Cricket charity Chance to Shine is taking the game to children facing long-term illness, with free weekly coaching sessions in three hospitals, delivered at the bedside where needed.
Funded by the Matchroom Charitable Foundation, the programme runs two-hour cricket sessions every week for 38 weeks of the year, in line with the academic year. Fully qualified coaches deliver it to young people being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Lavender Walk Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
The charity says the aim is to give children an opportunity to connect with others and have some fun during the most challenging period of their lives, as part of its mission to give all young people the chance to play, learn and develop through cricket.
Every session is adapted to each young person's ability, needs and energy levels, so children who are bed-bound or use a wheelchair can still take part. Coaches use softer or larger balls, shorter distances, sticks and other equipment to make striking and movement easier. Around the bed, a ward can become a crocodile-infested river, or a game of volleyball can be played over the curtain rails to build the hand-eye coordination cricket needs.
Children are encouraged to add their own ideas so sessions fit their interests. Zara, a Chance to Shine hospital schools coach, remembers a young person at GOSH who used to play competitive basketball but had not played since her long stay in hospital.
"We adapted an activity so she could participate from her bedside and enjoy basketball again," Zara said. "It was the first time she had played in almost a year and loved having the opportunity to demonstrate her skills."
Coaches say the sessions give children a focus to their day. "Almost all the children are smiling and asking for another session by the end," Zara said. When a child does not feel well enough for physical activity, coaches spend time talking or play a quieter game instead.
"Even a simple, positive interaction can make a real difference, and parents regularly tell us how much they appreciate seeing their child engaged and smiling," she added.
For the sport for good sector, the programme shows how adapted coaching can reach children whose illness keeps them in hospital for long periods, bringing activity, play and connection to them during treatment.
Source: Chance to Shine https://chancetoshine.org/case-studies/chance-to-shine-helps-children-facing-long-term-illness-to-be-active-through-cricket/