The initiative is a collaboration between the DCH Library and Transition to Adult Services teams, Dorset Youth, and Winstone’s Independent Bookshops.
Volunteers from “Operation Jackanory” set up shop in the hospital’s restaurant on Thursday to ask staff, patients and members of the public to donate the cost of a book.
“We noticed that a lot of young people who are coming into hospital are using screens a lot of the time,” said Kate from Dorset Youth.
“On the wards, a lot of televisions are actually being removed, so it’s about trying to provide young people with an opportunity to enjoy reading.”
Kate said that children will be able to request a book from the library, which will then be brought to their ward.
“Hopefully, by encouraging young people to read for pleasure, we’ll be able to help them develop that life skill,” she said.
The hospital also plans on recording some of their clinicians who work with children reading children’s stories.
Those recordings will be made accessible on the hospital’s Youtube channel, allowing children to “meet” their care providers for the first time in a relaxed setting.