The healthcare system is under pressure, and the time for care and presence is often limited. In this context, hospital clowns play an important role – they create security and can ease a difficult situation for both the child and the family.

The hospital clowns have a professionalism that makes both healthcare staff and families feel secure. They have been a regular part of the country's children's departments for many years and since 2016 also in child and adolescent psychiatry, where they create a space for the patients.

– The hospital clowns manage to be present in the moment in a truly fantastic way. They sense what the family and child need, and with empathy, humor, and play, they are able to create lightness in a difficult situation, explains program and development manager Cecilie Dinesen.

The association has 70 trained clowns who annually visit children's departments across the country. But the need is growing, and therefore more are needed.

– We are experiencing an increasing demand, and with this support, we can ensure that even more children benefit from our visits and the positive effect hospital clowns have on their well-being, says Cecilie Dinesen.

A survey conducted by Danske Hospitalsklovne in 2023 shows that 85 percent of healthcare staff in the country's children's departments see the hospital clowns as a relevant and valuable partner in working with hospitalized children.

The training to become a hospital clown lasts one and a half years and combines professional workshops with practical training in hospitals.

– We place great emphasis on our clowns being well-trained. We are dealing with vulnerable families, and it is important that the clowns can collaborate with the professional staff, says Cecilie Dinesen.

The hospital clowns are primarily funded by private donors, foundations, and businesses.