Wands at the ready! This October, children and young people from across Scotland were invited to step into the wizarding world for a truly magical SMS:HUB as we welcomed back our special friends from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
For one enchanting hour, our young witches, wizards and magical creatures explored behind-the-scenes secrets from the Harry Potter films, discovered incredible props and filmmaking magic, and enjoyed a spellbinding experience from the comfort of their own homes.
Thank you so much for this HUB. What an amazing opportunity. Both of my children have been talking about it non stop. And the trunk filled with things was outstanding. Honestly, a core moment for both of them.
This was the second year running that Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter partnered with Children’s Health Scotland to deliver this special Halloween HUB, and it was every bit as magical as we had hoped.
What a magical evening! Her health had really made her feel quite down, but this HUB cheered her right up. She’s always wanted to go and it just wouldn’t be possible for us. This brough the magic right to our home.
While the wizarding world is full of magic, one of the most important lessons throughout Harry Potter’s journey is the value of friendship, connection and support. Harry’s adventures show us that even when facing challenges, we don’t have to face them alone. Whether it’s Hermione sharing her knowledge, Ron offering friendship and loyalty, or the wider Hogwarts community coming together during difficult times, the story reminds us how important it is to have people around us who listen, encourage and help us grow.
I LOOVED seeing the Mandrake! It screams and looks like a really grumpy baby. Sometimes how I feel in the morning before School.
These themes connect closely with the self-management skills we explore through our SMS programmes. Children and young people living with health conditions often tell us how important it is to connect with others who understand their experiences. Through SMS:HUBs, young people can meet new friends, build confidence, develop communication skills and feel part of a supportive community.
He’d be stuck at home this time of year. Pain can be really bad for him. But to see such iconic sets. To laugh with the other children. Honestly thank you. And thanks to the studio tours. They’ve made a ten year olds year.
For many children and young people with health conditions, the Halloween season can bring additional challenges. Some may not be well enough to go out guising, while others may need to avoid busy environments or take extra precautions to manage their health. That’s why opportunities like this are so important. By bringing magical experiences directly into homes across Scotland, we can help ensure that every child has the chance to join in the fun, create special memories and experience the excitement of Halloween in a way that works for them.
The smiles, excitement and enthusiasm throughout the session showed just how much this experience meant to our young people. From discovering movie magic to sharing favourite Harry Potter moments, there was a real sense of connection as children from different communities came together to enjoy something special.
Rhianne Forrest, Officer for Children’s Health Scotland, said:
We are incredibly grateful to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter for partnering with us for the second year running. Our children and young people genuinely looked forward to this and loved having the opportunity to experience something extra magical during the Halloween season. For some of our young people, health conditions can make activities such as guising more difficult, so being able to bring a unique and exciting experience directly into their homes means so much. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for their time, generosity and continued support in helping create magical memories for children and young people across Scotland.
We would also like to thank The National Lottery Community Fairer Life Chances Fund, The Agnes Hunter Trust and the Hugh Fraser Foundation for supporting our health and wellbeing services. Their funding enables us to continue creating opportunities for children and young people with health conditions to connect, learn, develop self-management skills and, most importantly, have fun.
After all, every young witch and wizard deserves a little magic. ⚡✨
Find Out More
Want to find out more about our SMS:HUBs and Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes for children and young people with health conditions across Scotland?
We’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our activities, upcoming opportunities and how to get involved, please contact the team at sms@childrenshealthscotland.org.
THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
