The Chickenshed performers and our play specialistsLast week we were delighted to welcome Chickenshed theatre company to Galaxy children’s ward at Barnet Hospital to perform their vibrant and interactive show for young children, Tales from the Shed.

The performance took place in the ward’s playroom to an audience of children and parents, who were thrilled to see Funky Monkey, Lion Down, and The Thing That Goes Blurgh perform!

Royal Free Charity community fundraiser Carla Bispham, who arranged the visit, said: "The Tales performance was educational, fun, exciting and interactive and all of the children, parents and staff thoroughly enjoyed it. For children that have been on the ward for a long period of time it really makes a change to their day and becomes something they are able to talk about and tell their family and friends."

Community development manager for Chickenshed Madeline Cross said: “Tales from the Shed is a fun and interactive show created by Chickenshed to engage and inspire young children. At Chickenshed we believe in the power of the performing arts and we perform Tales from the Shed in the community for children who for whatever reason can’t come to our theatre in Southgate. We jumped at the chance to perform for the Galaxy ward. Hopefully we helped to show the children that visiting hospital doesn’t have to be a scary experience, although the staff on the ward were doing a very good job of that already!”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contacts: rf.mediaenquiries@nhs.net or call 020 7472 6665

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.