Lucy Sophocleous

“I’ve been at Great Ormond Street Hospital for six years.

“I provide general play to help children take their minds off being in hospital. We create a child-friendly environment so it can feel like a home from home. We have group sessions of story reading, music and cooking for children across the cancer wards.

“Some children are in isolation because of risk of infection so I’ll see them in their rooms. If they are well enough, we might cook with them or otherwise do painting or play board games. When children become very unwell, my work is in supporting the families too.

“Having to deal with your emotions when children become very poorly while remaining professional is the biggest challenge. I imagine if it was me, I wouldn’t want to do anything, but children are amazing. They still want to play.”

Lucy Sophocleous