Clowndoctors
Our Clowndoctors visit children and young people in hospitals and hospices. They are professional fools who are experts in interaction.
Clowndoctors value, validate, and amplify a young person’s unique voice, unique humour, and unique imagination, at times when they may be feeling powerless, anxious, isolated, bored, or in pain.
Just a small red nose
Our Clowndoctors are healthcare clowns, not party clowns. There’s no wacky make-up or custard pies! They wear smart (but silly) costumes, bright yellow coats, and red noses. They do not perform rehearsed routines.
Always Working in Duos
They always work together in duos and improvise visits with children and young people who are referred to them by staff.
Professional Artists
Our Clowndoctors are multi-skilled professional theatre-clown performers, specially trained to work in healthcare.
After successfully auditioning to join our team of artists, they receive continuing training in healthcare clowning, as well as training specific to each healthcare unit and the access needs of the people we visit.
Their specialist techniques blend physical theatre, music, gentle rhythm, storytelling, and sensory play, transforming unfamiliar clinical environments into spaces of comfort and laughter.
Behind the Scenes
🎬 Watch: The Cookie Conundrum with our Clowndoctors in action
No two visits are the same
Our Clowndoctors use healthcare clowning to engage with every child. Healthcare staff refer individual patients to the Clowndoctors, and each visit is tailored to the child.
We want to connect with every young person, especially if they are having a difficult time or are not feeling themselves. And, because every child and young person is different, every single one of our Clowndoctor visits is different too.
Our Clowndoctors are in the moment with you, playing with you and curious of you, so that together we create the best visit ever, just for you. Anything is possible when there’s a Clowndoctor in the room.
"For a moment we all forget we're in hospital."
— Sunday Herald“That was my joyous moment of the day. We'll be replaying that many times”
— Mum of 13yr old with ASN“The Clowndoctors co-create the moment with the child. They give them back a sense of control and help them feel powerful in a place where they often feel powerless.”
— Ronan McMahon (Dr Biscuit)
Where we visit
Our visits take place across Scotland in children's hospitals, hospices, and additional support needs (ASN) schools. Hover over or tap any red nose on the map to explore our partner units:
The 11 Units We Visit
11 UnitsHover over any unit to highlight its map location, or click to visit their official site:
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Royal Hospital for Children & Young People Edinburgh • Children's HospitalWebsite ↗
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Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow • Children's HospitalWebsite ↗
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Ninewells Hospital Dundee • HospitalWebsite ↗
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Rachel House Kinross • Children's Hospice (CHAS)Website ↗
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Robin House Balloch • Children's Hospice (CHAS)Website ↗
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Beatlie School Livingston • ASN SchoolWebsite ↗
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Sunndach Livingston • Respite Care CentreWebsite ↗
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Oaklands School Edinburgh • ASN SchoolWebsite ↗
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Royal Blind School Edinburgh • Specialist SchoolWebsite ↗
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Calareidh Edinburgh • Respite Care CentreWebsite ↗
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Fairview School Perth • ASN SchoolWebsite ↗
Clowndoctors in Hospitals
Bringing joy, distraction, and gentle play to paediatric wards, oncology units, intensive care, and surgical recovery across Scottish children's hospitals.
Clowndoctors in the Classroom
Engaging pupils with complex physical, sensory, and cognitive needs through multi-sensory clowning and empowering expressive interaction.
