Hearts & Minds

26/08/2026

More smiles are coming to Scotland’s biggest children’s hospital. ❤️

We’re delighted to be doubling our Clowndoctor visits at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow from one day to two days each week.

That means twice as many children and families can experience those all important moments of laughter, imagination and connection during what can be a difficult time.

Read more about the expansion and the difference Clowndoctors can make in hospital in our latest news story https://heartsminds.org.uk/more-hospital-smiles-as-clowndoctors-increase-visits-at-scotlands-biggest-childrens-hospital/



Image: Two Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors stand in a hospital holding a large prescription-style card. The card represents a different kind of prescription: a visit from the Clowndoctors for children and families in hospital, to be taken twice a week.

With an extra ward round each week, Hearts & Minds is bringing more laughter, imagination and connection to children at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, with specially trained Clowndoctors creating moments where children can take the leadA hospital prescription usually comes in the form o...

24/08/2026

When hospital takes away a child's choices, Clowndoctors put them back in charge.

No scripts. No routines. Just extraordinary encounters led by the children who need them most, delivered by Scotland’s Clowndoctors.

Healthcare clowning is much more than making children laugh. When illness and treatment have taken away many of a child's choices, the Clowndoctors create a space where that child is back in charge.

Every encounter is unique. The impact goes beyond the laughter.

Only 1 in 100 children in hospital experience a visit with the Clowndoctors.

We want more children to share these moments of imagination and wonder in hospital.

Can you help?

All donations will go directly to Clowndoctor visits in the hospitals we visit.

https://heartsminds.org.uk/donate/

21/08/2026

Phyllis Logan is inviting you...will you say yes?
Host a Summer Party and support people living with dementia ☀️🧁

It’s wonderfully simple:
Invite friends for a summer party. Simply bring people together and ask them to donate. All money raised will help fund our Elderflowers visits to people living with dementia.

Your Summer Party can be:
• Big or small
• At home, in the garden, at work or in your community
• A one-off gathering or the start of something regular

Click the link to start planning your Summer Party
https://heartsminds.org.uk/summer-tea-party/

12/08/2026

WALK FOR THE CLOWNDOCTORS 🔴
Help more children in hospital have a visit from a Clowndoctor.

SIGN UP NOW for the EDINBURGH Kiltwalk on September 13 and help children in hospital have more visits with the Clowndoctors at Edinburgh Children's Hospital.

Healthcare clowning helps relieve anxiety and aid recovery and wellbeing - support the Clowndoctors and you can make every day a Clowndoctor day for children in hospital 😀

Every step you take whether it is a Wee Wander , Big Stroll or a Mighty Stride will help deliver smiles.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up to walk miles for smiles for Hearts & Minds 😀
Click the link and choose Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors 👍
https://www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/edinburgh

06/08/2026

Summer party for the Elderflowers ☀️
A huge thank you to our wonderful supporter, Helen, who hosted a summer BBQ in her garden to raise funds for Hearts & Minds! 💜

Friends and family came together for a fantastic afternoon of food, fun and fundraising, with donations supporting our Elderflower Programme, which is celebrating 25 years of bringing joy and meaningful moments to people living with dementia.

Helen shared why supporting Hearts & Minds means so much to her:

"Scott and I support Hearts & Minds because we know the difference they make, not just to people living with dementia but to their families too. Scott's mum had dementia, so this charity is very close to our hearts. We're so glad to help."

Thank you to Helen and Scott and everyone who came along and donated. Together, you're helping brighten lives. 🌼

Why don’t you host a summer gathering with friends and family just like Helen did? It can be whatever kind of party you like. Click here for ideas https://heartsminds.org.uk/elderflowers/

04/08/2026

What if your next cup of tea could help brighten someone's day? ☀️☕

Gather your favourite people, bake (or buy!) a cake, pop the kettle on and host a Summer Tea Party for the Elderflowers.

It's a simple way to raise funds that help people living with dementia experience more connection, laughter and joyful moments through our Elderflowers Programme.

There are no rules—host a big celebration or a cosy afternoon with neighbours or a fun tea break with colleagues. However you do it, you'll be helping create brighter days for others.

Our Honorary Elderflower, Phyllis Logan, explains why she loves this campaign, and you'll find plenty of free resources to help make your tea party a success.

Find out more:

https://heartsminds.org.uk/elderflowers/

03/08/2026

The Clowndoctors are back in hospitals this week and can't wait to say hello 😀
Enjoy a little bit of fun with the Clowndoctors and sing-along with them on this favourite children's song.
If you enjoy this song there are more from the Clowndoctors on the bookbug app or website. Great to keep wee ones amused in hospital.
Thanks to our friends Bookbug 🤩
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/songs-and-rhymes/the-clown-doctors-horsey-horsey

We are a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to everyone in Scotland.

31/07/2026

"We were like three friends who had known each other and were having a lovely chat."
Dippsy Elderflower

We are celebrating 25 years of our Elderflower Programme supporting people with dementia and their carers.

Can you help us reach more people who would like to meet the Elderflowers?
£10 would brighten someone's day with their Elderflower friends 😀
https://heartsminds.org.uk/elderflowers/



Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC)