Stories By Your Side is a Polka Creative Learning Programme specifically designed for in-hospital delivery. Working across school rooms, wards and bedsides, sessions are full of Polka’s signature sensory storytelling style while remaining safe for hospitalised children, utilising a wide array of wipe-clean props and toys.
Sessions centre around the rainbow box of stories, a treasure trove of open–ended prompts and items to spark creativity. Every workshop is shaped by the child, empowering those with so little autonomy to decide how they want their session – and their story – to play out. This approach is designed to foster decision-making, play and oracy skills in all our participants.
Working in hospitals can be uniquely unpredictable, so these customisable sessions are ready to be delivered at the drop of a hat to children aged 3 to 13, including children with a wide array of access requirements and PMLD.
“When the team from Polka Theatre arrive for their session, the child isn’t a patient anymore, they are a storyteller. Polka staff create a warm, safe environment where a child gets to take charge, run wild with their imagination and build new worlds where they make the rules. They help to create moments of joy, laughter and engagement when a child needs it most.
Children, parents and staff have been incredibly positive about the sessions. Just last week a child had been incredibly tired but perked up at the idea of joining a theatre session. He ended up singing songs with actions and making his own story including a giant – he didn’t want the session to end!
We feel very fortunate that we can have sessions from Polka Theatre and hope they can continue – we would have them every week if we could. Or as one child said, no EVERY DAY.”
– Teacher, Chelsea Community Hospital Schools
Pricing
£360 for a half day
£480 for a full day
Funded and part-funded options are available
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