Dr Spritely is 20!

“Dr Spritely is 20! How amazing and exciting! Back in 2004 there were only six Clowndoctors, working in a handful of hospitals, including the old Glasgow and Edinburgh Children’s Hospitals. 

Over the 20 years here are some of my favourite times:

– Causing deliciously huge amounts of chaos in Rachel House, in particular ‘accidentally’ throwing popcorn everywhere while visiting a young man who wasn’t able to get to the cinema and in difficult times, we were all laughing hard together. Another particular favourite is being sent to the bathroom by a young boy, with Spritely returning with a roll of toilet paper falling out the back of her dress and his surprise, laughter, and joy when he realised, followed by a toilet paper frenzy all over the lounge of Rachel House. 

– our clowndoctors in the classroom programme, being part of establishing our work in schools for children with complex needs and the joy of working with these children and seeing them grow up. I loved a visit with a young woman at Fairview School, where we would run up and down the room in celebration of her movements and words. 

– meeting hundreds of children at Ninewells in Dundee and Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. Particularly being able to never quite get things right for a brother and sister, who try so hard and enjoy the failures of Spritely and her partners. 

– Dr Spritely getting to visit hospitals in Australia and make lots of new Clowndoctor friends there too! 

In 20 years, I’ve seen clowning really grow as an art form and the understanding of how therapeutic clowning can bring huge benefits to children and young people has been exciting. I am so very proud to be Dr Spritely, and so very privileged to meet, play and interact with so many incredible people – children, young people, families, and staff. 

Dr Spritely isn’t hanging up her pigtails yet though! At least another 20 to go!”

Fiona Ferrier aka Dr Spritely