Leeds Children's Hospital

04/09/2026

‘Own Your Future’ event supports young people following cancer treatment.

Working with Candlelighters charity, our Oncology Long Term Follow Up Service recently hosted their first ‘Own Your Future’ education event to support young people to feel empowered and prepared for life beyond cancer.

The Long Term Follow Up team see children and young people who are five years post-treatment and preparing for transition to adult services. Common late effects of childhood cancer include hormone issues, mental health, vision, fitness and fertility.

The event for patients aged 13-15 brought together clinicians from Leeds Children’s Hospital, local health-care partners and charities who can offer advice and support on topics including careers, mental health, sexual health and lots more. There were stalls, talks, interactive sessions and opportunities to socialise in a supportive environment.

11 families attended this first event at The Rose Bowl at Leeds Beckett University. Continuing to work with Candlelighters, the team hope to make this an annual event.

14-year-old Florence attended with her parents Rose and Julien. Rose said:

‘Events like this are really helpful for young people and parents who want to support their children to start to take responsibility for their medical care as they move towards adulthood.’

Thank you to Candlelighters charity for funding and helping to organise this event. We also want to say a big thank you to: Leeds Rhinos Foundation, EMCTrust, Cyclists Fighting Cancer, Leeds Sexual Health, Wellwaveleeds, Leeds City Council, Young Lives vs Cancer and Leeds Beckett University for their support and involvement.

03/09/2026

Dr Mike is taking on the Great North Run 🏃🏽‍♂️

Leeds Children’s Hospital’s Dr Micheal Taylor (Paediatric Consultant Neurologist) is preparing to run the Great North Run in September and he’s raising funds for Epilepsy Action.

Dr Mike said:

‘I’m proud to be supporting Epilepsy Action by fundraising and running the Great North Run because their work goes far beyond raising awareness. They provide vital information, practical support and a voice for people and families who can sometimes feel very alone’

We wish Dr Mike good weather and good luck! If you’d like to show your support you can find Dr Mike’s fundraising page in the comments.

02/09/2026

Could you get help to buy healthy food and milk?

The NHS Healthy Start scheme provides

🤰🏻£4.65 per week during pregnancy and for children aged 1-4
👶 £9.30 per week for children under 1year old
🥛 A prepaid card to help buy healthy food and milk
💊 Free Healthy Start vitamins

The card is topped up every 4 weeks. Find out if you qualify online – www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Please share and help local families access support 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

01/09/2026

The summer holidays might only just be over but it's never too early to start planning for October half term and Halloween... 🎃

This year sees the return of the Leeds Hospitals Charity Halloween Toddle for under 5s, raising vital funds for Leeds Children's Hospital.

Register your little monsters now for a spooktacular day out. It's only £5 for little ones and grown-ups are free! 👻

31/08/2026

Heading to the Leeds West Indian Carnival this weekend?

Have fun, stay safe, drink responsibly and look out for one and other.

www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SafeSummer

28/08/2026

Driving to Leeds Festival?

Remember drink or drug driving can have devastating consequences. You can still be over the limit the next day.

www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SafeSummer

27/08/2026

Youth Team Summer Fayre brightens up a wet Thursday 🌦

Hospital Youth Workers and young people who have received support from the service have had a busy day running their annual Summer Fayre, supported by Leeds Hospitals Charity. Today's stormy showers moved the event inside but the rain didn't stop the fun!

Patients, staff and visitors enjoyed tombolas, a book stall, games and competitions, with lunch for the team kindly laid on by Chick-fil-A Commercial Street Leeds who also donated restaurant vouchers for families spending time in hospital.

The team successfully raised more than £500 to support youth work activities across our hospitals. Leeds Hospital Youth Workers aim to raise £20,000 over two years to support activities that will help young people manage their health conditions as they transition to adult services.

You can contribute to the team's fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/youthservice

Thank you to all our amazing hospital Youth Workers and young people for brightening up the day!

27/08/2026

Heading to Leeds Festival?

Have a great time, stay safe, and look out for your friends and those around you.

www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SafeSummer

26/08/2026

⚽ This is what happened when patient Umar wrote to Leeds United with some tactical advice… and they wrote back!

13-year-old patient and LUFC super-fan Umar undergoes dialysis at Leeds Children’s Hospital three times a week, for up to four hours at a time.

Having met some of his favourite Leeds United players when they visited the hospital at Christmas, Umar decided to get in touch to offer the squad the benefit of his advice.

This morning, Play Specialist Libby delivered a hand-written reply to Umar during his treatment session on the Dialysis Unit.

We’re pleased to see that Umar’s advice has been working wonders with two wins this week!

Well done Umar and thank you to everyone at LUFC! ⚽

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds Children's Hospital

24/08/2026

Thank you Jackson and Alex for sharing your experience of play in hospital!

"Play lets you move past some of the frightening parts of being in hospital and start living with your child again. You can have moments of enjoyment and a bit of normal family life, even while you're there." – Alex, dad to Jackson

When 11-year-old Jackson was admitted to Leeds Children's Hospital with appendicitis and needed surgery to remove his appendix, it was an anxious time for both him and his family.

Like many children facing an operation, Jackson felt worried about what was ahead.

"I was worried about having surgery, especially because everything took longer than I expected."

But through the support of hospital play, Jackson was able to focus on something other than his fears.

"Play took my mind off things."

During his recovery, play continued to make a difference.

"Because of play, I always had something to do when I was bored."

For Jackson's dad, Alex, play transformed their hospital experience too. What began as worry and uncertainty became an opportunity to spend meaningful time together and create moments of normal family life.

"Because of play, as a parent, you can move past some of the worrying things and start to enjoy time with your child. You can have a bit of life inside the hospital."

Because of Play, children like Jackson can feel less frightened, less isolated and more like themselves during a hospital stay. And because of play, parents can focus on making memories with their child, not just managing their worries.

Support our Play Team through the link: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/leeds-childrens-hospital