Children find fun in hospital with new Taskmaster project in Surrey
Frimley Health launches the first playful NHS initiative
Frimley Health has teamed up with Taskmaster Education to introduce the Taskmaster Hospital Club, a fun new initiative for children in Surrey hospital wards.
Using the format from the popular Channel 4 TV show, this project aims to keep young patients entertained during their hospital stays with creative challenges.
The fun kicked off last month at Frimley Park Hospital, where Taskmaster's creator Alex Horne joined staff, patients, and young volunteers to launch the project.
The day started with a video from Alex, inviting around a dozen youngsters aged 9-16 to dive into task-based activities like joke-telling and drawing without lifting the pencil.
Everyone earned points for their efforts, and the top scorer took home a special Taskmaster certificate.
"I wasn't entirely sure that kids in hospital would want to complete ridiculous tasks set by me, but having seen the programme in action, run by the brilliant people at Frimley Heath, I'm incredibly proud that we can help provide some fun distraction," Alex Horne said.
Families loved the experience, saying it brought joy and offered a welcome break from hospital life.
Katie Wilson, Interim Head of Nursing for Babies, Children, and Young People at Frimley Health, expressed excitement about the project bringing smiles to young faces.
"From the moment we first discussed bringing Taskmaster to our children’s wards, we knew it had the potential to be something truly special. Hospital can be a daunting place for young people, and this project offers a fun, uplifting distraction during what can be a difficult time. During the initial trial, we received amazing feedback from everyone who took part," Katie Wilson said.
In the Taskmaster Hospital Club, health play specialists and nurses play the role of Taskmaster, with the help of Alex Horne on screen, and young patients become the contestants, taking on tasks manageable within hospital settings.
Ellen Duke, from NHS England, shared how they adapted the school-based format for hospitals after feedback showed kids needed more activities during their stays.
"We started working with Taskmaster Education in the summer of last year to adapt their format that is delivered in schools to be suitable for children in hospital. The motivation for the project came from the results of a patient experience survey where some children and young people told us there isn't enough to do when they're in hospital," Ellen Duke said.
"This is an easy to use, flexible resource that can be modified to suit the patients whether it’s to accommodate additional needs or to make the tasks more difficult for older children.”
The Taskmaster Hospital Club is set to roll out nationwide, available for free to hospital wards everywhere through NHS Futures with easily usable resources for staff.