European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organisations general assembly 2025

From October 8th-10th, our Co-Artistic Director Lucy McGreal attended the European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organisations general assembly meeting in Paris. The European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organisations (efhco) is a non-profit federation established in 2011 to protect and support professional clown work in healthcare environments across Europe. efhco was founded by eight professional healthcare clown organizations across Europe and has since grown to a strong, growing federation with 21 member organisations from 17 European countries. Hearts & Minds were one of the founding organisations, led by Magdalena Schamberger, and this year she was announced as an ambassador for efhco during the general assembly.

Lucy joined 20 other organisations in Paris, Hosted by Le Rire Médecin. Over the three days, healthcare clown organisations from across Europe gathered to share knowledge, strengthen practices, and celebrate the work of a healthcare clown. Keynote speakers included clinical psychologists, discussing diversity, equality & inclusion within healthcare clowning from Paris and Portugal.  Lucy took part in a practical session about coaching for artists, which is always an interactive way to engage with other Artistic Directors and bring back learning to the team. There was a chance to hear about the work other organisations were doing and opportunities to look at how we could learn from each other and initiate conversations about future exchanges, where members of our team could visit other efhco members and bring back learnings to their peers.

We are honoured to be part of this federation and the general assembly, but our relationship with efhco continues year throughout the year in discussions, planning and sharing via online meetings.  We also have clowns and administrative staff coming to observe our work from around Europe, which always provides invaluable feedback on our work and helps in the exchange of knowledge for our wider team of performers and office staff.

We are hoping to attend HCIM (Healthcare Clowning International Meeting) next March in Switzerland, HCIM 2026 is where organisations, artists, researchers from around the world gather to reconnect, reflect, and look to explore the future of healthcare clowning. This will include inspiring talks, rich exchange, and practical insights on presence, play, care, and collaboration.