The aim of Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals is to bring Scouting activities into hospitals across Hampshire for young patients and their families.

Launched in 2015 our sections meet fortnightly at Southampton Children's Hospital and Queen Alexandra hospital, delivering a range of Scouting activities to young patients at their bedside. We also run activity afternoons at Naomi House Hospice and sessions for siblings of chronically ill children.

Activities are based on Scouting values and designed to be adaptable from age 4 to 16. They also are accessible to those with limited mobility or dexterity. Popular activities include making paper planes and gliders, cup stacking, mini ballistas and code breaking.

Naomi House and sibling sessions usually take place for a morning or afternoon during school holidays and involve a variety of activities run by leaders with young people moving between the various bases.

In each section the volunteers are a mix of Scout leaders, hospital volunteers and hospital staff. No one has to do every meeting. Volunteers sign up for those they are available for whether fortnightly, monthly or termly.

A typical evening lasts an hour and will involve a short briefing followed by going out onto the wards to deliver the activities at the patients bedside. Leaders are provided with uniform and carry branded book bags containing basic craft materials plus the resources for that evenings activity.