Radio Lollipop facts for kids
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| Type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Registration No. | England and Wales: 280817 Scotland: SC039505 |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Charlotte Building, 17 Gresse Street, London, W1T 1QL |
| Area served | Australia New Zealand United Kingdom United States South Africa |
| Method | Radio programming and play interaction at the bedside and in the playrooms |
| Website | https://radiolollipop.org |
Radio Lollipop is a special charity that helps children feel better when they are in the hospital. It brings fun, comfort, and entertainment to kids who are sick. Volunteers, called "Playmakers," spend time with children right in their hospital rooms or in special play areas. They also run radio stations inside hospitals, playing music and shows just for kids. Sometimes, the children themselves even get to be presenters on the radio!
Contents
History of Radio Lollipop
How Radio Lollipop Started
Radio Lollipop began in 1978. It started at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Surrey, England. At first, it was a radio station just for the 460 children in that hospital. The very first broadcast happened on May 5, 1979.
Because the first station was so successful, more money was given in 1980. This helped Radio Lollipop grow to other hospitals in the United Kingdom.
From Radio to Playtime
Over time, Radio Lollipop changed. It became more than just a radio station. Volunteers started spending more time directly with children in the hospital wards. They would play games, do arts and crafts, and read stories.
Even though volunteers now spend more time playing in person, the radio part is still very important. Children can still listen to fun programs and even present on air. The shows include chats with children, song requests, jokes, and competitions.
How the Radio Works
In most hospitals, the radio programs are sent to speakers in the wards. They are not broadcast over the airwaves like regular radio. A main studio, with presenters, is the central hub. Children can visit this studio. There is also a plan to share programs from hospitals in different time zones using the internet.
Radio Lollipop is run completely by volunteers. These volunteers come from many different backgrounds. They often work in the evenings.
Growing Around the World
In 1985, Radio Lollipop opened its first station outside the UK. This was at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, Australia. Since then, the organization has grown a lot. It now helps children in hospitals across Australia, New Zealand, America, and South Africa.
One of the biggest children's hospitals in the world is Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Radio Lollipop helps children there by providing play services. This hospital has 390 beds across 21 wards. At one point, Radio Lollipop even broadcast from a former Jubilee line tube train! This train was lifted into the hospital and turned into the Radio Lollipop studio.
Where Radio Lollipop Helps
Australia
- Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia
- St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia
- St John of God Midland Hospital, Midland, Western Australia
- Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia
- Armadale Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital, Armadale, Western Australia
- Rockingham, Western Australia
- Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
- Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland
- Logan Hospital, Meadowbrook, Queensland
- Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland
- Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria
New Zealand
- Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland
- Kidz First, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland
- Waitakere Hospital, Auckland
- Manukau SuperClinic, Auckland
- Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch
- Whangarei Base Hospital, Whangārei
United Kingdom
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
- Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow
- Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham
- Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton
- Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
- Evelina Children's Hospital, London
United States
- Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York
- Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital | Memorial Hermann, Houston
- Holtz Children's Hospital, Florida
South Africa
- Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, Johannesburg
