For many children and young people living with long-term health conditions, hospitals can be a regular part of life. Whether it’s attending appointments, having tests, meeting new healthcare professionals, or staying overnight, these experiences can sometimes feel exciting, confusing, overwhelming, or even a little bit scary.
As part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, Rory is sharing a very special Story With Rory reading of The Hospital Hoppities by Charlotte Hartley-Jones and illustrated by Anjalee Burrows.
That’s what makes The Hospital Hoppities such a wonderful story to share during Scottish Children’s Health Week.
Meeting the Hospital Hoppities
The story introduces us to the Hospital Hoppities, playful and caring creatures who live in the hospital and help children navigate their healthcare journey. Through gentle humour, imagination, and colourful characters, the book explores what happens during a hospital visit and helps children understand that they are not alone in their feelings. The Hoppities are there to offer comfort, encouragement, and reassurance, reminding children that it is okay to ask questions, feel nervous, and seek support from the people around them. By transforming the hospital into a place filled with friendly helpers and adventure, the story helps children view healthcare settings in a way that feels less intimidating and more manageable.
Play Helps Us Make Sense of Big Feelings
At Children’s Health Scotland, we know that play is so much more than having fun. Play helps children learn, express themselves, build confidence, and make sense of experiences that can sometimes feel challenging.
For children with health conditions, play can be especially important. Through stories, imagination, and creative activities, children can explore their worries, ask questions, and develop coping skills in a safe and supportive way.
The Hospital Hoppities uses storytelling and imagination to help children understand hospital experiences while encouraging conversations about feelings, fears, and hopes.
Stories like this remind us that children’s emotional wellbeing matters just as much as their physical health.
My Health, My Rights
This year’s Scottish Children’s Health Week shines a spotlight on the voices, experiences, and rights of children and young people with health conditions.
The themes explored in The Hospital Hoppities connect closely with the principles of our My Health, My Rights Charter, which was created by children and young people to help ensure their voices are heard.
Children have the right to:
- Be listened to.
- Receive information in a way they can understand.
- Feel safe when accessing healthcare.
- Be involved in decisions about their health.
- Have support when they feel worried or scared.
- Experience play, fun, and opportunities to be themselves, even when they are unwell.
When healthcare professionals, families, and communities create welcoming, child-friendly environments, children are better able to participate in their care and feel more confident about their health journey.
Watch Story With Rory
We are delighted that Rory is bringing The Hospital Hoppities to life during Scottish Children’s Health Week.
Whether your child loves stories, is preparing for a hospital visit, or has experience of accessing healthcare services, we hope this Story With Rory session provides comfort, reassurance, and a few smiles along the way.
Most importantly, we hope it helps children remember that their feelings matter, their voices matter, and their rights matter.
Because every child deserves healthcare that is not only effective, but kind, compassionate, and centred around their needs.
