OFTEN spending large parts of their life stuck in a hospital bed or at home, Naomi House is a place where seriously ill children can have fun – and lots of it.

The shelves of the toy cupboard here groan with specially adapted games, while the playground features a wealth of exciting equipment including a wheelchair roundabout.

There’s a state-of-the-art sensory room to stimulate children with limited cognitive abilities and a specially adapted pool, which gives many severely disabled young visitors their first taste of swimming.

Naomi House is a hospice at Sutton Scotney near Winchester that provides care to children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, their services include respite breaks and provides a place for youngsters to stay in the event of an emergency.

While they are here, their parents know that their complicated health needs are being taken care of – and the children can concentrate on being children in a purpose-built environment.

And it’s the play team – consisting of four members of staff – that are largely responsible for bringing huge smiles to their faces.

“A lot of the children who come here won’t live into adulthood, so for us to give them memories to take home with them is invaluable,” says activities coordinator, Katy Burton, pictured.

“These children have such complex conditions and are so vulnerable, that they don’t often get the opportunity to participate in the activities that they can do here.

“They know they can come here and have a good time. Play is a fundamental part of the Naomi House experience. We get to have fun with the kids every day and offer them the experiences they wouldn’t get otherwise.

We have the best job in the whole organisation in my opinion!”

One of the most popular respite activities here is the hydrotherapy pool.

Providing the opportunity for children to have fun and splash around or just relax, this is a safe place for them to do it.

Equipped with a special hoist and safety equipment, it is also decked out with disco lighting, sensory lights and music speakers.

“So many of our children spend their life in a wheelchair,” says Katy. “We can get them out of their chair and into a swimming costume and they can stretch out in the water.

“Many of them will never be able to use a public swimming pool. We are here to offer them the experiences they should be getting. We want them to have the same opportunities as every other child.”

The staff here use incredible skill and imagination to devise ways to interact through play with children, many of whom can’t communicate verbally.

There’s an art room packed full of paints, ribbons, glitter, sand, and sequins – perfect for sensory experiences that can be adapted to the individual’s needs.

Toys range from stuffed animals that have been wired up to a huge button that children can press to make them move, to a huge touch-screen computer.

Then there’s a music room, play room (often used by siblings, whom Naomi House do a lot of work with too) and a beautiful garden and playground, which often plays host to wheelchair races and water fights in summer.

In addition to Naomi House, there is also jacksplace next-door which is for young adults aged 18 and over.

The charity provides care to families and young adults living across Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.

“When they go home from Naomi House and show their families photos of them going on a walk or singing, their faces light up,” adds Katy. “It’s really special.”

To find out more about Naomi House or to donate, visit naomihouse.org.uk