A 10-year-old girl’s wish to make hospital a better place for other children and families is being brought to life in the North East, with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) becoming the first organisation in the region to receive Sophie’s Legacy Approved Hospital recognition.

Sophie Fairall spent much of her final year in hospital undergoing treatment for a rare childhood cancer.

Before she died in September 2021, aged just 10, Sophie identified three things she wanted to change for other children and their families: better food for children in hospital, meals for parents staying alongside their child and access to Play Specialists seven days a week.

Her mum, Charlotte Fairall, has since worked to turn Sophie’s wishes into reality through Sophie’s Legacy, working with hospitals and national organisations to improve the experience of children and their families.

CDDFT is the first organisation in the North East and only the third nationally to achieve Sophie’s Legacy Approved Hospital status.

The recognition celebrates three commitments across the Trust’s children’s services:

  • Providing meals for parents who stay overnight with their child.
  • Offering an up-to-date menu designed specifically for children.
  • Providing Play Specialist support seven days a week.

The work has brought together colleagues from Children’s Services, Play Specialists, Catering and Facilities.

Parents staying overnight with their child are provided with meals, while a dedicated children’s menu, formally introduced in March 2026, provides child-friendly choices throughout their hospital stay.

The Trust has also established seven-day Play Specialist provision. Therapeutic and specialist play can help children understand their treatment, prepare for procedures and cope with being in hospital.

Improving food for children in hospital

The new children’s menu took around 12 months to develop and implement, with feedback from children and families helping the team to continue improving the choices available.

The work forms part of wider improvements within CDDFT’s Catering Service. Around 18,000 meals are prepared from scratch each week across the Trust, with teams carrying out weekly food tasting to monitor quality and consistency.

Stuart Wray, Head of Facilities (Catering, Retail and Food Safety) at CDDFT, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition because ultimately it is about making hospital a little easier for children and their families at what can be a very difficult time.

“When I first heard about Sophie’s Legacy and the changes Sophie wanted to see, they were things we felt strongly about too. We brought colleagues together from Catering, Children's Nursing and the Play Team and looked carefully at how we could make sure all three commitments were firmly embedded across our services.

“A huge amount of work has gone into our children's menu in particular. We want children to have good-quality food they enjoy and choices that work for them while they are in hospital. We continue to listen to feedback from children and families so that we can keep improving.”

CDDFT’s Catering Service has also achieved NHS England Catering Exemplar Site status, recognising its commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-focused catering services.

Charlotte Fairall, founder of Sophie’s Legacy, said:

“Sophie was very clear about the things she wanted to change for other children in hospital, and it means so much to see those wishes being put into practice.

“Things such as making sure a parent can eat while staying beside their sick child, giving children food they actually want to eat and having access to a Play Specialist every day can make an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time.

“I’m delighted to recognise County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for making these commitments and helping us continue Sophie’s legacy.”

The Trust was formally presented with its Sophie’s Legacy recognition at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Stuart added: “Sophie was only 10, but the things she identified were practical, important changes that can make a lasting difference to thousands of families. It is very special for our teams to now play a part in carrying that legacy forward.”

Find out more about Sophie and her legacy on the Sophie’s Legacy website.