Between April 2022 and November 2022, we delivered Hip-hop rehabilitation sessions at Sheffield Children's Hospital where we worked with physiotherapists to deliver engaging artistic sessions to promote recovery. The children we worked with had a variety of conditions ranging from Traumatic Brain Injury, Leukemia and Brittle Bone Disease.
Feedback from Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
“The sessions injected fun into therapy!”
“The sessions helped the hospital feel less sterile and provided meaningful activity and find a space where they could have fun.”
“The music sessions allowed us to see the patient’s potential in a way we cannot replicate in a standard therapy session.”
“It was fantastic to see how the energy and fun from the hip hop session carried across to the next day. The energy from the first session lifted the whole ward and it had a positive impact for days.”
“The parents loved to see their child joining in and the children loved to see their parents joining in too.”
“It helped us connect positively with children and young people who were having a very difficult time.”
“The children’s faces lit up when we mentioned the Hip Hop artist was coming back in. They really looked forward to seeing him.”
The results:
The hip hop and physiotherapy collaborative sessions were welcomed by children and young people, families, and therapists, with the experience being overwhelmingly positive. Parental feedback centred around the sessions improving energy, motivating and boosting mood. Therapist feedback referred to the sessions being fun, meaningful, connecting with children positively and being able to better understand a child’s ability and potential.
The feedback from parents supports the encouragement of physical activity which is fun, safe and family-centred. It was tailored to each child’s abilities, interests and goals. Parents often joined in sessions with their child and encouraged them to join in, or asked to film sessions so they could share with the wider family, allowing the child to watch again and keep practising the dance steps between sessions, motivating the child be physically active outside of the session. Parental support is a known factor in encouraging children to be physically active.