Bags help bust boredom
During lockdown children who are in hospital in Taranaki have been kept entertained by boredom buster bags.
Taranaki Base Hospital is not allowing any toys that require washing to be reused on the ward, as this is not recommended at the current time, children’s ward clinical nurse manager, Jessica Beattie said.
So, the kids are being given boredom bags, donated by charity Gabby’s Starlit Hope.
The contents of the bags are safe, because the toys and activities inside are brand new. And the kids are allowed to take the bag home with them, because these are not reused again by any other patient, Beattie said.
‘‘These are a great way to keep children occupied as the hospital can be a very overwhelming environment and, amazingly, small items from a bag can actually provide the perfect distraction when a child needs to have an intervention or procedure done.’’
The children’s ward at the New Plymouth hospital has remained busy over the past few weeks and is going through at least 10 boredom bags per week, she said.
Gabby’s Starlit Hope also ordered $650 worth of hot cross buns and Easter eggs, and Beattie said the Taranaki District Health Board was grateful for the treats.
‘‘The staff particularly enjoyed the hot cross buns whilst they worked across Easter weekend, and the chocolate eggs lasted until Tuesday and were shared with patients and wha¯nau in the Emergency Department and Neonatal Unit.’’
Gabby’s Starlit Hope was started by Gabby Devine who died in 2015 of bone cancer, aged 13.
She began the charity to give presents and bring cheer to children in the oncology wards at Starship and Taranaki Base Hospital.
A 2018 grant from the TSB Community Trust for $31,500, meant they could donate 2331 boredom bags to the hospital so every sick child could have one, Gabby’s mum Sarah Devine said.
‘‘The bags are full of craft activities and toys to keep them amused. They have been an absolute hit and are a valuable resources for staff.’’