Readly partners with Spread a Smile to provide digital magazine subscriptions for children in hospital

Readly, the digital magazine subscription service, has teamed up with children’s hospital charity, Spread a Smile, to be part of a puzzle kit ‘delivery drop’ this National Puzzle Day (Friday 29 January) to help keep seriously ill children and teenagers entertained during lockdown.

The coronavirus means that children and teenagers in hospital are more isolated than ever before, with one parent visitor (no siblings), no outside organisations visiting, and the usual play activities in hospital playrooms cancelled due to isolation rules. Digital activities, which children can access from their hospital rooms and cubicles, are more important than ever.

Spread a Smile brings joy and laughter into the lives of seriously and terminally ill children, teenagers and their families, providing hospital entertainment such as virtual entertainer visits, art initiatives, ward sessions and regular treat drops and boredom busting activity packs. 

For children experiencing extended hospital stays, offering new opportunities for challenge and distraction is crucial. Puzzles bring opportunities to develop problem solving skills and set children and teenagers achievable challenges.

"Marking National Puzzle Day by distributing magazines and puzzle books is a great opportunity for us to spread smiles to seriously ill children in hospital who currently have very little to do. By generously giving access to digital puzzle titles and magazines, Readly are helping provide children with a much needed distraction from pain and treatment." said Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of Spread a Smile

Readly digital magazine subscription provides unlimited access to over 5,000 magazines and newspapers all in one app. Family and friends can share the subscription on up to 5 devices. Readly’s puzzle titles include Puzzle World, Sudoku Selection, Premium Crosswords, Puzzler Suguru and children’s titles include Beano, National Geographic Kids, StoryTime, Shout and Film Stories Junior.

“Digital reading can help to keep us entertained, motivated and offer a form of distraction during challenging times. We are delighted to be partnering with Spread a Smile to provide access to our portfolio of titles for the children in hospital and their families. Our wide range of content can help them engage in new activities, offer new discussion points between children and their parents, and even their family at home”, says Rob Hanlon, Global Partnerships Director at Readly“

Visit www.readly.com for further information.