Clown Round
Bringing fun, laughter and distraction to children, young people and their families in hospitals and hospices in the East.
Introduction
Clown Doctors visit young people in hospitals and hospices and engage them in clowning, storytelling, music, magic, circus skills and improvisation.
They focus on supporting and empowering young patients and their families during what can be a challenging time, tailoring activities thoughtfully and sensitively, putting the individual at the heart of each interaction.
Clown Round began in 2008 with visits at the James Paget, Ipswich, Colchester and Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals and to EACH Hospices in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Suffolk Artlink’s Clown Round programme is currently taking a sabbatical due to lack of funds.
‘It is always such a joy to spend time with the Clown Doctors. Such wonderful people who continue to make us all smile, time and time again.’
Clowning around on the ward
Clown Round Team
Dr Dizzy Daydream
Dr Buffle and Dr Kimble Curly
After the Rain
What inspired this project?
A stay in hospital can be daunting for anybody, but for children and young people, it can be particularly hard. As well as coping with feelings of discomfort, an individual may be dealing with unfamiliar medical difficulties and the upset of being away from loved ones and the comforts of home.
Clown round aims to increase the wellbeing of patients and their families by providing distraction and a positive focus, helping to: increase happiness and confidence; decrease anxiety and feelings of isolation as well as building resilience and feelings of self-belief.
Over 10,000 children supported since 2010
Related stories
News
The Business of Laughter
Clown Round is back to funny business bringing comfort, distraction, support and fun to children and young people aged 0-18 years old in hospitals across the eastern region.
Find out more
Artists' stories
Clown Through Mask
Suffolk Artlink’s Clown Round team recently participated in a Hocus Pocus Theatre hosted professional development residency ‘Clown Through Mask’ led by world-renowned clown teacher Sue Morrison visiting from Canada.
Find out moreProject contact
Alistair Winch (he/him or they/them)
General Manager
Suffolk Artlink
Units 13 & 14
Malt Store Annex
The Cut, 8 New Cut
Halesworth IP19 8BY
Telephone 01986 873955
Email alistair@suffolkartlink.org.ukÂ
Project partners, funders and supporters
Clown Round is delivered in partnership with EACH, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, James Paget University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. It is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from BBC Children in Need, Arts Council England through Hocus Pocus Theatre, The De La Rue Family Fund through Suffolk Community Foundation, The Ridley Godfrey Foundation and Angel Lodge number 51.
