Hearts & Minds have welcomed to Edinburgh delegates to the General Assembly of the European Federation of Healthcare Clowning Organisations. The General Assembly was held at The Scottish Storytelling Centre in the heart of the historic city from 2 – 4 October.
The General Assembly is an annual meeting for Artistic Directors and Chief Executives and General Managers from the 20 healthcare clowning organisations across Europe.
The Assembly took place over three days and included presentations by member organisations, artistic workshops and discussion groups where efhco members shared what is happening within their own countries and discuss impacts and outcomes of healthcare clowning.
Healthcare clowning is not unique to Scotland. It is an internationally recognised performing arts in health practice. Healthcare clowns always bring great joy and laughter, and the health benefits they bring are significant too. Research shows that the person-centred emotional engagement they offer each person they visit lessens loneliness and isolation, relieves distress and worry, and supports healthcare staff and families too.
Sean Donnelly, CEO, of host organization Hearts & Minds commented:“I am thrilled to have welcomed our colleagues from healthcare clown organisations across Europe to Edinburgh for this annual assembly.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for us to discuss and compare our work and the challenges we face and support each other with new ideas and shared research.
“We are also delighted that while in Edinburgh we will introduce them to the history of Edinburgh’s Old Town and there will be a ceilidh where a few whiskies will be enjoyed”
Hearts & Minds are delighted to welcome Diane Thornton and Lucy McGreal as their new Joint Artistic Directors as the charity celebrates 25 years of delivering their therapeutic clown programme.
Diane and Lucy have been artists with the charity for several years and both are trained as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers. The charity is delighted that they are now going to lead the Artistic Programme. They will be working alongside Fiona Ferrier and Rachel Colles who will now become joint Programme Engagement Managers.
Fiona and Rachel have been Interim Co Artistic Leads for the last two years and will remain an integral part of the team that co-ordinates the programmes in hospitals, hospices, schools, and residential healthcare units.
All four artists will still practise as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers and continue to deliver therapeutic clowning visits to young people and ladies and gents with dementia.
Diane and Lucy commented on their new appointment: “We are delighted to become co-Artistic Directors of Hearts & Minds. It feels extra special to take on this role when the organisation is celebrating 25 years of the Clowndoctors.
“We are stepping forward to lead an artistic team we’ve been part of for a long time. Diane started as a Clowndoctor 18 years ago and Lucy started as an Elderflower 13 years ago.
“We have huge respect for our multi-skilled colleagues. We are grateful for the excellent work of interim co-Artistic Leads Fiona and Rachel. We will always be inspired by our former Artistic Directors Suzie Ferguson and Magdalena Schamberger.
“Therapeutic clowning is not unique to Scotland. It is an internationally recognised performing arts in health practice. It’s not just for laughs! Our therapeutic clowns offer authentic emotional engagement with each person they visit, creating connections which have lasting positive impacts on well-being.
“We look forward to developing our programmes in healthcare, education, and social settings. Our aim is for Clowndoctors and Elderflowers to be further integrated in units across Scotland, consistently offering work of the highest quality and fostering strong collaborations with staff.
“We are passionate about equality and access. At the heart of our work is the experience of the children, young people, and adults we visit.”
Sean Donnelly, CEO, Hearts & Minds commented:“I am thrilled to welcome Diane and Lucy into their new roles as Joint Artistic Directors of Hearts & Minds.
“Their dedication and long-standing commitment to our organisation, coupled with their extensive experience as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers, make them invaluable leaders for our artistic programmes.
“I am confident that under their guidance, Hearts & Minds will continue to flourish and positively impact the lives of those we serve. I also want to extend my gratitude to Fiona Ferrier and Rachel Colles for their exceptional leadership as interim Co-Artistic Leads and their ongoing contributions to the ongoing development of Hearts & Minds.
“This is a significant year for Hearts & Minds as we celebrate 25 years of the Clowndoctors, and I look forward to working together to support even more people when they need it most.”
Award-winning Edinburgh charity Hearts & Minds has today received an award of £15,360 from the National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All Scotland to enable the charity to develop their Elderflower Programme for people living with dementia in Alloa.
Sean Donnelly, CEO, Hearts & Minds commented:“We are delighted that our Elderflower programme has been awarded funding from the National Lottery.
“This crucial support will enable Hearts & Minds to create personalised interactions specifically designed for individuals living with dementia in Clackmannan.
“We understand the importance of fostering positive human connections for those affected by dementia, and our aim is to provide them with meaningful, engaging, and often uplifting experiences that significantly contribute to their well-being and overall quality of life.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the National Lottery for this award, which will allow us to extend our reach and impact to even more individuals this year.”
The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still said: “Every day National Lottery funding is changing the lives of thousands of people in communities across Scotland for the better.
“This project delivered by Hearts & Minds Limited, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work which is making a real difference to so many.”
Hearts & Minds would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund, for this award made possible by National Lottery players.
The Elderflowers are professional performers selected for their empathy, compassion, respect, and playfulness and are trained in clowning techniques including improvisation, music, slapstick, celebrating mistakes and rhythm.
They are also trained how to use their clowning skills in healthcare environments for older people living with dementia and other associated cognitive difficulties, who might be feeling anxious, isolated, confused, or frustrated, have sensory decline, and a loss of confidence and self-esteem.
The Elderflowers currently visit Findlay House, Edinburgh and Borders General Hospital and with this funding will return to Clackmannan.
Hearts & Minds welcome Scots comedian Chris Forbes as their new Ambassador for the Clowndoctorsas they celebrate 25 years
Hearts & Minds is pleased to welcome top Scots comedian Chris Forbes as their new Ambassador for the Clowndoctors as they celebrate 25 years of delivering Clowndoctor visits.
Chris is an award-winning actor, writer, and comedian. Star of BBC’s Scot Squad and one of the most in demand comics in the UK, he is a regular panellist on Breaking the News and has achieved widespread popularity as The Other Murray Brother alongside Judy Murray.
Last year at the Pride of Scotland Awards, Chris, along with Janey Godley, presented the Clowndoctors with the TSB Community Award in recognition of the work they do in helping young people overcome difficulties and to face challenges with a smile,
Chris Forbes said: “In my time as a volunteer for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, I saw first-hand how much joy and happiness the Clowndoctors brought to children and families in their darkest moments.
“It’s such a precious gift and therefore I am so proud to be an ambassador for the Hearts & Minds charity.”
Sean Donnelly, CEO, Hearts & Minds commented:“I’m absolutely thrilled that Chris has agreed to join Hearts & Minds as our ambassador.
“Chris’s involvement will be a huge boost to our efforts as we deliver more Clowndoctor visits to offer support, playfulness and emotional support for children, young people, and families across Scotland.
“In 2024 Hearts & Minds celebrate a remarkable 25 years of the Clowndoctors. We are delighted to have Chris join us in this momentous year. We look forward to working together spreading light, laughter and joy when it is needed most.”
The Clowndoctors started delivering their visits to children at Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital (now the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People) in 1999 and then to children in Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow.
The Clowndoctors are all professional performing artists and have trained in the art of clowning and use their skills to develop therapeutic clowning visits to help ease anxiety and stress of being in hospital.
The Clowndoctors still visit both hospitals in their new locations, and it was at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow that Chris Forbes saw the Clowndoctors work their magic.
Chris joins author and motivational speaker Gavin Oattes as an ambassador for the Clowndoctors and Phyllis Logan, ambassador for the Elderflowers, the charity’s dementia programme.
Thanks to the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Edinburgh for use of the POD for our photographs with Chris Forbes and the Clowndoctors.
Grant will support Clowndoctor visits at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children & Young People
The Clowndoctors will be delivering smiles every week at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People thanks to support of the People’s Postcode Trust.
The People’s Postcode Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Our organisation received £21,605 from the Trust to enable us to deliver weekly Clowndoctor visits at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Edinburgh (formerly The Sick Kids)
Hearts & Minds believe that meaningful human connection is vital for wellbeing, and that this is especially important when we are at our most vulnerable. Through the art of therapeutic clowning Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors connect with children and their families who might be facing anxiety, stress, and feelings of isolation while the child is receiving treatment in hospital.
Recently the Clowndoctors were able to visit Robbie at the RHCYP, where he has been for some weeks. Robbie knows the Clowndoctors well from seeing them at the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh and he calls them his friends.
The Clowndoctors were delighted to visit him in hospital and play his favourite game of “BOO!’ Dr Mousse also recorded a special message for Robbie which he has saved on his phone so he can listen to as often as he likes.
Richard Dalgleish, Robbie’s dad, said: “We wanted to say a big thank you to Dr Mousse and Dr Cous Cous for taking the time to say hello to Robbie when we met the Clowndoctors at the Royal, Edinburgh a few weeks back.
“Even though Robbie is far from well, it was lovely for Robbie to hear from people he knows well from the Sick Kids and from visits to the Royal Blind School.
“Robbie has been in hospital now for 6 weeks and has had 3 operations. The Clowndoctors have visited him regularly and their visits have given him a much-needed boost. Thank you for all the work that you do.”
Rachel Colles, Joint Artistic lead at Hearts & Minds, commented: “It has been a privilege to visit Robbie over many years. We started visiting him when he was a pupil at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.
“We built up a great relationship playing with Robbie’s love of slapstick, surprises and words. Robbie loves to send the Clowndoctors flying around and surprising them with a big boo. We felt we had a strong and special connection.
“When Robbie left school, we did not see him anymore, so it was a real pleasure to bump into him and his parents at the hospital and were very happy to arrange a couple of visits on his adult ward. It was great to get the opportunity to visit him in this new setting and be welcomed by the staff on the ward where our visits were seen as a bit of colour and change in their day.
“As Clowndoctors these long-term relationships are very valuable to us and makes me personally very happy when we see children and young people who we know so well and be a positive part of their experience of health care settings.”
Sean Donnelly, Interim CEO, Hearts & Minds said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from People’s Postcode Trust to allow us to continue with much needed weekly Clowndoctor visits to the young people at the hospital in Edinburgh.
“These visits will deliver much needed laughter, fun and imagination to children who face anxiety while undergoing treatment for their illness.”
Please click the links for more information on People’s Postcode Trust www.postcodetrust.org.uk and People’s Postcode Lottery www.postcodelottery.co.uk
The Clowndoctors are back in Fife supporting families of local charity Nourish Support Centre thanks to funding from ExxonMobil
Hearts & Minds and Nourish Support Centre are pleased to announce they are working together again to support Fife families thanks to help towards funding from ExxonMobil at Mossmorran.
In June ExxonMobil workers selected Hearts & Minds as one of their charities to support in 2021 due to their ambition to support families facing adversity by bringing them joy, laughter and creative engagement through the Clowndoctors Programme.
In Summer 2020 during the first lockdown the Clowndoctors delivered virtual visits to Nourish families direct to their homes. Hearts and Minds wanted to develop their work further with Fife charity Nourish and help support their families with monthly Clowndoctor sessions. The generous funding from ExxonMobil workers of £5000 will help part fund these much-needed visits over the next twelve months.
Nourish and Hearts & Minds are a perfect partnership sharing the same ideals and values with empathy and kindness at the heart of everything they do.
Both organisations believe that meaningful human connection is vital for wellbeing, and that this is especially important when we are at our most vulnerable. Through the art of therapeutic clowning Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors connect to people’s humanity and transform experiences of adversity and create a safe space for families so they can relax and unwind and enjoy time together.
“Clowndoctors were amazing, Kacy giggled so much all the way through. It’s such a great experience and they do a fab job. We can’t thank Hearts & Minds, the clowndoctors and Nourish enough for the experience for Kacy, she just loves them.” – Parent
Nourish Support Centre was founded in 2011 by five parents who felt there was a lack of support for families who had children with additional support needs in the Kirkcaldy area. A lot of the children and families that access Nourish have met the Clowndoctors before at hospital or at respite care at hospices and are excited to see them again but this time with their siblings and families.
Louise Russell from ExxonMobil commented: “We were delighted that safe working practices during our recent plant improvement project enabled us to raise this money for Hearts & Minds, which was nominated by one of our workers.
“These visits will help bring happiness to many local youngsters and their families at a time when it is much needed.”
Rebecca Simpson, CEO, Hearts & Minds said: “We are delighted to be able to support Nourish and their families with a brand-new programme of monthly visits kindly funded by Exxon Mobil.
“These visits will deliver much needed laughter, creativity and imagination to children who are vulnerable especially in current times.”
Lynne Scott of Nourish said: “The smiles and laughter that the Clowndoctors bring to the children who use our services is just amazing, and its not just the young people who benefit, the whole family gain some quality time together having some fun time away from the day to day challenges they face.“
Newpartnership launches new website for carers of people with dementia
This week a partnership between Edinburgh charity Hearts & Minds, Designed by Society, Wee Culture and Edel Roddy launched a new website with valuable resources for unpaid and professional carers of people with dementia and anyone who has an interest in care for people in the later stages of dementia.
All of the partners have direct experience of working in the area of later stage dementia and developing resources. The project was funded by Dementia Series Development Trust.
The Treasure We Seek Project is based on the principles of the work of Hearts & Minds Elderflowers who use the art of therapeutic clowning to encourage moments of engagement, communication and movement with ladies and gents with dementia. The project took those principles and developed two sets of resources ‘Valuables’ and ‘Treasure Hunt’
Project LeadEdel Roddy explained: “The Treasure We Seek website was launched this week offering two free resources for people to feel connected to people living with later stage dementia.
“The resources have been developed with the hope they will be useful across a range of settings including schools, community groups, carers organisations and care settings, and we were thrilled with people’s responses.
“Initial feedback highlighted that people have started to develop ideas about how they will try out the resources, and potentially make them their own, with friends, family and in work settings. Attendees at the launch even helped us think about other contexts in which these resources could be used, the possibilities of which feel exciting.
“If you missed the launch you can find the resources on www.thetreasureweseek.net and we’d like to hear from anybody who tests them out or has thoughts or ideas about this work they’d like to share.”
These resources will help relatives and professionals to cope and care and also to evaluate how they feel and take notice of their own wellbeing so they don’t feel stressed or isolated.
Hearts & Minds is an award winning Scottish charity that works in collaboration with paediatric healthcare units, respite centres, schools for learners with complex additional support needs and Dementia units to deliver laughter, friendship and support to those who need it most.
Our Clowndoctors Programme supports children and young people to cope with life in a hospital, hospice or respite care setting and in schools for learners with complex additional support needs.
Our Elderflowers Programme helps people living with dementia or dementia-related conditions in hospitals and residential care homes.
Through playfulness, smiles and laughter, we help all of these vulnerable people to deal with the anxiety, fear, confusion and sadness that their situations and conditions may bring.
Dr Gayle Rice is an experience researcher and designer for Designed by Society. Her research background is qualitative and creative and focuses on people’s current and desired experiences. Her design practice involves designing to enable improvements in people’s experiences of social interactions.
Wee Culture
Belinda Dewar is a registered nurse, researcher, educator and practice developer with a career spanning over 30 years. She is currently Director of Wee Culture which aims to support people to explore and enhance culture.
She previously held the position of Professor of Practice Improvement at the University of the West of Scotland and the Lead for My Home Life Scotland.
The Dementia Series Development Trust
Dementia Series Development Trust is a charity with a vision to improve the lives of those living with dementia through the funding of activities which support this aim.
The Principles which guide the work of the DSDT are:
Proactive
Pump priming
Partnership
The Disruption Award funds projects which strive to disrupt some of the old ways that people think about dementia, and communicate new ideas that reframe it.
A galaxy of stars from the much-loved TV series & movie Downton Abbey are giving support to the new Christmas Appeal launched by Edinburgh charity, Hearts & Minds for their Elderflowers Programme helping people living with dementia and their carers.
The Downton stars have pledged to make a very special personalised Christmas video message for a number of lucky supporters.
Phyllis Logan, best known for her role as Downton Abbey housekeeper Mrs Hughes, is an Honorary Elderflower and huge supporter of this Scottish charity as she has had personal experience of loved ones living with dementia.
She came on board in 2016 and has been an active ambassador, so when the call came to ask for her support for the Elderflowers Christmas Appeal she went above and beyond and rallied her Downton Abbey co-stars to help support this charity that is close to her heart.
Phyllis and fellow Downton stars including Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael and Lesley Nicol have kindly agreed to send a selected number of personal Christmas video messages to a number of lucky people chosen at random in the Hearts & Minds Christmas Appeal for the Elderflowers.
For just £5 a lucky person could receive a special Merry Christmas video from Lord Grantham!
The stars are waiting in the wings to wish a Merry Christmas to the lucky supporters whose names will be picked at random on 7 December. Each Downton star will be sent the name of their lucky recipient and they will make them a very special personalised Christmas video message.
COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Isolated and unable to be with loved ones, much of what gives life it’s meaning has been stripped away.
Our Elderflowers, trained in the art of therapeutic clowning, have continued to provide joy, laughter, and meaningful connections to people who need it most throughout the pandemic, and your support will help us continue to do so into the future.
To support Hearts & Minds Elderflowers Christmas Appeal people should visit the Hearts & Minds Christmas Appeal page:
Minimum donation is £5. You can donate as many times as you wish. You must be over 18. Names will be chosen at random. There is no guarantee that you will receive a personalised video, but all money donated will support the Elderflower programme. By donating you are spreading joy, smiles and laughter to adults living with dementia.
Hearts & Minds, award-winning charity and home of the Clowndoctors, is pleased to announce an exciting and fun new programme for special educational needs schools across Scotland.
Clowning Around is an art and play programme specifically designed for children with special educational support needs. Using the art of therapeutic clowning professionally trained artists engage children in play, music, dance, song, puppetry, games and storytelling. The Clowndoctors use improvisational skills and expertise in non-verbal communication and play to create tailored programmes to suit individual needs.
• Clowndoctor on Call: bespoke live interactive sessions delivered virtually by the Clowndoctors to individuals or a small group. • Clowndoctor Personalised Videos: Videos created for individuals or small groups. Tailored to suit the needs and interests of the children/young people.
• Clowndoctor in the Classroom: live visits in the classroom with the Clowndoctors. These will return when restrictions allow. • Laughing Around: Laughter Yoga workshop for staff. This fun practical workshop is designed to relieve stress, lighten the mood, and form positive connections.
Clowndoctor on Call virtual visits were developed in response to COVID 19 as face to face visits in the classroom had to stop and Hearts & Minds were determined to keep the connection with pupils & bring moments of joy and laughter into the classroom.
The virtual visits have begun at Fairview School, Perth where they have been a huge success with staff and pupils.
Leigh Verdot, Head Teacher of Fairview School said: “We are thrilled to still get our weekly fix with the Clowndoctors. It is great to see the smiles and enjoyment from our pupils when they are engaging with the Clowndoctors on the ipads!
“Things are so different with COVID restrictions, so our weekly visits are one of the best parts of the week now. All our staff are learning from the Clowndoctors too. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the week!”
Rebecca Simpson, CEO of Hearts & Minds commented: “I am delighted to finally launch at our new school programme- Clowning Around. With 21 years’ experience of delivering our Clowndoctor programme it is exciting to be developing this work for schools across Scotland.
“The feedback we have received already has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the impact on the children. The programme is full of fun, laughter and creativity and will bring smiles to classrooms.”
The programme is open to all schools in Scotland who have pupils with complex learning needs and the programme can be tailored to suit the individual or a class. The team at Hearts & Minds will liaise with staff to provide a bespoke series of sessions.
Hearts & Minds is delighted and excited to announce that Gavin Oattes will be their new Ambassador.
Gavin is an award-winning entrepreneur, International keynote speaker and bestselling author. Based in Edinburgh his motivational talks are about happiness, kindness, empathy, playfulness and laughter – all values shared with the work of Hearts & Minds and the Clowndoctor & Elderflower Programmes.
His latest book Life Will See You Now has become a bestseller during this pandemic and is helping people get through lockdown. A former primary school teacher, he has the ability to get into the heads of kids and in his bestseller, Diary of a Brilliant Kid: Top Secret Guide to Awesomeness, co-written with Andy Cope & Will Hussey, they have created a ‘tweenagers’ atlas to life!
To launch the partnership with Gavin, Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors have taken his wonderfully funny short story for children, Pumpy Bee – and made it their own. This filmed short will be used in the future in the hospitals, hospices and schools for children with complex needs that the Clowndoctors visit.
Gavin Oattes said: “It’s an honour to have been asked to be an ambassador for such a wonderful charity.
“I love everything Hearts & Minds stand for and I can’t wait to get stuck in and help make a bigger difference”
Rebecca Simpson, CEO of Hearts & Minds said: “I am overjoyed to announce Gavin Oattes as an Ambassador for Hearts & Minds. Gavin’s passion, energy and enthusiasm for life are a perfect fit for us.
“His books teach us the importance of self-belief, kindness and laughter, all of which are embodied in the work that we do through therapeutic Clowning. I personally love his books and Diary of a Brilliant Kid: Top Secret Guide to Awesomeness is one of my daughter’s favourites. I am excited to develop the relationship between Gavin and Hearts & Minds, knowing that whatever we do there will be plenty of smiles, happiness and energy.
WATCH/ENJOY PUMPY BEE as told by the Clowndoctors!
