Coastal Caring Clowns

The Coastal Caring Clowns Inc. are a
group of happy volunteers, who since
2001 have regularly visited hospitals,
nursing homes, respite care centres
and have participated in a variety of
community events from Caloundra to
Noosa and into the Sunshine Coast
Hinterland.

We teach new clowns the process,
practice and ethics of being a Caring
Clown.

Caring clowning can involve anything from
singing a song, giving a hug, or performing
some clown-like silliness to move someone
into a moment of well being and caring in a
light-hearted and heart-felt way.

We meet monthly to share experiences and
learn. We occasionally have a guest
speaker.

Our ages can range from 24 to 80 years old
but we are all young at heart.

A visit by a caring clown gives permission
for people of all ages to enjoy a sense of
play, where they can feel like a child, not
like a patient.

New members are always welcome.
Come along and join us.

For further information phone:

Christine Rule:
07 5456 2484
President

Gus Guthrie:
07 5448 6066
Vice President

Anne Hardeman-Jones:
07 5479 4561
Activities officer

Fiona Poole:
07 5445 3841
Secretary

Or write to:
Coastal Caring Clowns Inc.
P O Box 1317
Buderim, QLD 4556.

Or Email us at:
Info@coastalcaringclowns.com

The most important word in "Coastal Caring Clowns Inc." is "Caring", the clown
is just the vehicle in which we deliver the care.

Caring clowning is limited in Australia, but is now a big movement in the USA
where it is known as Therapeutic Clowning.

Clowns are considered as "safe" and can often find themselves sharing intimate
moments with patients, staff and visitors in a very short period of time.

Giving of your time to just listen and to acknowledge their situation, share their
pain or just have a good belly laugh is a psychological joy for many. Having a
good laugh is like jogging on the inside, so you can get fit while sitting in a chair
or in bed.

You don't have to be a funny person to be a caring clown. If you have a big
heart, a big smile and a big red nose, then the rest just follows after a little
training.

In a world where loneliness, isolation and boredom are commonplace the
therapeutic benefits of compassion and caring cannot be over-emphasised.