Transforming rehabilitation into a space to play, grow and smile.

This project aims to create an innovative outdoor space for children and adolescents admitted to the paediatric ward of Sant Pau Hospital. This environment will enable physical medicine, rehabilitation and physiotherapy professionals to develop activities tailored to each patient’s needs, encouraging physical exercise in a fun, safe and motivating way.

Physical exercise and sports activities have positive medical and psychosocial effects on children and adolescents, including increased self-esteem, socialisation and improved overall health. From a physical perspective, they can improve cardiorespiratory capacity, increase muscle strength, and enhance motor function and mobility, among other benefits.

Healthcare institutions are increasingly implementing prehabilitation and physical activity programmes to support better patient recovery, particularly for those living with chronic and complex conditions.

At Sant Pau, the outdoor gym has been designed through multiple group sessions and in-depth interviews with patients, families and healthcare professionals. This approach ensures that the design of the space is fully aligned with the real needs of both users and professionals. The result is not only an area that encourages physical exercise, but also a space with a playful component that promotes greater engagement with sport among children. This is a key factor in supporting their wellbeing during hospital stays.

This solidarity initiative is part of the Polseres Blaugranes programme of the Barça Foundation.

Through this programme, initiatives are developed in collaboration with paediatric hospitals in Catalonia and around the world, with the aim of making the care provided to children and young people with serious illnesses more welcoming and human-centred, according to the needs identified by each hospital and within home-based palliative care.

The programme aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of hospitalised children and adolescents and their families through emotional support programmes, recreational activities and psychological support. It also promotes the implementation of other complementary and innovative therapies that can contribute to improving the progression of their conditions.

The main objectives of the Polseres Blaugranes programme are:

• Improve the wellbeing of children and adolescents with serious illnesses during their long hospital stays, while also providing support to their families.

• Promote the humanisation of leading paediatric hospitals, ensuring that care is not only technical, but also more welcoming and adapted to the needs of young patients.

• Create attractive environments and spaces that help support children and families throughout the illness journey.

• Promote innovative therapies and complementary approaches alongside conventional medical treatments.

Fundació FC Barcelona (web)