What helps you relax?  
What activities do you enjoy the most?  
What helps you play?

These were three questions Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Artist Educators and SCHF Volunteers asked patients, siblings and visitors across both Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick and The Children's Hospital at Westmead in celebration of National Children’s Week 2024. 

Children engaging with the Art Program were asked to create a collage that answered the questions above. The collages showed off the diverse creativity of kids in hospital, both in the resources at their disposal and what inspires them to play. With over 17 entries shortlisted in the competition, some of the collages featured LEGO dinosaurs, Nintendo switches, sunsets and cockatoos. The collages submitted to the Art Program Educators were enrolled in a competition where three winners across three age groups took the top prizes.  

Congratulations to our prize winners and runners-up!  

0-5 years: 
Natasa — winner
Tobias — runner up

7 –11 years: 
Tom — winner
Albert — runner up

12 - 18 years: 
Kara — winner
Rorie — runner up

National Children's Week raises community awareness of the needs, rights and achievements of children and youth through promotion of National Children's Week, held in the 4th week of October every year. This year's theme comes from the UNCRC Article 31 “Children have the right to relax, play, and take part in creative activities.” 

Taking this as a source of inspiration, the Art Program celebrated National Children’s Week by hosting a competition across Sydney Children's Hospitals Network's two major hospitals. The Art Program is an art in health service that facilitates art encounters and learning exchange for children, young people and their families, and clinicians, with varying needs and experiences.  The program provides patients, families and their support communities comfort and wonderment that transports them to places they didn’t think they could go within a hospital – reimaging what it means to experience a health care journey.

See below for more of the fantastic collages NSW children submitted to the Art Program for consideration.

Support the Art Program to continue delivering services that help shape and provide support to kids in hospital, donate to Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation or visit schf.org.au.