SOCCORSO CLOWN
Performing arts organization at the service of the Community
10 years
besides the hospitlalized children, their families
and the hospital staff
Soccorso Clown, Società Cooperativa Sociale O.N.L.U.S.
Via Leone X, 8 - 50129 Firenze
www.soccorsoclown.it
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E_6bSHm9CM
Email: info@soccorsoclown.it
Soccorso Clown Background
In 1995, the New York Big Apple Circus’ Clown Care Unit (CCU), had delegated Vladimir Olshansky, to introduce the first professional Hospital Clown project in Italy. Mr. Olshansky had worked for 15 years, as one of the supervisors of CCU’s New York Presbyterian Hospital Clown program. Together with his brother Yury, an actor-director, and Caterina Turi-Biccochi they had formed “ Clown Aid “ Association and created the first European Training Project for professional hospital clowns, which was recognized and financed by the European Social Fund and subsequently supported by the Region of Tuscany, the Italian State Theatrical Organization (ETI), the Ministry of Labor and the Meyer Pediatric Hospital in Florence.
The training was launched 1998. In 1999, at the end of the one year training, Vladimir Olshansky, our Artistic Director his brother Yury the General Director and Caterina Turi-Bicocchi, our current Administrative Director, founded Soccorso Clown in its current form.
Soccorso Clown - the National Service
Soccorso Clown is the national service of hospital clowns – experienced Professional actors -not volunteers-with specialties ranging from music to magic, trained to apply their skills to the hospitals needs. This kind of assistance promotes the health benefits of laughter and humor to hospitalized children and provides a powerful partner to traditionalmedical therapy. Exposure to the program helps reduce the stress, fear and isolation a child experiences when undergoing constant physical therapy and enduring intensive, often painful medical procedures.
It enables the patients and their families to obtain a positive attitude towards the illness and receive much needed support, improving their quality of life, and therefore the quality of life of all the community.
A New Profession
The synthesis of classical circus and theater forms the base of a new profession and provides the necessary requisites for a new type of training. Created by Soccorso Clown and its artistic director Vladimir Olshansky, The first European Training Project for professional hospital clowns, was recognized and financed by European Social Fund and supported by the Region of Tuscany, Italian State Theatrical Organization (ETI) Ministry of Labor and the Meyer pediatric hospital of Florence.
The birth of this new profession founded a new type of performing arts aimed to become a part of the hospital life. This professional approach and qualification distinguishes Soccorso Clown from other services such as visiting clowns, animators, and volunteers.
In 2007/2008, Soccorso Clown visited over 40,000 hospitalized children.
The standard of work
Soccorso Clown introduced the training and work standards for professional hospital clowns in Italy . Its methods are based on the model of Clown Care Unit of the Big Apple Circus, which successfully operates in the USA for the last fifteen years and is the guide for a new profession all around
the world.
How Soccorso Clown works
Soccorso Clown introduces into the environment the laughter and entertainment that are natural components of everyday life.
Always at the request of the child:
enter the room of the child only if they are invited. This may be the only case in the child's hospital life when the child can decide for himself what is better for him or her.
Provides relief from stress
associated with fear and suffering. helps to reduce pain and the use of medicine and brings moments of joy five times a week, forty-four weeks a year, directly to the bedsides of these children who are critically or chronically ill.
Assist the therapy
The medical staff and the therapists noted very often, that the "visit" of the hospital clown is what the child needs during a long painful procedure, or during intensive physical therapy.
"Heal" family members and medical staff, too.
hospital clowns create a climate of humor and ease, involving in their "games" both the families of the patients and the staff.
In harmony with the others
Animators, visiting-clowns, volunteers, all have their function in the life of the hospital. The service of Soccorso Clown, has its own particular way of operation, its own method of intervention and its proper place in the hospital, working in harmony with all the others.
Quality Assurance
Our methodology and operational standards are unique and are approved by regional and medical authorities in Tuscany, Lazio, and elsewhere throughout Italy.
All hospital clowns of Soccorso Clown work under the strict supervision of its Artistic Director and his collaborators, who are responsible for the quality and security of the work. All hospital clowns meet for monthly rehearsal, revisions and "emotional hygiene."
In order to ensure quality service a daily written report is written, and a regular status meeting is held between the hospital clown staff and Soccorso Clown’s directors.
Parents and hospital staff are regularly asked to assess our performance and offer any comments on the program, to ensure a continued high level of service.
Where We Operate
Soccorso Clown has successfully implemented its programs in a number of hospitals throughout Italy.
Our programs are currently running at:
Policlinico Umberto I, Rome
Meyer Hospital, Florence
Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena
ASL 4 Hospital, Prato
Ospedale di Massa
In the autumn of 2007 Soccorso Clown presented their program in Russia, sponsored by the Italian Institute of Culture of Moscow and the Centre for the Lyric Songs of Galina Visnevskaja.
The program was introduced into several prestigious hospitals in Moscow, including:
Oncology Center Blochin
Pediatric Radiology Centre
Center of Endocrinology
Neurosurgical Centre, Burdenko
Acknowledgements
A Pediatric Journal study conducted in 2005 concluded: “Soccorso Clown’s hospital clowns reduce anxiety in patients by fifty per cent”.
In 2007/2008, Soccorso Clown visited over 40,000 hospitalized children.
Our Testimonials page includes some articles of recognition for Soccorso Clown’s programs from our hospital colleagues.
Research and Recognition
Several recent studies have testified to the positive effects of Soccorso Clown’s programs on patients, families and carers alike. Various theses and dissertations have been written and research has been conducted on the collaboration between the clowns and hospital staff, as well as the relationships with parent associations and our participation at national and international conventions. Some milestones in Soccorso Clown’s history are listed below.
2006 | Soccorso Clown awarded, along with other partners and sponsors, the inter-regional grant “Clowns - the Medicine of Laughter”. The grant allowed for the creation of the first work ethics code and manual for this profession. Requested to oversee the process and train 25 new hospital clowns. Regions involved included Tuscany, Lazio, Liguria, Piedmont, Calabria and Sardinia. |
| 2005 | Publication in Pediatric Journal stating that Soccorso Clown’s hospital clowns reduce anxiety in patients by 50%. |
| 2004 | An agreement between Soccorso Clown and the Region of Tuscany made because of our outstanding service and protocols of the hospital clown initiative at the hospice of Azienda Sanitarie Toscane. A Professional Code of Ethics was created based on the work of Soccorso Clown, a first for the profession in any country. Any structure in Tuscany that uses clown therapy must either use Soccorso Clown or use clowns who have studied with Soccorso Clown. |
| 2002 | Recognition of Excellent and Outstanding Work by president of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeli Ciampi. Hospital clown Giovanna Pezullo chosen as one of three finalists for |
| 2001 | Italian representatives to First International |
| 1999 | Soccorso Clown formed out of Clown Aid. Special blessing and appreciation from His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Recognition and commendation from Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States. Awarded the prestigious |
| 1994 | Clown Aid Association established in collaboration with Meyer Hospital, Florence and supported by European Social Fund. |
Testimonials
Following are some kind testimonials from our clients. We pride ourselves on establishing and maintaining a close working relationship with all institutions with whom we work.
"Soccorso Clown demonstrated to be of vital importance to our children hospitalized in the oncology and all other paediatric divisions... it must be intensified."
Benilde Mauri, President, Parents Association of Pediatric Oncology
Gemelli Hospital, Rome
"There was in our ward a thirteen years girl with AIDS in its terminal phase.... I had explained the delicate situation to Soccorso Clown and overcame the resistance of my colleagues... then the hospital clowns visited the girl. They have been able to invoke in her such serenity and hilarity, and this joy was repeated during all the following visits. And against all predictions her condition become better and it is even become possible to send her home....."
Dr. Guido Castelli-Gattinaro, Operative Unit of AIDS
Hospital of Bambino Gesu, Rome
“I have never witnessed or heard anything similar. The conditions of the Albanese girl where grave such that is was impossible to administer anesthesia or deep/ complete sedation as would have been usually done in most cases ... We must keep in mind that bone biopsy is one of the most painful operations which there is, so we attempted to solve the problem asking the ‘hospital clowns’ of Soccorso Clown to see if they could help. The outcome was extraordinary! The girl who did not speak any Italian and nor had seen a clown in her life got so involved with their act that she smiled and laughed. Throughout the 25-minute intervention she did not exhibit any fear, or physical or psychological discomfort. She never complained or exhibited on any pain whatsoever!”
Dr. Andrea Messeri, Chief of Pain Therapy Unit
Meyer Hospital, Florence
“Soccorso Clown is different and unique from all other services which were proposed to us... Their professionalism and the unique way they work with children and medical staff, created a extremely positive atmosphere and experience... one of the most intelligent programs I've encountered in all my years of working in the hospital.”
Prof. Renato Mastrangelo, Chief of Division of the Pediatric Oncology
Gemelli Universities Clinic, Rome
“Upon their arrival an explosion of joy burst out in our ward... It is scientifically demonstrated that, with reducing stress and fear, the need for medicine decreases... I hope that the experience of Soccorso Clown is destined to continue permanently."
Professor Alberto Vierucci, Chief of Third Pediatric Clinic
Meyer Hospital, Florence
“Soccorso Clown has demonstrated to be of vital importance to our hospitalized children in oncology and other pediatric wards... it must be intensified."
Benilde Mauri. President of the Parents Association of Pediatric Oncology
Gemelli Hospital, Rome
The founders of Soccorso Clown
Vladimir Olshansky (alias "Dottor Bobo") - Artistic Director, Supervisor Hospital Clown
Graduated in 1970 from Advanced Academy of Circus of Moscow. Founded the famous theatre company “Licidei” in St. Petersburg with Slava Polunin and was later the protagonist of the internationally celebrated "Slava Snow Show” at the Old Vic in London and theatres throughout Europe and USA. Moved in 1980 to New York, where he became a supervisor hospital clown, working with New York’s Big Apple Circus’ Clown Care Unit.
In 1997, Vladimir founded Soccorso Clown, in Florence, Italy, with brother Yury and Caterina Turi Bicocchi.
In 2000, he became a "Guest Actor" with Cirque du Soleil.
In 2006, he created the show "Strange Games” (www.vladstrangegames.com) which continues to receive excellent reviews at various international festivals.
Yury Olshansky (alias "Dottor Maisbaglia") – General Director , Supervisor Hospital Clown
Graduated in 1972 from Volker’s Theater Institute. Moved to New York in 1980, where he received his Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from New York University. Yury is a co-founder and General Director of Soccorso Clown.
He has been active in acting, directing and film producing roles and has appeared on television. He has worked with such directors and actors as Paul Mazursky and Robin Williams and Cedric Clapich, and producer Thomas Brown.
Yury has written several screenplays and created “New Practical Technique for Film and Theater, the Complete Guide” for directors, actors and writers, on which he has lectured in the United States and Europe.
Caterina Turi-Bicocchi – Administrative Director
Actress and director. Graduated from “Laboratorio Novo” acting school in Florence, Italy and has a Master’s Degree from the GITIS Theatre Academy of Moscow.
Caterina is a co-founder and Administrative Director of Soccorso Clown.