Worry Monster moves in to the Children’s Allergy Service
12 September 2018
Your donations have funded a Worry Monster – an innovative child-friendly device that helps children with food allergies express their worries around their condition. It’s a useful, effective tool for allaying deep-seated anxieties.
Parents and carers have been impressed with how this new furry friend encourages their children to talk more openly about their anxieties and helps them overcome their fears.
Opening up conversations
The cute and friendly Worry Monster lives in the clinic rooms, ready to gobble up any anxieties expressed by our young patients. After writing down their fears and worries, children place their written words in the mouth of the Worry Monster. Not only does this unburden young patients, it also serves to normalise their feelings because they can look at the thoughts expressed by other youngsters and realise that they’re not alone.
Lizzie Doncaster, mother to nine-year-old Joe, who has multiple life-threatening food allergies and chronic eczema was impressed at how much the Worry Monster helped her son during his clinic sessions.
‘It opened up a conversation that I don’t think would have happened without the Worry Monster being shown to him,’ says Lizzie. ‘We went through all the different worries that were thrown up in this particular clinic from other children and Joe said, “I wonder if that’s all the boys that I’m friends with in the clinic” - so that opened up another conversation.
‘The Worry Monster enables him to have a little bit more control over things and articulate lack of control or wanting more control.'
Overcoming fears
The children’s worries can come in many forms, from feeling different from other children to being scared of trying new foods in case they have a severe reaction.
Seven-year-old Rohan suffers from needle phobia, so much so that he has refused any skin prick testing (the most common allergy test) for two years.
‘We actually don’t know what his allergy status is at the moment, which is a big problem as it’s so important,’ explains his mother, Meera Shah. ‘The Worry Monster is one of the tools that’s helping us overcome that, so we can have up-to-date information.'
‘I saw an immediate impact within the clinic on Rohan. It helped him express his worries, which he wasn’t able to do before.
‘Using the Worry Monster means that we don’t have to have a direct conversation about it, which he sometimes finds anxiety provoking.’
Making a huge difference
Dr Polly James is a clinical psychologist in the children’s allergy service. She works with families and their children who have multiple and severe food allergies, and says that these conditions can cause numerous problems.
‘Children with allergies face a lot of difficulties which can significantly impact on their quality of life and create a lot of emotional difficulties,’ she explains.
‘Even at a very young age, they can sense that certain foods may not be safe for them to eat or become aware that they cannot eat the same as other children. Talking with children honestly and helping them express their emotions makes it easier for them to feel safe and secure.
‘It’s really fantastic to be able to use the Worry Monster as part of the service we provide to our patients,’ says Polly. ‘It’s a great tool to help reduce worries and emotional difficulties. So many families have been able to benefit from the Worry Monster, which has made a huge difference to their quality of life.’
Caiden and the Worry Monster
Caiden has multiple allergies. It’s stressful, and he used to struggle to talk about how he felt. Then he met the Worry Monster, and things got better...
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
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Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
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If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
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Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
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All items must be new and in their packaging and please note that we are unfortunately unable to accept any hot food and drink or any perishable food items.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx