Whilst the general awareness of mental illness and mental ill-health is thankfully getting better, we find that this does not always include the experiences of children and young people in psychiatric hospitals. We still hear from many who were unaware that children or young people might experience mental ill-health, or that it might be serious enough to require a hospital admission. This means that, in contrast with physical health hospitals, children and young people staying in psychiatric hospitals are still often forgotten about. ​

Even where child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals are discussed, the picture we see in the media and press can be stigmatising, sensationalist or inaccurate. The stories of what it’s really like to be in hospital are still not being told as often or as accurately as we would like. ​

The collective focus on kindness, the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, is also more important than ever. ​

Secondly, what’s your favourite thing about Deck the Wards?

Katie: I’m particularly proud that Deck the Wards was founded from a place of ‘lived experience’. Two of the trustees have spent time in adolescent inpatient care and these experiences have been a real driving force behind everything we’ve done and continue to inform our path. One thing we make sure of is that we contact and work with every ward to make sure the young people are integral in putting together the lists for us. This makes sure that we are giving them what they actually want and need, rather than what we think they want and need.

Jaz: It’s definitely knowing that the things we donate will brighten up the wards for years to come! 

The things the wards ask for are generally items like games, DVDs and musical instruments. They’re things that children and young people can enjoy together during their time in hospital, but that last for years. For me that’s really important.

Hermione: I like how DTW works in partnership with the wards to put together the boxes. At DTW HQ we always get very excited after receiving the wish lists from each ward. They are always so different from each other, highlighting just how important co-production is. When we get to hear how things in the boxes are being used and the difference it makes to the young people on the wards, it spurs us on to keep going and to make the next holiday even better than the last.​

​Armed with Jaz and Katie’s amazingly organised shopping plan, and having rounded up a merry band of volunteers to help carry goodies, we prepared ourselves for the mayhem of Oxford Street 2 weeks before Christmas! This was a momentous occasion; our first shopping trip for the charity.

​​A couple of years ago I found myself up to my eyeballs in chocolate selection boxes, mince pies and brand new toys and games. I was opening up the latest generous delivery to my work – a place for families and loved ones of Children and Young People with cancer to stay while their loved one received treatment. It was a really special and touching moment and it had a real impact on the families staying with us.