Our activities

The hospitals involved in the Theodora Children’s Trust programme receive weekly visits from clown doctors; and the specialist centre receives monthly visits. The clowns begin with an impromptu session in the outpatients department and then move on to the wards, where they are briefed by the nurses on who would benefit most from a visit. They then wait to be invited by the child before proceeding. The clown doctors use their improvisation and entertainment skills to involve each patient as much as possible, ensuring that the child is not confined to the role of spectator but can participate in the magic and the activities. With tact and sensitivity, the clown doctors also involve the families and the medical staff in these sessions.

Regular visits from clown doctors have been shown to have many positive effects, not only on the children, but also their families and the hospital staff. The laughter that follows the clown doctors is uplifting and cathartic. Their presence is stimulating and enhances the overall mood, thus raising the self-esteem and confidence of the children. The clown doctors allow the child to escape from some of the bewildering realities of their situation into a magical fantasy world. They can be an invaluable help to hospital staff, and they build relationships that support families and help them cope with their experiences in hospital.