Can you help us to bring the joy of play to more children this Christmas and beyond?
Play is something that every child should get to experience throughout childhood. But for some children with disabilities, it just isn’t that easy.
The specialist sensory toys in our Play Therapy Pods are vital in helping those children to be able to interact, develop, learn and thrive, and to experience the simple joy that play brings.
Every child deserves the chance to play – your gift will make that possible.
The power of play:
Play is crucial for every child’s learning, development and wellbeing. The right toys can help children express themselves and turn barriers into opportunities.
Our specialist sensory toys can help children with disabilities to play in ways they haven’t been able to play before, and even play with siblings for the first time.
With so many children waiting for the opportunity to discover play, it’s so important that Newlife is able to support families when they need it most.
Your generosity can bring joy, confidence and creativity to children with disabilities.
Simret Ghuman, Newlife’s Play Lead, says:
“Play is how children learn about the world around them, develop new skills and find enjoyment, but children with disabilities may need specialist accessible toys to help this happen.
“Our toys can create the most magical moments between parent and child or between siblings and help families really learn more about what their child’s needs are. Each of the Play Therapy Pod boxes are filled with carefully chosen toys to encourage learning as well as improve relaxation, give enjoyment and help to distract from pain.”
Pip the Penguin is inspired by one of the real sensory toys in our Play Therapy Pods. These carefully chosen toys help children with disabilities explore, relax and discover new ways to play. Find out more about how they’re changing lives in the video below:
Penelope’s story:
Two-year-old Penelope benefitted from the loan of specialist toys after she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital just before Christmas last year while she waited for a new heart to become available for transplant.
The last thing her parents, Jordan and Hollie, needed to worry during their months in hospital about was how to keep Penelope occupied during the long days and nights on the ward, but thanks to Newlife it meant they didn’t need to – they applied to Newlife’s Play Therapy Pod service, and a box of specialist sensory toys was swiftly delivered to the hospital.
Penelope’s dad Jordan said:
“Being able to have the box of specialist toys on loan from Newlife while we were in hospital was great. It was full of things we hadn’t even thought about, interactive toys that could keep Penelope entertained and help her development as well as distract her when she was having medical procedures.
“They helped to support her vital sensory stimulation during the long hospital stay as well as helping her cognitive, emotional and physical development. Being able to use toys to play with Penelope also helped to create a sense of normality for us all too.”
Donate today and help to bring joy to children with disabilities
What your gift can do:
Each of our Play Therapy Pods are filled with specialist sensory toys carefully chosen to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
-
- £15 could buy an Infinity Mirror, a calming and engaging toy for visual sensory stimulation.
-
- £50 could buy a Gelly Fish Play Pad to improve a child’s hand-eye coordination, finger strength and dexterity, while also reducing anxiety.
-
- £100 could buy a Spectrum Tumbler, which helps with sensory stimulation and fine motor skills development.
Thousands of children benefit from our Play Therapy Pods already and thousands more can with your support.
Join us for the Big Give 2025!
During Big Give week from December 2nd to 9th you can double the difference you make, thanks to the generous pot of match funding from our corporate donors TFH and Big Give Champions the Reed Foundation.
Every pound donated during Big Give week will be matched, up to a total of £6,000 – meaning your support this week in particular will make even more of a difference to the lives of children with disabilities across the UK.
Fundraising Ideas
Whether it’s a bake sale, raffle or a Santa skydive, you can gather family friends and colleagues and make a big difference to families this Christmas and beyond. Check out our festive fundraising ideas!
