How dancers Kate and Charlene are getting GOSH patients moving

Kate and Charlene bring a wealth of experience to GOSH – both with personal connections to their work.

For Kate, movement has always been her voice. “I love bringing the joy of movement to children at GOSH, showing them to use it in their own unique way,” she says.

Similarly, Charlene sees dancing as a way for people to find “their own unique way of expressing themselves”. She elaborates that “movement is just happiness – when most people dance they’re just happy and don’t think about anything else”.

Charlene has worked in community care settings for over 20 years, using dance to connect with both vulnerable adults and children. Despite being born with scoliosis and told she didn’t fit the "typical ballerina" mould, she pursued dance because it was the one thing that made her “feel right”.

Kate’s personal journey is also rooted in her own experiences with illness, having spent considerable time in hospitals as a child. “I was one of these kids,” Kate shares. “I know how isolating it can feel.”

Kate fondly remembers putting Charlene – who she refers to as her “rock”  – on the back of her wheelchair and racing off during their first choreography session together, evidence of their seamless working partnership.

While Kate takes on the role of mentor, Charlene is “shameless” in her pursuit to get “literally any person dancing”. Together, they provide an energy which is truly infectious for patients, families and staff alike.

Hospital stays often mean missing out on the experiences that define childhood — school, play, and socialising.

As Charlene explains: “Childhood shouldn’t be about responsibility but freedom to play, make friends, and learn.” Without this, “it can feel like you’re not a child anymore”.

That’s where GOSH Arts steps in, offering distraction and relief during long treatments or waiting times. “It’s about reminding them that life is still good,” Charlene adds.

Their performances, often in waiting rooms, invite children and adults to join in. “You start to see a few people showing interest, and that’s when we encourage them to join in and get everyone dancing,” Charlene says. This not only lightens the mood but also creates a more relaxed hospital environment.

On one occasion, they used PPE plastic aprons to perform a semi-improvised dance, turning something clinical into a source of joy. "The aprons float beautifully, and they help kids connect with something they may find intimidating," Charlene explains.

You can watch a video of this performance on Kate's Instagram.

For children who have been in the hospital for longer periods, Kate and Charlene adapt their approach.

They often visit the wards, offering impromptu dance sessions, or work with children referred by the Play team – another service funded by the charity.

Their sessions can range from sensory bubble parties to themed dances, and sometimes even a custom performance to the latest K-pop hits.

“You’ve got to be prepared to completely scrap the plan,” says Kate, as the mood of patients can change quickly, requiring flexibility.

Props such as speakers, egg shakers, shiny foil blankets, hula hoops, and wipe-down musical instruments enhance their sessions, offering a multi-sensory experience that sparks participation and joy.

Kate’s own experience with illness fuels her empathy for the children she works with. “When I was ill as a child, I missed out on a lot, isolated from friendships and fun experiences,” she says. At GOSH, she’s determined to help kids hold onto the joys of childhood, even in difficult circumstances.

While Kate and Charlene’s focus is primarily on the children, their work also has a positive impact on hospital staff and parents.

“The kids are really strong, but it’s the parents who are trying to hold it together,” Charlene says. For parents, seeing their children laughing, playing, and enjoying hospital life can offer much-needed relief. Charlene adds: “I feel it’s important not to just sweep over things and be like, ‘everything's going to be fine,’ because that's not what we’re here to say. We try to relate; we try to empathise and hopefully make them feel a bit more human.”

Kate agrees, saying, “Hospital can be draining. A programme like GOSH Arts brings moments of lightness, breaking up that anxious waiting time.”

The pair’s enthusiasm and warmth can often lead to moments of connection with staff as well. “I’ve made nurses do a catwalk with me,” Charlene laughs. “And once, a staff member did some breakdancing with us!”

The GOSH Arts programme is just one of the patient, family and staff support services funded by the charity. Other areas include the Play team, music therapy, family accommodation and a multi-faith chaplaincy service.

The charity also funds groundbreaking research, cutting-edge medical equipment and technology and the building of child-centred facilities, such as the new Children’s Cancer Centre.

For Kate, GOSH is "redefining what a hospital actually is". "I didn’t have the support that kids are getting here, so I know GOSH is doing a good job," she says.

Through their work at the hospital, Kate and Charlene are helping to ensure that even in the hardest of circumstances, childhood can still be a time of joy, play, and expression.

The GOSH Arts programme isn’t just about providing activities – it’s about preserving childhood and offering hope, creativity, and connection to children and families during some of the toughest times of their lives.

At GOSH Charity, we stop at nothing to help give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible.

Find out more about how we support children and their families at GOSH, and discover how you can get involved.