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#BristolCharityAdvent day 6: Radio Lollipop
Radio Lollipop is an international charity that was founded in 1979 and has been based at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children since 1984. With the radio station at its heart, the charity aims to offer patients, siblings and families a safe space where they can heal through fun and play.
Radio Lollipop volunteers getting into the spirit of fun
The Radio Lollipop volunteers complete special training and are experienced in making the stay in hospital as positive as possible for children. They organise craft and game activities, which take place in the hospital playroom and on ward visits during sessions on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
The team also broadcast live radio shows from their purpose-built studio.
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Inside the Radio Lollipop studio
In a hospital environment that can be scary and uncertain for children, and where they have little control over what is happening to them, Radio Lollipop offers a haven of normality. The children can go into the studio, get involved with the radio shows, request their favourite songs and learn how to become a DJ.
In addition to this, the Radio Lollipop Academy teaches children all kinds of skills related to producing radio. They can learn how to use the equipment, plan and compile their own shows, and are appointed Honorary Radio Lollipop DJs when their training is complete.
Radio Lollipop volunteers with the superhero characters one patient made for them
Madeline Ismach, Head of Psychosocial Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital, has said of the charity; “Radio Lollipop is not a frilly add-on. It is really helpful clinically – a calm child recovers better. Every member of staff and parent and child think it is fantastic.”
Apart from providing poorly children with an escape from their illnesses, Radio Lollipop also has the ability to impact the recovery of these children in a positive way. The skill and dedication of their volunteers means that, for the children, hospital can be more than bearable: it can be enjoyable.
A young patient enjoys craft activities in hospital
Radio Lollipop are a non-profit organisation and registered charity reliant upon the support and generosity of the public. They need to raise funds which will allow them to restock their craft supplies and games and enable much needed maintenance of the radio station to be carried out. It goes without saying that this will help them continue providing their unique service to the children.
If you would like to donate to Radio Lollipop, or find more information, visit their website at www.radiolollipop.org.
Read more: #BristolCharityAdvent Day 5: WheelyGoodBooks
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