Little Smiles donates to Rainbow Ward

Local charity Little Smiles has donated an array of sensory lights and books to the Rainbow Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital.

Little Smiles is a charity that has been set up by parents and carers of children attending St Martin’s school, and raises money for the future benefit of the children. 

Nicole Stewart, chairperson of Little Smiles, said the donation will help comfort the children staying at the Rainbow Ward.

“Many of the children that attend St Martin’s and Early Birds Nursery due to their special needs and disabilities often visit the Rainbow Ward for medical reasons, and we wanted to help support the GHA in supporting our students with equipment that we feel will be very useful for these children to have more of an enjoyable stay in the light of maybe not the best situation,” Ms Stewart said.

She added that the sensory lights can help the children in numerous ways.

“Sensory lights are something that are very versatile, very useful and can help these individuals a lot, not only with their recovery but it can help with many different things.”

“It can help with behaviour, it can help with mood, it can help with many things.” 

“It’s a case of comfort and support. Sensory stimulation for these children is paramount.”

The charity felt that the donation would go a long way in helping all of the children at the Rainbow Ward.

“We thought it was a little incentive that could go a long way and that would benefit not only children with disabilities, but any child staying here,” Ms Stewart said.

Ms Stewart added that giving back to children and helping them in any environment which may pose a challenge to them is paramount. 

“I think giving back to these children is vital, the main foundation of Little Smiles Charity is to support these children. If we can support them in the education environment but also outside, we will do so.”

“We understand that they can face difficult situations not only in the education environment but in many other environments that life may present to them., if we can help them in any way we can, we will, that’s what we are here for.”

Work is not over for the charity, who plan to continue giving back to the children.

“There are lots of new projects in the pipeline, there are lots more plans to come,” Ms Stewart said.