2021 has been another amazing year for Hearts & Minds. Despite all the restrictions we have achieved so much. Never ones to let our red noses rest we have continued to adapt our programmes, welcomed new partners and we are so proud to have returned to live visits in hospitals and schools.
Our Clowndoctors and Elderflowers have delivered more smiles and laughter than ever before. They have connected with 3220 children, families and people living with dementia in virtual and live visits throughout 2021 – an increase of 750 from the previous year.
3220 red nose moments!
Here are some of our favourites.
Clowndoctors on Call – new virtual visits for children in hospitals January 2021 saw the launch of Clowndoctors on Call, an online programme for children in hospital where staff and parents could book visits direct with the Clowndoctors. We were determined to keep our connections with the young people we work with who face tough and anxious times in hospital. What better than a visit with the Clowndoctors direct to their mobile device at their bedside?! The twice weekly visits, kindly supported by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, were an instant hit and were expanded to include children recovering at home. Laughter definitely is the best medicine!
“The clowndoctors mean the world to Tierney and Callum they make them both smile and laugh and to me that's what it's all about putting smiles on their face.” Kelly (Mum)
The Clowndoctors and Elderflowers return to the wards and classrooms! After months of delivering virtual visits the Clowndoctors and Elderflowers were over the moon when they were able to return to the Edinburgh Hospital for Children & Young People and Borders General Hospital in early Summer. These visits were quickly followed by the Clowndoctors going back to school at Oaklands and Royal Blind School and quickly followed by others. There is nothing better than hearing the strum of a ukulele coming down the corridor or laughter as the Clowndoctors try to get through a door to make the children and ladies and gents smile. As restrictions change, the programmes can quickly adapt to virtual visits and one of the positives to come out of this pandemic is that we now run a successful hybrid of in person and virtual visits for both programmes.
CHAS – the partnership continues to grow From the start of lockdown in 2020 Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) were there to discuss the possibility of delivering Clowndoctor visits online as part of their Virtual Hospice. Almost two years on and we are still delivering weekly visits to CHAS families at Robin House and Rachel House. They continue to be a source of joy and laughter for everyone as the visits can also be enjoyed by parents and siblings. It is very much a family affair! We love working with CHAS and delivering events like Clowning S’cool and this year CHAS asked if Dr Cous Cous and Dr Groovy would deliver some surprise Doorstep Visits to children near Robin House. It was a great day, and the young people were very surprised when the knock came on the door and standing at their doorstep were their friends - the Clowndoctors! We look forward to continuing to partner with CHAS in 2022.
“Having 15 minutes to enjoy a hot cup of tea whilst Maggi is engaging in silly play is a big thumbs up from us! We love seeing her laugh & smile when she’s interacting with others 😊 “ Clare (Maggi’s Mum)
Our Work with Unpaid Carers 2021 saw the culmination of our Play Cope Care Project, funded by BUPA UK, which was a combination of workshops and resources that carers could use as they care for their loved ones. This has been important work for Hearts & Minds as we shared several of the techniques that our Elderflowers use when visiting with ladies and gents living with dementia. The carers also found that the workshops were a good, safe space where they could share their experiences and the stress and anxiety they can feel when caring for others. The final stage of the project was an animated film using the voices of carers at Glasgow East End Community Carers sharing their thoughts and hopes. It is a beautiful film, and we hope it helps others to not feel alone when faced with caring responsibilities. WATCH THE FILM HERE
Our New Charity Partners We have been extremely fortunate to have three Corporate Charity Partners select Hearts & Minds as one of their charities to support in 2021/22. Raeburn Training & Raeburn Construction threw themselves into supporting us quite literally by bungee jumping off the 40m high Garry Bridge in Perthshire. In grass skirts! They told us it was fun… we will take their word for it. Their CEO Scott Raeburn and a colleague also cycled the North Coast 500 pedalling miles for smiles. Kirkcaldy based Carnegie Financial Services donned the lycra and trainers and walked 21km around Loch Leven. Led by CEO Richard Hunter, the funds raised will support Clowndoctor visits in the Fife area. Our third partner is Exxon Mobil FEP based at Mossmorran. The Exxon team selected Hearts & Minds to be the recipients of £5000 to support visits to Nourish Support Centre in Kirkcaldy and they have since donated a further £5000 to enable us to work further with the team at Nourish on new initiatives with the Clowndoctors. We thank all our partners for their invaluable support.
“The smiles and laughter that the Clowndoctors bring to the children is just amazing, and the whole family gain some quality time together having fun away from the day-to-day challenges they face” Lynne Scott, CEO, Nourish
Stomping for Hearts & Minds The Kiltwalk has become one of the main fundraising events for charities in Scotland. It is a fun family event, and it was hard when restrictions meant people were unable to gather to do the walk for their charities. However, Sir Tom Hunter organised a Virtual Kiltwalk which took place over a weekend and people could do whatever they wanted as a challenge to raise money and he boosted all money raised by 50%. Hearts & Minds were very lucky to have an amazing group of people called Stomping for Hearts & Minds, led by our CEO Rebecca Simpson, who trained every week and then did the Mighty Stride around Loch Leven raising almost £20k! Amazing! They were joined by other supporters across the central belt who walked, ran, cycled, and sold cakes in their own areas to raise money for our Clowndoctors & Elderflowers.
The Treasure We Seek Project In early 2021 we worked with Wee Culture and Edel Roddy to develop The Treasure We Seek project and produce online materials that enable people to experience new ways to feel connected to those living with advanced dementia. Funded by Dementia Services Development Trust Disruption Award the resources have been inspired by the work of our Elderflowers and their therapeutic arts practice. Two sets of resources, Valuables and Treasure Hunt were created using words, images and stories to help people consider the language they use and how to prepare for a visit and connecting with people in later stages of dementia. The Treasure We Seek Resources are available here
You are amazing! The responses to our appeals for support over the last year have once again surpassed our expectation. Our wonderful friends HeartsandMinds4Flora had their biggest fundraiser yet for our Elderflowers with support from our amazing Ambassador Phyllis Logan. Their support spreads across the world from the United States over to Europe.
Many of you have adopted Clowndoctors, held Summer Fairs, Christmas Fairs, raffles, amazing Club Nights online and in person, walked round lochs, bungee jumped off bridges, and had great fun while raising money for the Clowndoctors and Elderflowers. We are so grateful. You continue to blow us away with all your kindness, generosity, and willingness to give your time to help us deliver smiles.
Thank you from everyone at Hearts & Minds.
