AWARD YEAR
2015
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Good Health & Well-being
KEYWORDS
children's health, hospitals, Wellbeing
COUNTRY
United Kingdom
DESIGNED BY
Theodora Children's Trust
WEBSITE
http://uk.theodora.org/en-gb#.VOsrhlZ2TZ4
Giggle Doctors
Sometimes a smile can make all the difference. Improving well-being through laughter.
The Theodora Children’s Charity was founded in 1994 by two brothers, in memory of their mother, Theodora Poulie. When one of Theodora’s sons was hospitalised for many months as a child, she brought joy, laughter and storytelling to his bedside through her regular visits. Theodora inspired her sons to bring magical moments to all sick and disabled children. To date, the lives of over half a million children have been improved thanks to the Giggle Doctor programme that they created. Giggle Doctors are professional performers, highly trained to work in both the hospital and hospice environments, and with children with disabilities. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring with them a variety of skills: actors, entertainers, magicians, musicians and singers. 21 years on, with a team of 28 trained Giggle Doctors are visiting approximately 30,000 children and their families every year.