Giggle Doctor visits for children in hospital

At Theodora Children’s Charity, we often work in giggles, smiles, peaceful moments, and meaningful conversations. These can be tricky to measure with numbers, which is why we take a range of approaches to evaluating our impact. We invite children, parents, NHS staff, Giggle Doctors, donors, and many more to tell their stories or complete our surveys and help us see the difference we’re making, and how we can grow this even further. However, we do know that our fabulous Giggle Doctors visited over 16,500 children in 2024 - and we couldn’t have done this without the generosity of supporters like you.

Children needing specialist care and treatment can spend weeks or even months away from friends, school and family, resulting in feelings of boredom and isolation. It also means they can lose opportunities for play which they would otherwise have had in their everyday lives and which are such a vital part of childhood.

The long term positive effects of the Giggle Doctor visits can last for months and even years, helping to bring special memories and magical moments for children and their families in challenging times. Each interaction is unique and tailored to the child’s specific needs, whether that is a story, joke or simply companionship. Giggle Doctors increase opportunities for play, reduce anxiety, raise mood and improve the hospital experience. 

Giggle Doctors also play a significant role in easing the anxiety of parents/carers as they see their child laugh, often for the first time in a long-time.

"I will forever be grateful to the Giggle Doctors who visited my daughter when she was at Bradford Royal Infirmary. She hadn't spoken to any adult (other than family) for over 48 hours and in a short space of time the Giggle Doctors really opened her up, got her out of bed and having some fun. She still talks about the experience today and it definitely helped not just her mental health, but mine as her Mum as well to know that she was starting to feel better in herself. Thank you all for what you do." - Jemma, a parent

Tracy Gibbons, the Lead Play Specialist at St George's Hospital shared, “We have patients that have been admitted for weeks and months. Having the Giggle Doctor visits provided these patients with change and clear enjoyment to their everyday lives, allowed the children to play and feel normal, and their parents to see a happy child that they have lost. 

“It honestly is a visit that is worth its weight in gold and our patients, parents and staff of the play service cannot thank Theodora Children’s Charity enough and the people that fund this to be able to happen.” 

As a small charity your support has an amazing impact on children and their families in hospital, with big ‘knock-on’ effects resulting in lots of indirect benefits for parents, siblings, grandparents and the hospital staff themselves. This year we have positively impacted 33,000 parents, families, NHS staff and children thanks to your help!

From all of us at Theodora's  head office team and our wonderful Giggle Doctors, we are wishing you and your family every happiness this holiday season and a wonderful New Year.