2026 marks 25 years since the pioneering Elderflower Programme was developed by Hearts & Minds founder Magdalena Schamberger, bringing therapeutic clowning to older people living with dementia in care homes and hospital assessment units across Scotland.
Magdalena reflected on the programme’s beginnings: “From the very first day of introducing Clowndoctors to children’s wards across hospitals in Scotland in 1999, I was keen to expand our programme to older adults. Visiting and engaging with people who have dementia did not seem difficult to me—I was looking at the person beyond their diagnoses and concentrating on human connection, communication, and playfulness.”
We combined these universal principles and the iconic red nose—as an invitation to connect—with a unique clown family concept, featuring beloved characters such as Dr. Beatz, Cosy, and Toots. Since its starting point, the unique Elderflowers Programme and its core principles of engagement have been adopted by healthcare clowning organisations across Europe and beyond.
Congratulations to Our Founder, Magdalena Schamberger
Magdalena was officially appointed as an Ambassador at the EFHCO Assembly in Paris—an honour that recognises her longstanding contribution to healthcare clowning globally. As one of the original eight founders of the European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organisations (EFHCO), Magdalena was awarded the prestigious ‘Nez d’Or’ (Golden Nose) and inducted into the Golden Nose Club.
To mark this special achievement, Magdalena joined some of our performers at rehearsal alongside Hearts & Minds CEO Sean Donnelly to celebrate. Congratulations from everyone at Hearts & Minds, Magdalena!
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