The Jest for Joy initiative aims to bring joy and inspiration to the British Columbian Health Care System through the integration of clown-doctoring. The goal of this development is to improve and focus on the wellness of patients in health care settings through wit, physical theatre and song. As importantly, clown-doctors will create a greater sense of well-being for the staff and families in the chosen ward. Clown-doctors create the opportunity to focus on the full humanity of a patient, allowing the other players on the health care team to focus on the illness. Having clown-doctors in health care facilities throughout the Lower Mainland will result in a transformational bridge between Health Care, Humanity, and Performing Arts.
To introduce clown-doctors to the Lower Mainland, Jest for Joy will be conducting an eight to ten week pilot project in a health care facility. The project will be inviting the selected hospital or hospice to be the host location for the initial pilot project phase, and with success, will request donation and sponsorship from both public and private sectors. Jest for Joy is working in affiliation with Fools for Health in Windsor Ontario, a well-established and esteemed clown-doctoring non-profit organization.
The Jest for Joy initiative aims to provide the following:
2 professional clown-doctors working in conjunction with the health care staff of a selected
ward on a weekly schedule, providing service at a minimum of once a week, 2-4 hours per shift.
Therapeutic humour through the use of song, improvisation, wit and physical theatre
Performance based on the “empty pockets clowning” premise
A strict adherence to hospital guidelines, procedures and protocol
Distraction from troubling and/or frightening procedures
A reduction of tension and frustration for patients, families and medical staff
Education and awareness towards the use and benefits of humour in health care
An optimistic and hopeful outlook and approach to hospital care
The development and edification of the value of a smile
An honourable and sustained service following in the footsteps of the successful Fools for Health organization of Windsor, Ontario
A celebration of life for adults and children alike
Spirit Clowning - A Celebration of Life
Spirit Clowning is a branch of Jest for Joy that promotes Educational/Outreach opportunities in Red Nose. Spirit Clowns are non-professional performers who are facilitated by a professional clown-doctor to promote joy and inspiration through Red Nose work. This intensive culminates in a celebration of life with a selected community group, performed by the Spirit Clowns.
Leadership students from JN Burnett Secondary School in Richmond have had work-shopping in the art of Spirit Clowning over the past 2 years, both in a classroom setting, and in preparation and presentation for the Richmond School District Leadership Conference. As well, a selected group of Spirit Clowns from JN Burnett Secondary School participated in a Humanitarian Outreach trip to the Dominican Republic in July 2008, which included Spirit Clowning in an orphanage facilitated by Jest for Joy’s Founder, Allyson J Grant.
As Spirit Clowns, participants will:
gain a new-found respect for and connection with humanity
gain self-confidence, body-awareness, and leadership skills
heighten their sense of creative self-expression
be challenged to take on the responsibility of creating
a connection with strangers
develop artistic performance skills
create a “spark of light” with and for those around them
participate in a celebration of life performance with other spirit clowns for a selected community group
develop peer support, communication and trust
Students who participate will earn a Red Nose and a
Spirit Clowning participation certificate from Jest for Joy.
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