A charity supporting disadvantaged children, vulnerable adults and people of all ages with learning disabilities or special needs in the Thurrock area has spread its wings and has been active helping children's wards at hospitals throughout the region.

Get Started is a charity supported by Essex Freemasons and has recently been working with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to provide thousands of free activity pages and colouring pencils to young patients.

Dave Barton, from the charity, said: "Sometimes children or young people find aspects of their hospital visits challenging, uncomfortable or distressing, so art and creativity can provide comfort, enjoyment and distraction to young people in hospitals.

"The fun activity sheets have been designed not only to keep children occupied during visits to paediatric outpatients units, but also to encourage children to engage on their own, and look for a solution on their own.

"They can help develop logic in the children and can teach children how to think. Their logic builds up as they try to figure out solutions and answers by themselves.

"Puzzle Games and Word searches are proven to work to enhance children's overall brain power, whether that's their memory or their problem-solving skills.

"Children tend to enjoy Art and puzzles, and this can keep them focused, improving their concentration. They are also ideal for small moments of time as they can easily be stopped and started.

"We understand that a visit to the Hospital can be a demanding and distressing time for both children and their parents, so we really hope these seasonal activity sheets will be a bit of fun and distraction for the children, and also allow a little peace for Mum and Dad."