Gameshow creator Alex Horne launches 'Taskmaster Hospital Club' to uplift young patients
The club gives children staying on hospital wards a chance to tackle unusual challenges to lift their spirits and keep them busy
Alex Horne, known for creating the acclaimed TV series Taskmaster, has embarked on a new initiative in Surrey aimed at entertaining young patients in hospitals.
The Taskmaster Hospital Club, launched at Frimley Park Hospital, is designed to bring entertainment and engagement through creative tasks, replicating the show's format in a healthcare setting.
Taskmaster, which originated as a fringe show, has grown into a beloved staple of television that sees participants engage in quirky and challenging tasks.
The concept has now extended beyond its traditional environments into the realms of healthcare, offering a source of fun and distraction for children facing health challenges.
Launching Taskmaster Hospital Club
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Horne shared his thoughts on launching the programme in a hospital setting:
"Yes, so it was quite nerve-wracking going to Friendly Park Hospital and running Taskmaster Club there, because normally the health workers do it themselves and they know what they're doing, whereas I am an idiot from TV.
The new initiative, spearheaded by Horne and the Taskmaster Education Team, aims to provide something different for kids undergoing treatment.
Horne told us he's used to adapting the show for new players:
"We've done it in many schools, and it's been to care homes and stag nights and scout groups and so on and so on.
So yes, the hospital was another thing on the ladder of pride."
Horne visited Frimley Park Hospital to debut the programme, where he interacted with young patients, including those in isolation, by setting tasks that could be done even from a hospital bed.
James Blake Lobb, instrumental in adapting Taskmaster for hospitals, leads the dedicated team working to make it accessible.
The programme is developed to be low-cost and straightforward, with NHS staff receiving the necessary materials to replicate the experience themselves.
Creating Impact and Growing Reach
The launch of the Taskmaster Hospital Club has been met with enthusiasm from NHS staff, who are keen to offer their young patients something engaging that encourages interaction and physical activity.
The hope is that this programme will be continually refined and expanded, ultimately reaching more hospitals across the UK.
Horne is optimistic about the impact of Taskmaster in hospitals, emphasising that it aligns with the ethos of the show - having fun, being creative, and interacting with others.
He hopes to see the initiative inspire further creative avenues within healthcare, potentially encouraging other similar projects.