Edinburgh practitioners ‘clown around’ to help children smile

Online fun helps support disabled kids whose services have been cancelled
Sixteen-year-old Tia Timoney says the calls from the clowndoctors are 'fabulous'.Sixteen-year-old Tia Timoney says the calls from the clowndoctors are 'fabulous'.
Sixteen-year-old Tia Timoney says the calls from the clowndoctors are 'fabulous'.

Edinburgh care staff are ‘clowning around’ to bring joy to children with additional needs during the pandemic.

Clowndoctors are arts practitioners, dressed in yellow coats and red noses, trained to work with vulnerable children in the Capital.

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The colourful care workers put on personal comedy shows for children in hospital beds and care centres, bringing joy and fun to their often medicalised lives.

The performers create clown characters who find excitement in the smallest things and help disabled children get involved in activities.The performers create clown characters who find excitement in the smallest things and help disabled children get involved in activities.
The performers create clown characters who find excitement in the smallest things and help disabled children get involved in activities.

While lockdown has put a temporary stop to performances the children’s favourite characters have been delivering virtual meets which have been a huge hit with the youngsters.

Inclusive play centre The Yard, whose regular services have been closed since March, have teamed up with the clowns from Hearts & Minds charity to provide online clown calls to their members.

The clowns' phones children and teens throughout the week for a session of cheerful jokes and gentle comedy to cheer them up during lockdown.

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Through online play sessions the performers create clown characters who find excitement in the smallest things and help disabled children get involved in activities.

Parents say that these classes have provided variety to their children’s daily routine which has helped brighten up their lockdown experience.

Sixteen-year-old Tia Timoney has missed attending her teen club at The Yard since the pandemic hit but says her weekly clown calls are ‘fabulous’.

Tia’s mum Angela Timoney added the clowndoctors provide her daughter with something to look forward to each week.

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She said: “She thinks the clowndoctors are funny and make her laugh and cheer her up. She says “they are fabulous darling”. It is so nice to have something just for Tia. She looks forward to it.”

Angela added that the weekly entertainment has also helped her cope while so many support services are closed.

She said: “There’s just the two of us so I felt someone else was sharing and helping.”

Digital Services Lead at The Yard Dan Fraser said, “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the clowndoctors again.

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“They are helping to bring smiles, laughter and joy to our children and families during these difficult times.

“This is a valuable third sector partnership for The Yard, which we have extended until the end of October, as it is supporting so many disabled children and their families across Edinburgh.”

Hearts & Minds CEO Rebecca Simpson said: “Hearts & Minds is delighted to be working with The Yard again. Together we are bringing the magic of the Clowndoctor visits into the homes of children and families, providing opportunities for play, fun and positive interaction.

“Although our visits are virtual, The Yard and Hearts & Minds are working hard to place human connection at the heart of the visits, and to make them as personalised as possible for the children taking part.

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“It is not possible for many children and families to visit The Yard in person at the moment, therefore we are extremely happy to support this service and play our part in enabling people to still feel connected and supported.”

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