Events and activities

We have lots of different activities on offer, in and around the hospital for both inpatients, outpatients, and their siblings, that connects children, young people, the play team, the Young People's Forum (YPF) and our brilliant volunteers together.

Activities hosted at GOSH

A poster with the words GOSH after hours and colourful illustrations of people.

After Hours

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

Who for: Young people and their siblings, aged 12 -years-old 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.

A poster with a purple background, and the words "Paint and Sip Every Tuesday between 4.30 and 5.30pm at The Cov. With illustrations of paint and paint brushes

Paint and Sip Club

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-old and over

When: Every Tuesday to 4.30pm and 5.30pm

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

What: Painting, snacks, music and much more

For more details: Please contact Sian Spencer-Little.

A photo of a group of people smiling with their thumbs up.

Radio Lollipop

Radio Lollipop are a brilliant charity organisation, and they were founded in the UK in 1979, and have been at GOSH since 2004.

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

For more details: Reach out to Kala Diran

A photo of a group of people smiling, wearing yellow t-shirts with their hands in the air.

Weekend Club

When: Saturdays and Sundays between 1pm and 4pm

Where: Outside PALS and Pharmacy - The Cove

What: A wide range of arts and craft activities as well as face painting for both patients and siblings

For more details: Contact Ajay Gosai and Jamie Wilcox

Friends who visit

Four people pulling silly faces

Giggle Doctors

When: Every Tuesday

What: Music, play, magic and storytelling by our Giggle Doctors.

For more details: Reach out to Jamie Wilcox

An illustration of a face in black, on a blue background

GOSH Charity Hub

What: The GOSH 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: Open Monday to Friday, from 11.30am to 2pm.

Photo of a small very fluffy light brown dog wearing a blue coat explaining that he is a GOSH therapy dog volunteer. He is stood on his back legs with his front paws rests on a table.

GOSH Therapy Dogs

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

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

A man smiling with a bookcase full of brightly coloured books and a girl holding a book.

Read for Good

What: 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.

Two people wearing hats and orange t-shirts outside of Great Ormond Street Hospital entrance, holding dinosaurs

Rent-A-Dinosaur

What: 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.

The words Spread a Smile in pink, orange and blue backgrounds

Spread a Smile

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.

When: Spread a Smile visit GOSH on Thursdays

For more information: Reach out to Jamie Wilcox

The Flying Seagull Project

What: Want to see some spinning plates, circus games, parachute games or a full show? Come and hang with our friends and meet the amazing clowns, musicians and entertainers.

The words The Spitz on yellow background

The Spitz Charitable Trust

The Spitz Charitable Trust 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

Four people in Stars Wars fancy dress

UK Garrison

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.