We are deploying our actions in the homes of sick children

An essential project

This step forward is particularly significant because children hospitalised at home no longer have access to the services offered by health establishments, such as the ‘blouses roses’ or cultural activities. Their cultural rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, cannot be guaranteed, which reinforces their isolation. Furthermore, hospitalisation at home represents a considerable burden for parents, both emotionally and logistically.

"The deployment of this action at home is essential. The children in HAH often live on the margins of the cultural and educatuve expreriences available to others."

Dr Edith GATBOIS, HAH Paediatrician - Head of the Paediatrics-Obstetrics Clinical Department (AP-HP)

Mélanie LEVEQUE,  Coordinating paramedical executive - Paediatric HAH (AP-HP)

That's why the ‘Art in immersion: virtual reality in hospital’ project goes far beyond a simple educational and cultural workshop on the theme of the Cosmos. Combining educational support, well-being and family support, our unifying approach aims to bring relief to hospitalised children, parents and carers alike.

Working in families' homes: a sensitive and carefully prepared process

Entering a family's home is a delicate mission. It involves, on the one hand, an intrusion into their private and intimate space, with a confrontation with a heavy climate (depending on the seriousness of the child's illness). On the other hand, it places an emotional and professional burden on the mediator herself. These factors make rigorous preparation essential, both to train the mediators and to establish a relationship of trust with the nursing staff and families.

In the Île-de-France region, an immersion phase was set up with the AP-HP HAH teams, enabling mediators in the field to visit care units, where they were able to accompany nursery nurses during their home visits, in order to better prepare themselves. This immersion was complemented by specific training in the management of complex issues such as death among children in palliative care. Our mediators were thus perfectly equipped to respond appropriately to any questions or delicate situations that might arise during the workshops.

Similar preparations were put in place in Bordeaux, with the Bagatelle Foundation, so that children in HAD could make the most of this tailor-made programme, which is part of their care pathway.

 "This experience is a real therapeutic tool: it diverts attention from the pain, soothes anxiety, and allows people to return to the home as a place of learning and discovery, rather than just a medical space."

Dr Edith GATBOIS, HAH Paediatrician - Head of the Paediatrics-Obstetrics Clinical Department (AP-HP)

Mélanie LEVEQUE, Coordinating paramedical executive - Paediatric HAH (AP-HP)

A colourful journey to discover the cosmos 

The workshops, which last around 1.5 hours, take place at the bedside of children hospitalised at home, using specially adapted equipment. The kit designed by Culture pour l'Enfance contains teaching materials (a guide, photographs from CNES, fun game cards, media resources, etc.), artistic materials (a garland of the solar system to create, a rocket to build, etc.), and a virtual reality headset, enabling them to enjoy a unique digital experience from their bedside. 

"The children often have stars in their eyes at the end of the workshop, proud of their creations and of having learned new things."

Emilie PRUVOST, mediator for Culture pour l'Enfance en Île-de-France

Alongside a mediator and their parents, the children discover the ‘Destination Cosmos’ exhibition using VR headsets. Divided into 10-minute chapters, the exhibition sets the pace for the workshop: from rocket take-off to life in the ISS, and from the solar system to the galaxies, children are plunged into the immensity of the cosmos from their beds. Thanks to these chapters, the mediator alternates viewing with the VR headset with educational and creative activities, so that children, who are particularly tired, can take breaks. 

"The Cosmos VR programme is well suited to children and young people in hospital. For most of them it is their first VR experience and there is a lot of excitement when the helmet is put on the child's head." 

Sonia PICARD, mediator for Culture pour l'Enfance en Île-de-France

Encouraging feedback

In the Île-de-France region, staff at the AP-HP HAD are delighted that this project has been specifically designed for the situation of children hospitalised at home, who get a boost of energy from the workshops. 

"These moments of magic have a lasting impact: after the workshop, they talk about it, they draw what they have seen, they ask a thousand questions... These moments nourish their imagination and their resilience, giving them a new lease of life to face care." 

Dr Edith GATBOIS, HAH Paediatrician - Head of the Paediatrics-Obstetrics Clinical Department (AP-HP)

Mélanie LEVEQUE, Coordinating paramedical executive - Paediatric HAH (AP-HP)

For our mediators, these workshops are an opportunity to take part in another form of mediation that is rich in meaning and emotion.

"These workshops are often touching and moving, enabling people to forge new bonds and share their feelings and emotions together. They express a great deal of kindness and tenderness in intra-family relationships." 

Emilie PRUVOST, mediator for Culture pour l'Enfance en Île-de-France

For 2025, backed up by feedback and the needs we meet in the field, our aim is to roll out this project further, reaching more and more children and families.

"After a few months working together, one thing is certain: this project is a shining star in the sky of paediatric HAH. It proves that culture and innovation have their place in healthcare, and that by offering children a piece of the world, we are also offering them a glimpse of hope and reassurance. I hope that this wonderful initiative will continue to grow and shine for many other children in the future."

Mélanie LEVEQUE, Coordinating paramedical executive - Paediatric HAH (AP-HP)

If you'd like to be part of this mission, make a donation today to help us brighten their daily lives tomorrow!