When a family member is facing diagnosis or treatment, it impacts the daily routine of a child significantly. They pick up their parents’ stress and there is the added anxiety of being left with a babysitter when they cannot accompany the parent into the diagnosis room or during appointments. And very often, parents cannot afford the cost of a babysitter.

Even at a happy time when a new baby is expected, periodic visits to the hospital could result in a traumatic experience for a child who may already be experiencing insecurity.

The “PLAYSPACE”, a free childminding facility operated by the Lyell McEwin Volunteer Association for over 59 years, provides a fun, caring childminding facility at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, enabling parents to attend appointments or visit sick relatives inwards with the comfort of knowing their children are safe and happy.

The service is hugely appreciated and as Rob, a parent who left his children in the PLAYSPACE to be with his wife during the birth of their child said, “Living in the country and having limited support nearby, It was a Godsend to be able to drop my Kids off to the PLAYSPACE. It gave me the opportunity that enabled me to be at the birth of our child which is so important for fathers”.

Lyell McEwin Hospital is seeing a diverse client base and very often new immigrants have zero support systems and extended families to fall back on for informal babysitting. The PLAYSPACE is of huge value and keeping abreast with this need, the Association is focussing on recruiting volunteers from diverse communities to make the children feel comfortable and safe.

We are excited to announce that the ‘PLAYSPACE’ is now being managed by an experienced Child –Care professional. All volunteers have National Police Clearances, DCSI Child, Whooping Cough Vaccinations and are Mandated Child Safe Notifiers.

We have put a smile on the faces of over 3000 children each year often at times that are significant milestones in the lives.

Help us continue this invaluable service by making a donation which will help us keep this service available and free.

All donations are tax-deductible.