Cards that help a child stay with a feeling — not just away from it

Smile Optimistic Studio CIC presented a poster at the Society of Health Play Specialists' 3rd Annual Conference, held at UCLH in London under the theme “Children at the Heart of Healthcare”.

The poster introduced the creative methodology behind the Hospital Joy Toolkit: a resource shaped by six years of family experience during long-term childhood cancer treatment, with a focus on emotional expression, connection and a child’s freedom to choose.

It was built around a single card from the first set, L — Lonely, to show the structure every card shares: what to say, what to do together, what this does, a softer option for when it feels like too much, and one line to remember.

Open to collaboration

The poster named three areas where the studio’s lived experience meets a gap in research and resources:

• Life in remission. Most studies look at active treatment; far fewer at what comes after.
• The resource gap. Ready-made play resources are scarce while Health Play Specialists are stretched thin.
• Being with a feeling, not only distracting from it. Few tools help a child stay with a long, hard feeling.

Professional contributions

Health Play Specialists have contributed professional knowledge and experience that informed the development of the cards. Their contribution is acknowledged in the Toolkit’s Practice & Training Guide.