We are excited to share some incredible news. Thanks to the generous support of the People’s Postcode Trust, Heart & Minds has been granted an amazing award of £23,400 to support our Clowndoctor visits to Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Children and Young People.
Here is why the People’s Postcode Trust decided to support our Clowndoctors:
The Project
Our mission is to bring joy, comfort, connection, and emotional support to the young people at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh. Our team of professionally trained therapeutic clown artists work in pairs and have a wealth of skills and experience. Together, we will deliver twice-weekly Clowndoctor visits to children facing challenging times in the hospital.
These Clowndoctor visits create a world of fun, distraction, and laughter for children with poor mental health, in treatment rooms, oncology, neonatal, and critical care wards. Hospital stays can be intrusive and frightening, leading to isolation and loss of self-esteem. Through play, we empower the young people to regain control and better cope with their experiences.
Our creative child-centred interactions include music, song, improvisation, rhythm, slapstick, puppetry, storytelling, and physical theatre. We collaborate closely with the hospital’s medical and care staff to ensure the visits meet each child’s unique needs.
Why is this Programme needed?
In hospital children can feel isolated are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Our joyful interactions significantly improve the mental well-being of these children. We have received tremendous support and feedback from parents and hospital staff, all attesting to the positive impact of our Clowndoctors.
What difference will this Award make to our community:
Thanks to the People’s Postcode Trust, we can continue to improve the mental well-being of the children. This can be affected by being away from familiar surroundings, family, and friends, while facing intrusive and sometimes painful procedures. Clowndoctors can alleviate this. Our programme offers a safe space for play, creativity, and joy. Laughter, often referred to as the best medicine, strengthens immune systems, uplifts moods, and reduces pain and stress.
We couldn’t be more grateful for this incredible support, and we can’t wait to make an even greater impact on the lives of these remarkable children. Watch this space for updates on how their continued support is making a world of difference. Thank you, People’s Postcode Trust, for believing in the power of laughter and healing!
This project has been made possible by an award from People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
