Priority Space helps move hospital playroom up the agenda

Priority Space has responded to an urgent request to help develop a new playroom at Leeds Children’s Hospital for children born with heart problems.

 The company has sponsored the complete refit of a newly decorated playroom to create new storage of toys, games and jigsaws, interactive light features and plenty of space to play.  More than £1,000 was needed to invest in furniture and fittings to complete the project and ensure the room could open for children, as planned.

 Directors of Priority Space Adam Richardson and Lee Buchanan responded to a direct call for support from its charity partner Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) which supports the hospital’s ‘Congenital Heart Unit’.

 Adam said: “When the charity got in touch, we decided this was something we could help with right away and make a difference. We’re both Dads of young kids and know how much we’d appreciate having a safe fun place for them to play if we were in that situation.”

CHSF’s Corporate Partnerships Manager Amanda Warrent said: “We are so grateful to Priority Space for responding so quickly and sponsoring our playroom project. Nurses on the children’s heart ward were desperate to get some funding to complete the room and Priority Space’s help means they can transform the space straight away. Thank you.”

 The refit includes storage boxes, shelving and drawers for easy access to toys and craft materials, all of which are rotated on a regular basis as many children visit the hospital lots of times over a long period for treatment.

There will also be a play desk for organised activities and ‘play meetings’ with nurses plus several tall, individual play units on castors which can be rolled to the bedside for children who cannot get up to play.

Hundreds of babies and children born with heart defects receive life-saving surgery, treatment and specialist care at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit each year. CHSF provides vital equipment and support.

Adam said: “The specialist NHS team at Leeds Children's Hospital treat babies and children born with heart conditions from across our region and we hope our support through CHSF helps them in a small way to deliver this excellent healthcare.”

Amanda added: “Children's Heart Surgery Fund aim to make a child's experience of coming to hospital a more positive one, helping the whole family to cope during the long and emotional journey they face through surgery and treatments. Our corporate partners enable us to do this.”

Priority Space picked up an Ikea bill for £1,029.80 for the playroom.

To find out more about CHSF and donate to the hospital, visit chsf.org.uk/donate.