Celebrating 25 Years • 2001–2026

25 years of The Elderflowers

2026 marks 25 years since the pioneering Elderflower Programme was developed in collaboration with the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling — becoming the first healthcare clowning programme in Europe created specifically for people living with dementia.

For a quarter of a century, our Elderflower family has brought warmth and authentic human connection to older people in hospitals and care homes across Scotland — always seeing the person beyond the diagnosis.

2009 archive portrait of the Elderflower family
Early archive photo of five Elderflower ladies with a vintage suitcase and guitar
Early archive photograph of an Elderflower sharing a smile at Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Early archive photograph of two Elderflowers sharing a laugh and a cuppa with a gentleman
Archive photograph of two Elderflowers arm-in-arm with a gentleman at New Craigs Hospital
Archive photograph of Elderflowers singing with a lady in a care home
Swipe stack • Tap photo to zoom

Elderflower Chats

Conversations, deep dives, and reminiscences from 25 years of The Elderflowers.

In Conversation with Magdalena Schamberger

Two Elderflowers embracing warmly in studio portrait
Two Elderflowers linking arms and dancing in studio portrait

“When you can suspend the need for knowledge and reality and really let yourself in for the person, I think that's really where person-centered care starts. And I think healthcare clowns are big contributor to person-centered care within healthcare locations, but it's a love for the people which still continues.”

— Magdalena Schamberger

Pack a suitcase, dust off your wellies, and pop the kettle on — The Elderflowers are going on Tour...

Thanks to the organisations who support our work