Devon schools bring ReadWell's power of stories to Bramble Ward

Owl Men, tame dragons and the Gruffalo are just some of the characters that young patients in Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are getting to know better as part of a new scheme bringing the power of books and storytelling to seriously ill children.

The RD&E successfully applied to the charity ReadWell, which uses money raised by local school children to fund a regular supply of brand new books and professional storytellers into the hospital. Schools around Devon who have supported the charity by running sponsored Readathons include Wystream Primary and West Exe School.

ReadWell’s distinctive orange bookcase, custom-made to move right up to a child’s bedside and stocked with a mix of old favourites and future classics for children of all ages, has just arrived at RD&E. To celebrate its arrival, young patients on Bramble Ward were entertained at a launch event by local children’s authors and illustrators, Heidi and Daniel Howarth. The couple are responsible for titles such as 'How to catch a falling star', ‘The littlest lighthouse keeper’ and ‘The otter who loved to hold hands’.

ReadWell and Readathon Chief Exec, Justine Daniels said: “Books are really important when you’re a child stuck in hospital. Your world is getting smaller and smaller, you might be bored and scared and in physical pain. Imagination – stories – are a ticket out of there. They can entertain, distract and take you anywhere in the world. But how can hospitals get the very best, latest and loveliest books to children when budgets are already stretched? That’s where ReadWell comes in.”

The RD&E is the 26th hospital to successfully apply to Readathon after the charity identified a gap in the provision of reading books for pleasure in children’s hospitals.

Julia Allen, Headteacher of the Devon Hospitals Short Stay School at the RD&E, which is run by Devon County Council, said: “For our children, a little distraction goes a long way. They miss out on so many things when they’re in hospital but now, thanks to Readathon, access to good books isn’t one of them. The Readathon storytellers also really brightens a child’s day. Knowing that it’s thanks to local school children reading more is especially lovely.”