Wonder Factory gives kids plenty to smile about

Nickolas and Jess, who both had liver transplants at the Royal Children's Hospital, celebrate their new Wonder Factory

Sick children and their families celebrated the opening of the Royal Children's Hospital's newly refurbished entertainment centre, the Wonder Factory, on Tuesday 22 April.

Following a five-month $400,000 refurbishment, achieved free of charge with donated labour and materials, the new-look interactive Wonder Factory provides a holistic entertainment service for all kids.

The indoor and outdoor initiatives include a specialist teenage retreat, an extensive book, DVD and game library and regular interactive workshops.

The larger, up-to-date facility will allow staff and volunteers to continue working wonders for sick kids and prescribe the best medicine of all - a daily dose of fun.

Royal Children's Hospital Foundation CEO Karenlee Spillane said the Wonder Factory provides an invaluable service entertaining inpatients, siblings and visitors.

"Hospital visits are often very difficult times for patients and their families as it can be lonely and frightening with lots of new faces and scary equipment. The Wonder Factory helps make a child's hospital stay a little less daunting by helping them do what kids should be doing - having fun, meeting new friends and laughing," Ms Spillane said.

"The Wonder Factory has been making trips to hospital a little bit easier for almost 20 years and now our entertainment services are bigger and better than ever.

It's just wonderful to see the results of the tremendous amount of work that has gone into creating this haven for sick kids."

To ensure all children can experience the Wonder Factory, the new facility has been specially designed for easy access by patients in wheel chairs or in beds.

"Even if kids are unable to leave the ward, the magic of the Wonder Factory can still brighten up their day. Televisions are installed at every hospital bed, in all playrooms and in specialist waiting areas to broadcast the Wonder Factory's in-house entertainment channel throughout the hospital. Volunteers can also visit patients at their bedside to play," Ms Spillane said.

"Queensland Maintenance Services generously provided all construction services for the refurbishment free of charge. This was an amazing gesture for which the hospital, and the children, are extremely grateful," Ms Spillane said.

Volunteers at the Wonder Factory participate in fun activities and play with patients, giving parents and carers a much-needed break, time to meet with the doctors or a chance to grab something to eat or drink.

Cairns mother Joanne Schmalfuss said the Wonder Factory was an invaluable resource for their family during hospital visits for her daughter Jade.

"The Wonder Factory is a credit to the dedicated and hard-working staff and volunteers who lift the children's spirits and ensure their stay is happy and enjoyable, despite the often trying circumstances," Ms Schmalfuss said.

"Jade's complex medical needs means we regularly visit the Royal Children's Hospital and sometimes we're there for weeks at a time. My three-year-old daughter Caitlyn has to spend all day with me at the hospital which can become drawn-out and boring for an energetic child.

"After discovering the Wonder Factory, Caitlyn has found a blissful haven of entertainment full of fun and games. It's a big comfort to know I can spend time with Jade when I need to and that Caitlyn has a place she can go where she feels safe, secure and, most of all, happy."

From its humble beginnings as an in-house radio station, the Wonder Factory has evolved into a major hub for children's entertainment, having hosted a string of high-profile celebrities including Hi 5, The Wiggles, Steve Irwin, the Brisbane Broncos, the Brisbane Lions and the Queensland Reds.

In 2007, volunteers donated more than 17,500 hours of their time to entertain more than 25,000 patients, siblings, friends and visitors through direct visits, pet therapy, roaming entertainment and ward visits for non-mobile patients.

Located in the hospital's Coles Health Services Centre, the Wonder Factory is open every day of the year and is an initiative of the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.

For more information, to become a volunteer or to make a donation, visit workingwonders.com.au.

Media Contact:

Brooke Crosby RCHF Senior Communications Officer 0407 163 876