Mum praises Glasgow hospital staff for 'important' tree

Melissa Parry's four-year-old daughter Heidi has been receiving treatment for leukaemia at the Glasgow Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) since April last year.

To help Heidi and other youngsters going through such a difficult time, the hospital's Play Team created Branches of Brave, a tree that allows children and their families to add their handprints or anything that is special to them, as leaves.

Heidi (Image: NHS)

Melissa has thanked the Play Team for coming up with such an important method of helping little ones cope while they are in hospital. 

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She said: “The Branches of Brave tree is so important, we have made loads of friends here at the hospital and we see them represented on the tree.

"Heidi had to be taken out of nursery when she was diagnosed and due to restrictions was isolated for months.

"The day they started the Branches of Brave she was one of the first back in the play room, it was them all there again when it reopened being able to mingle and make pals.

“The staff, nurses and doctors are absolutely fantastic, I can’t speak highly enough of the RHC staff, they have been amazing with us."

While the Play Team is understandably associated with making sure children can have some fun while having treatment, it also educates children about their illness in a way they can understand and provides support for families. 

Melissa added: “The Play Team too, we couldn’t do without the Play Team at all, when we were first diagnosed they made sure to explain to Heidi what would be happening with her treatment.

"They used a toy duck to explain it, which came with medical supplies. She was able to learn about what was happening through play and now nothing gets passed her! 

“The Play Team can’t do enough for us, if Heidi is struggling with something they are a great help for her, if we’re staying in the hospital they are a god send for us too.

"They are always there for a chat and offer to sit with us and give us a bit of a breather from things. We have built so many relationships with the staff members here.”

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Branches of Brave was conjured up by Emma McWilliam, a health play assistant in the RHC’s paediatric intensive care unit.

She said: “Since it started, we have seen the tree flourish.

"Some children use their handprints, others use leaves or something else that’s important to them.

"We have adapted the activity to meet the needs of each individual child. 

"Our Branches of Brave tree will hopefully demonstrate to other children that it’s okay to be scared and share our feelings.

“We wanted to make something that was for everyone and that was special for the children."

Emma McWilliam (Image: NHS)

Emma hopes that the tree conveys a special message about family, unity and going through a difficult time together with plenty of support. 

She added: "The thinking behind this was that all the children and families could be part of it.

"We have had really good feedback from the families who have been involved and have even included parents’ hands up there too. 

“This shows the children that they are not alone in their journey and that this growing tree shows all of the brave children who have been here.

"I think it makes them calmer. I love my job, it’s so rewarding. You’re working as part of a big team with a range of different skills, I have such a passion for being able to be part of the journey families go through.

"It’s such a privilege to be able to take part in activities like this with the children and their families.”