Recommended by over 90% of subscribers
Recommended by over 90% of subscribers
Bringing connection, comfort, and moments of joy to children and families through personalised play and support.
On the Emily Kent Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the playroom is home to something a little bit special.
This small but mighty paediatric oncology ward has just four beds — a calm, carefully managed environment designed to keep children safe from infection while they undergo chemotherapy. Thanks to the introduction of the Happiness Programme, provided free of charge by Social-Ability, the ward also has a powerful new way to bring smiles, connection, and comfort to children and families during an incredibly challenging time.
The Happiness Programme is a natural fit for a ward where care is deeply personal and tailored to each individual family. Every child’s needs are different: some families prefer not to fully share their child’s diagnosis, some children are neurodiverse, and all have their own personalities, preferences, and ways of coping. Personalised, responsive support is key — and meaningful moments of play can make a huge difference.
When children are receiving palliative care, the team create ‘comfort boxes’ full of personal items — favourite character bedsheets, toys, sensory objects — to transform a clinical room into a space that feels as homely and comforting as possible. In the same spirit, the Happiness Programme helps create moments of normality, excitement and fun — all tailored to each child’s unique situation.
The Happiness Programme offers far more than just entertainment. It becomes a flexible tool that adapts to many different needs: providing playful distraction during medical procedures, calming nerves before treatments, or simply offering much-needed fun to break up long days.
It’s also a wonderful way to encourage connection. When two children are well enough to interact together, the projector can spark shared laughter and play — helping ease the loneliness that can often come with extended hospital stays.
“You can see the difference a little fun makes — it gives them back some of their energy and spirit.”
Family Support Worker at Gloucester Royal Children’s Hospital
Older children and teenagers often experience a different kind of emotional challenge.
While younger children may be more shielded from the social impact of treatment, teenagers are often acutely aware of what they are missing — school, friendships, milestones. Treatment typically means stepping away from school life for a year or more, and the return can feel slow and isolating.
Support groups for young people offer vital spaces to reconnect, share experiences, and rebuild confidence — and interactive activities like the Happiness Programme help spark those moments of joy, interaction and peer support.
It feels fitting that the Emily Kent Unit — named after Julie Kent MBE’s daughter, Emily — is a place filled with such care, comfort, and happiness. Julie Kent’s tireless work supporting families and raising awareness of childhood cancer continues to inspire the local community and beyond.
At Social-Ability, we’re proud to play a small part in this wider network of support — providing the Happiness Programme free of charge to settings like Gloucestershire Royal, and helping children and families find light, laughter, and connection, even in the hardest times.
“Ring this bell, three times well
It’s toll to clearly say
My treatment is done
This course is run
And now I’m on my way!“
The poem displayed on the wall at Emily Kent Unit, read out loud by children after their final course of treatment
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