Waterford children in hospital set for new book delight

For newborns and their families, being in hospital can be especially distressing but a new joint initiative is setting its eyes on helping staff at UHW create a “nurturing and supportive environment for both infants and their families”.

A partnership of Waterford Libraries, Garter Lane Arts Centre and Waterford Healing Arts have worked with the Neonatal Unit at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to create a children’s book trolley full of stories carefully curated by our local librarians.

The organisations say that the initiative has been designed to help to bring a “sense of normalcy and comfort during a challenging time” and that the “trolley will provide families with the opportunity to read aloud to their babies, share stories, and create meaningful memories.” 

Funding was provided by the Well Festival of Arts & Wellbeing to purchase a variety of children's books.

"When the idea for the trolley was introduced to us by the collaborative partnership, we recognised the invaluable opportunity this would present, to provide moments of peace, connection, and warmth to families during their time here,” said Julie Moriarty, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 at the Neonatal Unit UHW.

“I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible new initiative that has been introduced to the Neonatal Unit, to foster bonding between babies and parents through reading books aloud during a time that can be emotionally taxing for them."

Ms Moriarty said that the initiative will “contribute significantly to the well-being of families” and noted that the Neo-Natal Unit team have “already started to witness” the positive impact of the project.

Mary Conway, City and County Librarian & Head of Culture at Waterford Libraries, said she was "delighted" to support the initiative. 

“This meaningful initiative will foster a love of reading in both parents and babies and promote shared reading experiences, while also promoting early literacy.” 

Sandra Kelly of Garter Lane Arts Centre said she was driven by her own personal experiences to support the initiative.

“Earlier in 2024, my little boy, Alex, spent six weeks in the NICU and SCUBU in Waterford after being transferred from Holles Street. During our brief stay in Dublin, we found solace in the beautifully illustrated books available in the parents' room, which we read to Alex every day."

"These books became a source of comfort and connection in a time fraught with uncertainty and anxiety. Once we returned to Waterford, we continued this ritual, exploring a book of poetry together, focusing on one poem each day."

Ms Kelly said she was “inspired by our experience in the Neonatal Unit and the invaluable support we received, I felt compelled to give back”.