World Book Day, which is aimed at helping children develop a lifelong love of books, was a wonderful success for Lincolnshire’s hospitals, sparking conversation, lots of giggles and treasured moments between the young readers and patients.
Children from Tower Road Academy, Boston arrived dressed as their favourite book characters and spent time chatting with patients at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, sharing stories about the books they love most.
Earlier in the week pupils from Our Lady of Lincoln, Catholic Primary School visited Lincoln County Hospital, bringing a selection of their favourite books and read to elderly patients. Teacher Janis Edward said: “The visit has helped our students build empathy and care towards the elderly. It is beautiful to see the smiles they have brought to the faces of the patients.”
Jodie-Leigh Page, Ward Manager at Lancaster Ward, Lincoln County Hospital, added: “It has brought a sense of familiarisation to our patients on the ward. Many do not have contact with their grandchildren as often as they would like so they really appreciated this visit and would love the children to visit again.”
Eight students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Grantham spent an enjoyable two hours reading to patients on Harrowby Ward at Grantham and District Hospital. The visit certainly brightened the day for Teresa Howe from Barrowby, near Grantham, who is currently receiving treatment for a chest infection.
She said: “I started reading at an early age and have always loved it. It was so good to see how much the children were enjoying reading today.” And Aria, who read to Teresa commented further: “It might be a little thing we have done but we have made the patients’ lives a bit better today.”
Charity Manager, Ben Petts, said: “World Book Day is a celebration of reading, not just to ourselves but to all ages. It is about inspiring children and adults to enjoy reading for fun and to promote literacy. Inviting students into our hospitals helps build interaction between the generations and brightens the day for our patients.”
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity hopes to continue building relationships between the county’s schools and Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group and is already planning to invite local school choirs to sing in the hospitals over the summer.
More information on the charity’s work can be found on its website.