27 October 2025
From tears to laughter: Scarlet's hospital journey
When 14-year-old Scarlet was staying in The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust she met Dr Scribble and Dr Nic Nac for the first time. Her mum, Diane, shared:
“Scarlet had been in hospital for three days and it had been a really emotional time. Just 20 minutes before the Giggle Doctors came to see us, we were both in tears and Scarlet was really fed up. I cannot explain how much the Giggle Doctors visit made a difference, we went from sadness to laughter in the space of half an hour! They were amazing with Scarlet and instantly got her sense of humour – they knew exactly what to do to make her smile. I cannot thank them enough for making my daughter smile during a tough time.”
The children we support often have to travel between their local hospital and larger specialist children’s hospitals for ongoing treatment. Families have shared how comforting it is to see the Giggle Doctors in another hospital and how much it means to spot a familiar face in a medical setting. The recognisable, joyful presence of the Giggle Doctors brings a moment of respite and is a reminder that laughter and play is always close by.
A few weeks later, Scarlet was at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and was about to go into theatre for a procedure. Not only did she spot the Giggle Doctors, but it was the familiar face of Dr Nic Nac!
Children like Scarlet face a barrage of scary new experiences in an unfamiliar place – all while dealing with feeling really poorly. Seeing a Giggle Doctor offers a moment of respite and the chance to connect with someone who sees them just as a child. Giggle Doctors often meet children in the Emergency Department as they begin their healthcare journey. Being transferred to a large specialist children’s hospital can be overwhelming and seeing a familiar, friendly face again can have a powerful impact on a child and their family, helping to normalise the environment and support their mental wellbeing
Children in hospital are at high risk of experiencing trauma – access to play can contribute to preventing traumatic experiences, or help process and move past them after they’ve occurred.*
Through the power of play, Giggle Doctors form meaningful bonds with children and young people, bringing comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy during some of their most challenging moments. For children like Scarlet, they help turn sadness into laughter, easing the stress of hospital stays when it’s needed most.
*Read more about causes of trauma from children’s healthcare in Starlight’s Play in Healthcare Week Report(2025)
Trainee Giggle Doctor Recruitment