Hearts & Minds is the home of the Clowndoctors and the Elderflowers, Scotland's healthcare clowns.
Professional fools who bring joy, offer meaningful connection, and enhance well-being. We co-create unique, playful encounters with people in the here and now, whatever their circumstance. Find us in paediatric healthcare, dementia care, and additional support needs schools.
Healthcare Clowning is an artform that invites empathy, compassion and curiosity. It’s not just for laughs!
To see how we work, our upcoming events and easy ways to spread more joy, please sign up to our quarterly newsletter
over
100000
visits
From
0-105
years
We can reduce
23%
hospital stays by
We work across Scotland where ever our funding allows.
As a charity we rely on donations, contracts and sponsorships to deliver all our work. Would you like to see us in your hospitals, schools and care homes? Please contact us for details.
Healthcare clowning is an internationally recognised performing arts-in-health practice. We are members of the European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organisations (EFHCO) and the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST).
We champion Scotland’s Play Charter. Our work is accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities, celebrating diversity and promoting equal participation.
We support that Children and young people have the right to play under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Who are the Clowndoctors?
Open-hearted characters recognisable by their yellow coats and red noses. Clowndoctors create invitations to interact and connect wherever they go.
Who are the Elderflowers?
A family of empathetic and playful visitors.
Elderflowers connect with people in the here and now.
