Celebrating 15 years of giggles at Bradford Royal Infirmary

Since 2009, Giggle Doctors have been visiting Bradford Royal Infirmary, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to bring joy and laughter to children and families. Every Thursday, the Giggle Doctors bounce onto the wards to combine music, play, magic and storytelling to bring joy, laughter and magical moments to children when they need it most.

Children admitted to hospital may require regular attendance as a result of surgery, treatment or painful procedures, so for them the hospital experience can be very distressing and frightening. Giggle Doctors work alongside the exceptional Play Team at Bradford Royal Infirmary to help reduce stress and anxiety, create opportunities for play, and improve children’s hospital experience.

Jemma, a parent expressed “I will forever be grateful to the Giggle Doctors who visited my daughter when she was at Bradford Royal Infirmary. In a short space of time the Giggle Doctors really opened her up, got her out of bed and having some fun. She still talks about the experience today and it definitely helped not just her mental health, but mine as her Mum as well to know that she was starting to feel better in herself.” – Jemma

In 2023, the Giggle Doctors brought joy and laughter to 1,368 children, and this year they hope to visit even more. The celebrations on the 21^st November marked a wonderful 15 -year partnership between Theodora Children’s Charity and Bradford Royal Infirmary, having worked together to transform children’s experience in hospital and provide vital opportunities for play for over 16,831 children.

Kay Rushforth, Associate Director of Nursing for Children and Neonatal Services at Bradford Royal Infirmary told us “The Giggle Doctors are wonderful. The children love to see them. They make them laugh and at a time when they need to recover in hospital laughter is the best medicine. Please keep up the great work you are truly loved.”

Bradford Hospital’s Charity kindly donated to Theodora Children’s Charity this year, helping fund Giggle Doctor visits for children and families at Bradford Royal Infirmary. It is also thanks to supporters from local Rotary clubs and groups, who have donated to Theodora Children’s Charity over the years, making these magical Giggle Doctor moments possible.

Lisa Williams, Head of Fundraising at Bradford Hospitals Charity shared, “At Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, we are proud to support the incredible work of the Giggle Doctors, who bring smiles, laughter, and a sense of normalcy to children during what can be a difficult time in hospital. Their magic and play provide not only moments of joy but also real comfort and relief for young patients and their families. It’s a joy to witness the transformative impact they have on children’s experiences at Bradford Royal Infirmary.”