Hearts & Minds

Hearts & Minds use the art of therapeutic clowning to bring joy and laughter to vulnerable people living with dementia. The Royal Caledonian Charities Trust has been a longstanding supporter of their work, most recently through a £3,000 grant in 2021.

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The Elderflowers present themselves as an extended family of siblings and cousins. They wear clothes that hark back to a previous generation and carry props such as ukuleles, hats, maps and photographs that encourage discussion and interaction.

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Hearts & Minds work in close partnership with the medical teams who care for people living with dementia. Their referrals mean that the charity can create interventions which are specifically tailored to suit the ladies and gentlemen who will benefit most from their support, based on their personality, condition and situation. Respecting the dignity of participants is a central principal of the Elderflowers programme.

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The effects of lockdown and COVID19 have significantly increased feelings of isolation, anxiety and fear among their service users. The Elderflowers are delivering a hybrid programme of live virtual and on-site, made to measure visits for residential healthcare units and care homes. Elderflowers Online helps ladies and gents living with dementia to continue to enjoy moments of connection, joy and laughter.

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