special educational needs. The trolley helps to calm and distract them, especially when having blood taken. In fact, they often don’t want to leave once they’ve started playing with it!
“It gets used every day by children of all ages – a lot of babies like to play with it, right up to 17 or 18-year-olds with special educational needs. A lot of parents are intrigued by it too!
“When patients come back for their next appointment, they often come in asking to play with it.”
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Big Appeal to help fund this impactful piece of equipment.
Please help us fund more projects like this by donating to the Big Appeal today.