Empowering children to find their voice again

Being in hospital can be a very traumatic and stressful experience, especially for a child, resulting in feelings of fear and anxiety, which can often cause children to withdraw into themselves and feel very lonely.

Whilst we work in giggles, magic, jokes and silliness, our supporters know that the impact the Giggle Doctors have is much more than laughter. Our visits help to empower children and young people, to feel safe in a stressful environment, help children take control of their situation and express their emotions.

Dr Lenton, Paediatric A&E Consultant, recently shared the difference the Giggle Doctors make for families in hospital:

“Dr Muddy Puddle is an absolute asset to our Department. Paediatric A&E is a stressful, busy department which causes a lot of anxiety to children and families. Dr Muddy Puddle brings joy at a difficult time and helps children feel empowered to have a voice and feel safe in this environment. A fantastic resource – we’re really glad Dr Muddy Puddle comes to visit us.”

Isabel, our Programme Manager, recently visited our friends at North Manchester General Hospital and saw Dr Muddy Puddle in action. Isabel got to see how Dr Muddy Puddle helped a young person find their voice again; a visit she will remember for a long time to come.

“Is she speaking?” one nurse mouths to another – the answer is an eager nod and they both raise their arms in celebration. 
They tell me in hushed whispers that the young person who we can hear laughing through the open door – while Dr Muddy Puddle talks about living in a tree – has been refusing to speak. To anyone. 

I’m as excited as they are: I’ve heard this story told many times, but this is my first time witnessing it. 

It’s not uncommon for children in hospital to choose not to speak. It’s a stressful, unfamiliar environment, and very likely they are feeling rotten too. But sometimes, a visit from a Giggle Doctor can cut through this and unlock their voice. 

All Dr Muddy Puddle knew as she approached the room was that this young person was struggling with their mental health and was under one-to-one supervision to keep them safe. The room was in darkness except for a green glow from an emergency exit sign and a little light from the corridor.” 

As she arrives with an actual nest on her head, all it takes for Dr Muddy Puddle to get a giggle from the doorway is saying “Oh yeah, sorry, I live in a tree.” 

 “I like your green spotlight,” she adds, pointing to the glow from the sign. Inside there’s more laughter. “Can I stand in it? I won’t come inside without your consent.” 
Yes, Dr Muddy Puddle can go inside. There’s a posse of nurses crowding around outside now, carefully keeping out of sight but eager to be nearby for this breakthrough moment. 
A student nurse tells me: “People see us coming in our uniforms and we look very official and they don’t want to interact. The Giggle Doctors are clearly fun and different and sometimes that’s just what we need.” 

Giggle Doctors are trained to empower every child and young person they meet and I can think of no better example of how delicate a skill this is. It was ten minutes at most, and it won’t make that young person’s problems vanish, but for that brief time, they found their voice again and that seems to me like a very precious gift to give.
It’s the least visually dramatic encounter I have seen Dr Muddy Puddle have all day – in fact I don’t see it at all, I stay in the corridor with the nurses – but it’s the one I’ll remember for the longest. 

– Isabel Squires, Programme Manager and Impact Measurement Lead