Festive visit to children in Barcelona hospitals and care homes

Players from the FC Barcelona men's first team squad have visited different children's hospitals around Barcelona, and for the first time this year, also several children's care homes run by the Government of Catalonia. This is a yearly charity initiative organised by the FC Barcelona Foundation as part of their Emotional Wellbeing programme. Being able to see, talk to, and meet the blaugrana idols in person was a truly emotional and joyous moment for all these children and young people going through a tough time during the festive period.

Led by vice-president for the Institutional area, Elena Fort, and including other Board of Director and Foundation Sponsor representatives, the blaugrana party left the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper at lunch time in different vehicles to travel to different children's hospitals and care homes.

Vitor Roque, the Brazilian FC Barcelona forward signed in the winter window, was also in the party, adding this traditional first team festive visit to his activities in his first few days at the Club. As was to be expected, the young Brazilian's impending arrival created a lot of excitement at Hospital Vall d'Hebron where he visited.

The players shared some heartfelt and unforgettable moments with the children, signing autographs, taking selfies, and giving them different gifts. The smiles, excitement and joy are excellent therapy for these children, some of whom have serious conditions.

Healthcare professionals indicate that these meetings see the children experience very positive feelings and emotions, which can help them in their recovery. The visit took place as part of the charity initiative, "Christmas all year round", within the framework of the FC Barcelona Foundation Emotional Wellbeing programme. Aware of the potential of FC Barcelona and their sportspeople for bringing positive emotions for ill hospitalised children, the Foundation regularly organises visits to different children's hospitals in Barcelona.

Children's care homes

Furthermore, this year saw the players visit several children's care homes run by the Government of Catalonia's Direcció General de l’Atenció a la Infància i l’Adolescència (DGAIA). These centres temporarily house children aged up to 18 years old in a situation of social risk (shelters), as well as children and young people removed from the family home because their educational needs are not being met (Centres Residencials d’Acció Educativa - CRAE).

The players' arrival at the different centres caused a real commotion, and the happiness and emotion from all the children and young people was palpable. The visits saw them able to meet the blaugrana players, receive messages of support, take photos and receive different gifts. The players themselves found meeting these groups of vulnerable children a unique and very enriching experience.

The following centres were visited:

- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu /Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix, Iñigo Martínez, Ferran Torres

- Hospital Vall d’Hebron / Vitor Roque, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gundogan

- Hospital de Barcelona (Assistència Sanitària) / Sergi Roberto, Xavi Hernández

- Hospital Parc Taulí de Sabadell / Oriol Romeu, Fermín López

- Casa Ronald McDonald / Christensen, De Jong

- CRAE Minerva / Balde, Lamine Yamal

- CRAE Nazaret / Koundé, Kochen

- Centre d’Acollida CAUI / Ronald Araujo, Iñaki Peña