London Zoo has launched a new partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital that aims to support young peoples' wellbeing through nature.
To celebrate the start of the collaboration, one of the zoo's Humboldt penguin chicks has been named Mildred after the hospital's Mildred Creak Unit.
Together, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Zoological Society of London are developing nature-based activities and psychological interventions that support children and young people through their treatments and hospital stay.
Carly Vassar, chief of mental health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: "Children and young people at our hospital often have really challenging journeys and they’ve told us they can feel lonely or isolated, which has a serious impact on their mental and physical health."
As part of the partnership, ZSL's vets and zookeepers will demonstrate how animals undergo many of the same medical procedures as people.
Patients will be able to explore this through veterinary care and mindfulness videos on a curated 'nature channel' available on their bedside digital tablets, or through visits to the zoo.
"Many of our patients need blood tests, provide stool samples, X-rays and lots of other procedures, which can be really worrying for them," Vassar said.
Supporting wellbeing through nature
"We hope that by giving them the chance to see animals having the same tests it helps make them feel more normal and eases their anxiety in a new fun way."
Cat Hickey, head of conservation education at the Zoological Society of London, said: "At the heart of both London Zoo and Great Ormond Street Hospital is expert care.
"While one team looks after wildlife and the other cares for children, we share a belief that every individual deserves compassion, attention and the opportunity to thrive.
"We also know the powerful role nature can play in supporting wellbeing, making this a natural and meaningful partnership."
Images courtesy of ZSL
