By Ellen Blessington | Senior Community and Communications Fundraiser
At the Theodora Children's Charity we help children living with illness, disability and serious health challenges to feel better using the proven power of laughter. Our vision is to contribute to the wellbeing of children in the 21 hospitals, 3 hospices and 2 specialist care centres we visit across England. We do this by providing visits from professional performers who have been trained to work in a medical environment called Giggle Doctors.
By combining music, play, magic and storytelling our 33 Giggle Doctors bring joy and laughter to brave children in challenging times. From Dr Bananas to Dr Yoho, our Giggle Doctors wear their very own 'doctor coats', which represents their character, and spend time one to one with the children. Our Giggle Doctors create opportunities for children to play and interact through a range of musical, magical and fun activities. During their visits our Giggle Doctors aim to, reduce stress and anxiety, increase opportunities for play and improve children’s well-being.
How your support helps children in hospital
Our Giggle Doctors have worked incredibly hard this past year to continue to virtually bring joy, laughter and magical moments to children in hospital. We are pleased to share that we have had over 240 Virtual Visits and Giggle-a-Grams since launching in October with children receiving care, recuperating at home or self-isolating.
Over the last few months our Giggle Doctors have started a gradual return to visiting children in person once again, and we are delighted to share with you some pictures from their visits. Dr Geehee has visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and spent the afternoon having fun with children in the wards, and families, as well as nurses, were delighted to see her back!
"Charlie’s face lights up when he sees the Giggle Doctors, and you can see he forgets for a while that he’s having treatment. Having gone so long where the Giggle Doctors weren’t on the wards, they make so much effort with every child in the hospital (and adults) and bring so many smiles to faces. Charlie’s mind is instantly taken away from what he’s facing in hospital.
They are silly and fun, just what children like. They are so friendly and kind, very approachable and make such a difference to treatment days. Charlie spots a Giggle Doctor from the other end of the corridor and makes sure he gets their attention...one week, Dr Dotty and Charlie were daring each other to do silly things and had parents and nurses in fits of laughter. Amazing people doing an amazing thing that children, and families, will never forget." - Kirsty, Charlie's mum
It is thanks to supporters like you that we are able to continue reaching children and their families during challenging times, and help a child experience fun, play and laughter at a time when it is needed most.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about our work, please feel free to email ellen.blessington@theodora.org
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