Newcastle Hospitals Charity has teamed up with Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books, to launch a storytelling initiative for young patients. The programme brings professional storytellers directly into the North East’s Great North Children’s Hospital and the Freeman Hospital to deliver creative group sessions and bedside storytelling experiences that spark joy and support well-being during hospital stays. Delivered as part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity’s Arts Programme, this project brings dynamic stories to life across The Great North Children’s Hospital and the Freeman Hospital wards, enabling 10 sessions to take place every month.
The impact of the initiative has already proven meaningful, with over 430 contacts with young patients and families to date. Hospital staff report that patients leave the interactive sessions feeling significantly happier, relaxed and more connected to others. Through the storytelling, the sessions actively engage patients and empower them with meaningful cultural experiences, helping them maintain a sense of normality during clinical treatments.
Katie Newell, Head of Arts Programme at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “Connecting babies, children and young people with Seven Stories’ Storytellers during hospital stays creates opportunity for escapism into imaginary worlds, and moments of joy, when it is often needed most.
“Patients tell us how the storytelling sessions are fun and make them feel less stressed and worried about being in hospital, while families report reading together more, because of the experience. We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Seven Stories and look forward to continuing this valued work together.”
Laura McShane, Health Play Specialist, added: “Tom, our storyteller, has had a profoundly positive impact across our children’s wards with both our patients and our staff team. He has created meaningful moments of imagination, comfort and connection for patients and their families during what is a challenging time.
“Through engaging stories and creative interactions, children and young people have been given opportunities to express themselves, reduce anxiety and maintain a sense of normality whilst in hospital. The programme has helped make the ward environment more welcoming and child-friendly for patients, supporting emotional wellbeing and enhancing the overall patient experience. We have seen firsthand how storytelling can bring joy and laughter to everyone around. Thank you to Tom, Newcastle Hospitals Charity Arts team, and Seven Stories.”
Wendy Elliot, CEO at Seven Stories said: “Inspiration for the project was born out of the magic of stories to connect and the acknowledgement that not all children are able to come to us for lots of reasons so we have to be where children are. One of the impacts of this project that we’re most proud of at Seven Stories is the reading continues when children, families and siblings go home. They can take a favourite book home, and they can read it together as a family that’s a really fulfilling moment for us because that reading journey continues and children and families reading together is really special and infinitely impactful on a family units wellbeing.”
This collaboration demonstrates the integration of arts into healthcare across the region. By combining the literary expertise of Seven Stories with the clinical care of Newcastle Hospitals, the initiative ensures that a child remains uplifted, engaged and imaginative when they enter a hospital ward.
The project builds upon a growing portfolio of creative health initiatives funded by Newcastle Hospitals Charity, which recently introduced a successful ‘Dance Moves’ patient rehabilitation scheme with Dance City. Other ongoing initiatives include live music bedside sessions, visual arts exhibitions, and specialised singing groups designed to improve lung health.
