Pantomime delivers dose of festive cheer to poorly children
Pantomime delivers a dose of festive cheer to poorly children
Children supported by Worcestershire’s Orchard Service - the County's Children's Community Nursing and Palliative Care Team were treated to a fun-filled performance on Friday, as the cast of Starlight UK arrived in Droitwich to perform their adaptation of panto classic Aladdin.
Laughter aplenty as the audience were encouraged to join in and singalong, heckling the cast in traditional panto style as they performed.
The fun didn’t stop there, families were treated to games, face painting and Christmas crafts, with refreshments and icecream provided, courtesy of Naturally Wild.
Orchard Service, provided by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust cares for babies, children and young people living in Worcestershire with complex, life threatening and limiting conditions.
They work closely with GPs, children’s hospital wards, Paediatricians, Health Visitors and School Health Nurses to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital and promote early discharge.
Laura Phillimore, Community Health Play Specialist for Orchard Service said, “We know that having a child with a long term, complex or life limiting/threatening condition can sometimes make spending time as a family difficult. We hope that events such as this give families an opportunity to come together and enjoy activities, in a relaxed environment, adapted to support the needs of the children in attendance.”
The performance was one of a number of dates in the festive schedule for Starlight, a national charity that grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children and provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK.
The cast tour the UK with their interactive performances, using music and dance to provide children and their families with a fun escape from their treatment.
Through charitable donations, Orchard Service is able to host regular events such as this for children and their families. They also provide families with memory boxes for special mementos, following the death of a child.