Events and activities

After Hours is a new project (previously Teen Café).

Who for: Young people and their siblings, aged 12 years and over

When:  Wednesdays between 5pm to 6.30pm

Where: outside Pals and Pharmacy, also known as The COVE

What: You'll find members of the Play Team and YPF with opportunities for gaming, a chance to say hello, chat and chill, or take part in some creative activities, and much more... We have a table tennis table and a sensory space, for chilling out, for some much needed down time with a good book.

For more details: please contact Sian Spencer-Little or Shelby Davies.

This is all about creativity and painting and has been curated and set up by Siobhan and Izzy –our play team colleagues from Koala Ward.

Who for: young people aged 11 years and over

When: Every Tuesday to 4.30 and 5.30pm

Where: Outside PALS and Pharmacy, also known as The COVE

What: Painting, snacks, music and much more... in a non-clinical, relaxed space.

For more details: please contact Sian Spencer-Little.

Radio Lollipop are a brilliant charity organisation, and they were founded in the UK in 1979, and have been at GOSH since 2004. The amazing Radio Lollipop volunteers visit GOSH through-out the week, and on Sundays, Do reach out to Jamie and Ajay in Volunteers to find out more.

When: Volunteers visit GOSH throughout the week, and on Sundays. They broadcast through to TVs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with live shows and ward activities every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 6 - 8pm and Sunday 4 - 6pm.

For more details: Reach out to Kala Diran

When: Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4pm

Where: Outside PALS and Pharmacy, aka The Cove

What: They offer a wide range of Arts and Craft activities as well as Face Painting to both patients and siblings

For more details: Contact Ajay Gosai and Jamie Wilcox

When: Every Tuesday

What: By combining music, play, magic and storytelling our Giggle Doctors bring joy and laughter to brave children in challenging times. Our Giggle Doctors wear their very own ‘doctor coats’, which represents their character, and spend time one to one with the children

For more details: Reach out to Jamie Wilcox

Our Charity colleagues have a hub space situated in the lagoon where you can find out about events, how to become a charity champion, some of the research projects and funding they are involved in, as well as saying Hello, and enjoying some arts and crafts.

When: they are open Monday to Friday 11.30am to 2pm.

At Great Ormond Street Hospital we have a team of wonderful canine volunteers who visit patients, visitors, and staff.

It is well proven that animals can reduce the stress of being in hospital, so we also have canine volunteers.

The main aim of our therapy dogs is to cheer up children and young people who might be missing their pet at home. They bring a smile to everyone they visit – staff as well as families – and generally make us all feel better.

When: they visit GOSH regularly and go to most wards and departments.

For more details: contact Kala Diran or visit our website.

GOSH was one of the first hospitals in London to benefit from the Read for Good service, which was launched by beloved children’s author Malorie Blackman in 2014. Patients at GOSH enjoy regular visits from the storytellers who share delightful tales with our children, young people and families. Read For Good also provide us with books and stories for our patients and families to continue their love of reading whilst in hospital.

Want to meet a tyrannosaurus rex? A lumbering triceratops? Cute baby dinosaur? An awesome stegosaurus? Come and hang with our friends for an unforgettable dinosaur experience.

Spread a Smile have been supporting us for many years, and their support ranges from whole day visits and spreading joy to inpatient and outpatient areas. They also support us during celebrations and multi- faith festivals, as well as summer and Christmas Parties. Marina Head of Arts at Spread A Smile also creates magical art work across the hospital.

When: Spread a Smile visit GOSH on Thursdays

For more information: Reach out to Jamie Wilcox

The Spitz Charitable Trust uses the power of live music to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation and loneliness. They provide fun and participatory music sessions at the hospital, and have visited wards and outpatient departments over the last year. The Spitz build relationships with patients and their families nurturing memories and creating new ones.

When: The Spitz musicians visit the hospital on a regular basis.

For more details: visit The Spitz website, or contact Play Services.

Did you know GOSH is friends with the empire? We are lucky that we are allies with the empire and they make regular visits to meet children, young people and their families to create laughter, joy and beautiful memories.