Creative Health
At Hocus Pocus Theatre, we believe in the power of play, laughter and imagination to heal, connect and transform. Our Creative Health work brings the artistry of clowning, storytelling and sensory play into healthcare and community settings — offering moments of joy, empathy and human connection where they are most needed.
Through partnership, training and artist development, we’re helping to shape a new era of Healthcare Clowning across the East of England.
Our Approach
Our creative health work is built on core values that underpin everything we do:
Person-centred practice — meeting each participant with care, curiosity and respect.
Trauma-informed approaches — creating safe, compassionate and flexible spaces for creativity.
Collaboration and partnership — working alongside health, care and community organisations to bring art where it’s most needed.
Professional artistry — ensuring artists are well-trained, supported and continually developing their practice.
CLOWN ROUND - SUFFOLK ARTLINK
Clown Round — Suffolk Artlink
Clown Round brings fun, laughter and distraction to children and families in hospitals, hospices, and refugee settings. The Clown Doctors share clowning, storytelling, music, magic and circus skills — creating space for imagination, resilience and relief within clinical environments.
Lucy Enskat has worked as a Healthcare Clown for Suffolk Artlink since 2014 and held the role of Project Development Officer (2022–23). Under her Hocus Pocus Theatre banner, she supported the recruitment and training of new Healthcare Clowns, expanding the team through an Arts Council England-funded programme. This work strengthened the region’s capacity to deliver high-quality, compassionate creative care.
Looking Ahead
Hocus Pocus Theatre is proud to be part of a growing movement of artists championing creative health and healthcare clowning across the East of England. With over a decade of experience, a highly skilled team, and deep partnerships across arts and care sectors, we are helping to shape the future of this work in our region.
Our aim is to continue expanding access to high-quality, compassionate creative practice in healthcare and community contexts — building a sustainable legacy of play, connection and imagination for all.
Clown Through Mask — Sue Morrison Residency
In April 2023, Hocus Pocus Theatre hosted world-renowned Canadian clown teacher Sue Morrison for Clown Through Mask — a two-week professional development residency at The Seagull Theatre, in collaboration with Suffolk Artlink.
This rare opportunity deepened the team’s understanding of authentic presence, emotional intelligence and relational play — vital tools for working in sensitive healthcare contexts. The training reinforced our commitment to continuous professional development and to embedding reflective, trauma-informed practice at the heart of everything we do.
Documentary Photos by Bec Austin
