At The Theodora Children's Charity, we believe that all children deserve laughter. Our Giggle Doctors visit children in hospitals, hospices and specialist care centres across England. By combining music, play, magic and storytelling these professional performers bring magical moments to brave children in challenging times. The children we work with have a wide range of complex needs and healthcare requirements. Some will visit the hospital as outpatients for treatments such as dialysis or day surgery procedures. Others can spend weeks or even months in hospital. The clinical and serious nature of the environment can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. Our Giggle Doctor programme improves children’s experience of hospital, reduces stress and anxiety, increases opportunities for play and improves wellbeing. Giggle Doctors are specialist performers who are highly trained to bring music, magic and laughter to children in hospital. Being ill and away from friends and family, can mean that they miss out on opportunities for play and social interaction, damaging their self-esteem and communication skills. Children already face so many challenges in hospital, but our Giggle Doctors ensure that boredom isn’t one of them! 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 during her regular visits. Theodora inspired her sons to bring magical moments to all children in hospitals, hospices and specialist care centres.
