Frimley Health has become the first trust in the country to launch the new Taskmaster Hospital Club, a playful new NHS project designed to help children during their stay in hospital.

Created in partnership with Taskmaster Education, Avalon and NHS England, the Hospital Club brings the concept of the award-winning Channel 4 TV show to paediatric wards, where children can take part in fun, creative challenges either from their beds, cubicle or the hospital’s playroom.

Alex Horne, the Taskmaster’s creator, joined staff, patients and some young volunteers at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey last month to launch the project and chat to families and staff during the first ever Taskmaster Hospital Club challenge.

The day began with a pre-recorded video presented by Alex introducing the new project and around a dozen children aged 9-16 taking part in various tasks, from making up the best jokes to drawing pictures without lifting the pencil off the paper. The participants were awarded points for their efforts and the overall winner presented with a specially-designed Taskmaster certificate. 

Alex Horne, creator and host of Taskmaster said:

"I wasn't entirely sure that kids in hospital would want to complete ridiculous tasks set by me, but having seen the programme in action, run by the brilliant people at Frimley Heath, I'm incredibly proud that we can help provide some fun distraction."

The response from the young participants and their families was overwhelmingly positive, with parents describing moments of “real happiness” and “a welcome distraction” from hospital life.

“From the moment we first discussed bringing Taskmaster to our children’s wards, we knew it had the potential to be something truly special. Hospital can be a daunting place for young people, and this project offers a fun, uplifting distraction during what can be a difficult time. It’s been carefully tailored to the hospital environment, using play and laughter to help lift children’s spirits as they recover. During the initial trial, we received amazing feedback from everyone who took part.” said Katie Wilson, Interim Head of Nursing for Babies, Children and Young People at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Taskmaster Hospital Club uses elements of the TV show to inspire, engage and teach young patients during their stay in hospital. On children’s wards, the health play specialists or nurses will take on the role of the Taskmaster, supported by Alex Horne on screen, and the patients are the contestants taking part in tasks that are safe, fun and workable in the hospital environment.

Ellen Duke, National Deputy Director for Children and Young People’s Nursing at NHS England
“We started working with Taskmaster Education in the summer of last year to adapt their format that is delivered in schools to be suitable for children in hospital. The motivation for the project came from the results of a patient experience survey where some children and young people told us there isn't enough to do when they're in hospital.

“This is an easy to use, flexible resource that can be modified to suit the patients whether it’s to accommodate additional needs or to make the tasks more difficult for older children.”

The pilot at Frimley Park Hospital has helped shape a national roll-out, and the Taskmaster Hospital Club will soon be available free to children’s wards across the country through NHS Futures. The package is made up of a video and written resource that can be picked up and delivered by staff without additional training.