About the Elderflowers
What happens during a visit?
On arrival at a unit, the Elderflowers take specific referrals from staff members who provide an update on each patient as well as basic information about their age, interests and medical condition. Some long-term patients see the Elderflowers on a regular basis during their stay. After receiving referrals and information practitioners make a plan for the day, change into costume and remain in character until the visits are finished. Afterwards, practitioners record successes or developments that arise from each interaction and then feed back to healthcare staff.
What are the benefits?
Elderflowers practitioners aim to make a connection with the individual participant and through this offer:
- An outlet for participants' own creativity and humour
- Mental stimulation
- Participation
- Empowerment
- Sociability
- Accessibility
- Access to the performing arts
- Social inclusion
- Well-being through laughter
- Continuity in care
Who are the Elderflowers?
The Elderflowers are a team of carefully selected professional performers who are specifically trained to work in healthcare environments with vulnerable people. It takes a person with special skills, sensitivity and empathy to become an Elderflower. They need to be able to improvise, sing and play, but also have the experience and maturity to judge the mood and engagement level of each patient and to tailor each visit appropriately. Respecting the dignity of participants is a central principle of the Elderflowers programme.
The Elderflowers present themselves as an extended family of brothers, sisters and cousins. They wear clothes that hark back to a previous generation – colourful tea-dresses, tweed blazers, bow-ties. And they carry props such as ukuleles, hats, maps and photographs that encourage discussion and interaction. Like the Clowndoctors, the Elderflowers characters are gentle, optimistic and naïve and are there to pick up on the interest and mood of each patient and play along accordingly – this can mean playful banter or very gentle, non-verbal interaction.
They do wear a red nose – as it is an international symbol of fun and provides an immediate, visual mark that the Elderflowers are non-threatening and are non-medical staff.
Where we visit
Edinburgh
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Weekly
Borders
Borders General Hospital
Weekly
Edinburgh
Findlay House
Weekly
Clackmannan
County Hospital
Weekly
Dunfermline
Queen Margaret’s Hospital
Fortnightly
Paisley
Dykebar Hospital
Monthly
Greenock
Ravenscraig Hospital
Monthly
We would like to visit many more places, much more frequently – but this is dependent on securing funding.
How are we funded?
Hearts & Minds is a registered charity and operates an ongoing fundraising campaign in order to continue to provide the Elderflowers programme to participating units. At present much of our funding is from charitable trusts and foundations, with the remainder from a variety of sources including the Scottish Government, the NHS, Creative Scotland, local authorities, businesses and individuals.
If you would like to know more or would like to make a donation follow the links below!
Can I become a Elderflower?
We get asked this all the time! I takes a special person to be a Elderflower – you must have professional acting or clowning experience and experience working with vulnerable people or children Professional performers with a minimum of five years performance experience who would like to be considered as Clowndoctors/Elderflowers may want to consider any of the following teachers for Clowning training (this list is not comprehensive):
- Pierre Byland, Switzerland: www.burlesk-center.ch
- Philippe Gaulier, Paris, France: www.ecolephilippegaulier.com
- Jacques Lecoq school, Paris, France: www.ecole-jacqueslecoq.com/index_uk.htm
- Jos Houben, Paris
- Members of Theatre de Complicite, London: and abroad
- Angela de Castro, London: www.contemporaryclowningprojects.com/noflash/who_dc.htm
- Tim Licata/Ian Cameron, Plutot la Vie Theatre Company, plutotlavie@blueyonder.co.uk
As well as a great sense of fun, maturity and sensitivity are a must. If you would like to send us your CV please contact enquiries@heartsminds.org.uk or check our News section for current vacancies.
