New podcast episode explores why play matters in health and social care
In Episode 7, Alyson Thomas is joined by Marianne Mannello, Assistant Director at Play Wales, for a thoughtful conversation about the important role play plays in children's health and social care journeys.
Play is often associated with fun and recreation, but this episode explores why it is much more than that. Marianne explains how play supports children's emotional wellbeing, resilience, learning, brain development and sense of belonging, and why it is recognised as a fundamental right under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The conversation also looks at the role of play when children are experiencing illness, attending hospital appointments or navigating wider care systems. Marianne shares how opportunities to play can help make challenging experiences less frightening, more manageable and more child-centred, while highlighting the important work of health play specialists in supporting children and families before, during and after medical procedures.
The discussion explores some of the challenges facing play provision across healthcare settings in Wales, including workforce, funding and space pressures, and considers why a more joined-up, play-informed approach is needed to ensure all children can benefit from play when accessing health and care services.
Together, they discuss:
- Why play is vital for children's wellbeing, development and resilience
- The barriers modern children face in accessing time, space and permission to play
- Why play matters even more during illness, treatment and uncertainty
- The role of health play specialists in supporting children before, during and after procedures
- Why children's access to play in healthcare settings is inconsistent across Wales
- Workforce, funding and space challenges affecting play in hospitals and care settings
- How play helps children express themselves and have a stronger voice in their care
- Why health and social care services should take a more joined-up, play-informed approach
Since recording this episode, Play Wales and Starlight UK have begun implementing the Play Well in Wales project. Running over two years, the project aims to support a strategic approach to play in healthcare settings across Wales by embedding the Play Well Toolkit within NHS trusts, supporting families and strengthening play-based approaches in children's healthcare.
Early work has included bringing together health play managers from across Wales and establishing a Play Well in Wales Task Force to help strengthen and develop the children's health play system.
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone working in health, social care, children's services, policy or family support, as well as anyone interested in children's rights and creating services that better reflect children's experiences and needs.
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