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Santa brings festive joy to poorly children in Worcestershire
On Tuesday, families supported by Orchard Service, Worcestershire’s children's community nursing and palliative care team, got a surprise visit from Santa at Norton Parish Hall in Worcester.
Santa came bearing gifts, with each child going home with a special present.
But the fun didn’t stop there – children got to enjoy a bouncy castle and participate in other festive activities with their families such as gingerbread making, writing letters to the main man himself, board games, and face painting – topped off with Christmas-themed snacks.
The event also featured a sensory corner filled with musical instruments, lights, mirrors, wooden toys, and textured balls for all to enjoy.
The service would like to thank Scolmore Group, Winyates Health Centre, and BBC Inflatables Entertainment for their generous donations in making this event possible.
Orchard Service, provided by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, cares for children aged 0 – 18 who have complex, life-threatening, and limiting conditions.
They work closely with GPs, children’s hospital wards, paediatricians, health visitors and school health nurses to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital and promote early discharge.
Laura Phillimore, the Community Health Play Specialist for the service and the force behind the initiative, said, “There’s nothing better than seeing their faces light up with joy when they meet Santa.
We know that having a child with a long-term or life-limiting condition can make spending time as a family difficult. So, we hope that the event offers the chance for families to come together to enjoy the festivities in a relaxed environment, designed to support their needs.”
“I am truly grateful to everyone who helped us bring this initiative to life again this year.”