How it works
When healthcare clowns arrive at a unit, they receive referrals from staff. These include a person’s diagnosis, length of stay, their visitors, communication and support needs, interests and how they are feeling that day.
See how our Healthcare Clowns transform difficult moments to bring calm, joy and connection when it is needed most.
Children
The Clowndoctors work with children and young people in paediatric hospitals and hospices across Scotland.
Dementia Care
The Elderflower family visit people living with dementia in care homes and hospital assessment units.
Schools
The Clowndoctors visit complex additional support needs (ASN) schools and respite centres.
How does it work?
The healthcare clowns work alongside clinical teams to help children and dementia patients:
“I have seen a child go from extreme distress to calm and engaged within minutes of a Clowndoctor arriving. It changes everything—for the child, the family and the clinical team.”
— Dr Fraser Barratt, RHCYP Edinburgh
Feedback from the people we visit, their families and healthcare staff, alongside independent evaluation, shows that the impacts of our work include decreased anxiety, increased communication, an increased sense of self, decreased boredom and improved emotional wellbeing.
“What sets the Clowndoctors apart is the deep responsiveness to each child’s emotional state. This isn’t distraction—it’s emotional attunement.”
— Dr Denise Milne, Evaluation Report, Glasgow Children’s Hospital (2023)
“I love the way you respond to a childs mood individually”
Clowndoctors are not just for laughs. A visit from the Clowndoctors can help reduce your hospital stay by up to 23%
Less than 1.5% of Children and Young People in Scottish Hospitals get to see a Clowndoctor
Our Clowndoctors and Elderflowers are trained healthcare clowns. This means they are professional performers who use clowning techniques such as improvisation, surprises, music, slapstick, celebrating mistakes, rhythm and naivety to create a unique, tailor-made fun visit, just for you.
