Merlin’s Magic Wand Launches Mobile Play Unit at Basingstoke & Northampshire Hospital

This month, Merlin’s Magic Wand proudly donated a brand new mobile play unit to the children’s ward at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, bringing moments of magic, creativity, and comfort directly to young patients' bedsides.

The project, led by our dedicated Charity Project Manager Rebecca, marks the launch of our second mobile unit and continues our mission to deliver magical experiences to children wherever they are. Fully wrapped in Merlin’s Magic Wand branding, the unit is bright, inviting, and designed to instantly transform clinical spaces into joyful, engaging environments.

Filled with fun, the mobile unit features a built-in game console for digital play and a variety of LEGO® and DUPLO bricks to inspire hands-on creativity and imaginative exploration. Whether offering a cheerful distraction during treatment or encouraging self-expression during recovery, the unit provides a much-needed escape for children in hospital care.

To celebrate the launch, Rebecca was joined by Global Operations Manager Elin, Head of Merlin’s Magic Wand Alyson, and Charity Champion Melina and her team from the Basingstoke office, whose ongoing support was instrumental in bringing this project to life. The event was also made possible thanks to the wonderful collaboration with the hospital’s charity team, Hampshire Hospitals Charity.

Together, they hosted a special launch party at the hospital, marking the beginning of a meaningful new partnership. We were honored to have the hospital’s CEO and dedicated healthcare staff in attendance, along with several young patients who were invited to take part in the celebration. Adding to the magic, a special LEGO® character dropped by to interact with the children, offering smiles, high fives, and plenty of fun photo opportunities.

A special shout-out goes to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort for helping bring some extra magic to the launch—your support made the day even more unforgettable for the children and families involved.

Rebecca shared her thoughts on the initiative:
"We know that hospital stays can be incredibly tough for children and their families. Our goal with the mobile unit is to create moments of happiness and normalcy, to give children the freedom to play, explore, and just be kids, even while in a hospital bed. It’s been amazing to see this project come to life and to know it’s making a real difference."

With this latest addition, Merlin’s Magic Wand continues to extend its reach, offering comfort, play, and magical memories to children when they need them most