During the second term, our Year 9 students had the opportunity to visit The Club at Juegaterapia, taking part in a meaningful and inspiring experience centred around creativity, empathy and emotional wellbeing. The visit allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of the foundation’s remarkable work supporting children undergoing cancer treatment, while also reflecting on the importance of compassion, human connection and community support.

Throughout the visit, students learned how Juegaterapia uses play, creativity and positive experiences to help improve the emotional wellbeing of children and families during difficult moments. The foundation’s spaces are carefully designed to create environments where children can feel safe, inspired and free to express themselves beyond the realities of hospital treatment. Experiencing this firsthand gave students valuable insight into the transformative power of creativity and the impact small acts of kindness can have on others.

The experience encouraged students to think more deeply about the role empathy plays within society and the responsibility we all share in supporting those around us. Through conversations, shared activities and moments of reflection, students explored how emotional wellbeing can be nurtured through connection, imagination and generosity. The visit became not only an opportunity to learn about an important cause, but also a chance for students to engage with the values of solidarity and social awareness in a real and meaningful way.

A particularly special aspect of the experience was the collaboration with Louise Pepper and her family, whose UK-based business, The Craft Outlet Store
, generously donated a wide range of arts and crafts materials to the foundation. These resources will now be used in creative workshops and activities for children undergoing treatment, helping provide moments of joy, expression and imagination when they are needed most.

The donated materials highlighted the importance of creativity as a tool for comfort, communication and emotional support. Seeing the spaces where these resources will be used helped students appreciate how artistic activities can offer children opportunities to express themselves, build confidence and experience moments of normality and happiness during challenging times.

The visit also reinforced the importance of collaboration between schools, families and charitable organisations in creating positive change within the wider community. At Hastings School, we strongly value opportunities that encourage students to look beyond the classroom and engage with meaningful social initiatives that help develop empathy, responsibility and compassion. Experiences such as this play an important role in shaping thoughtful, socially aware young people who understand the value of kindness and community engagement.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 9 students for the maturity, respect and enthusiasm they demonstrated throughout the visit. Their openness, curiosity and willingness to engage so thoughtfully with the experience reflected the values we aim to nurture across our school community.

Our sincere thanks go to Juegaterapia for welcoming our students and sharing the inspiring work they carry out every day, as well as to Louise Pepper and The Craft Outlet Store
for their generosity and support. Together, these experiences remind us of the power of creativity, connection and compassion in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.