Trauma-informed clowning: Emergency Smile 2026

Creating safe spaces

A central theme of the meeting was the importance of creating supportive environments for children affected by trauma. Trauma often occurs when experiences unfold without time, choice, or the skills needed to process what is happening. In such moments, children lose a sense of agency and control.

Through healthcare clowning, our artists intentionally respond to these elements. They create space by slowing down interactions and allowing moments to unfold at a manageable pace. They introduce pauses, repetition, and predictable patterns, letting things happen again and again, which helps restore a sense of stability and safety.

Choice is gently reintroduced through playful engagement: a child can decide whether to participate, how to respond, or when to step forward or step back. At the same time, artists model emotional regulation, cooperation and creative problem-solving, helping children strengthen coping skills in a natural and non-threatening way.

In this way, safety is not imposed, it is gradually rebuilt. By offering time, space, choice, and supportive interaction, artists help children regain agency and reconnect with a sense of trust and balance.

From theory to practice

While many of the trainings and lectures our artists attend when joining RED NOSES focus on theoretical knowledge about trauma, the annual meeting allows artists to move from understanding to application. Workshops and peer-to-peer sessions provide opportunities to practise concrete techniques, experiment with different approaches and receive feedback. This hands-on learning ensures that our artists are not only informed, but truly prepared for real-world situations.

Inclusion at the core

Another key discussion revolved around inclusion. Children and adults living with trauma are often unintentionally excluded. Sometimes this happens because their energy levels are very high, expressed through hyperactivity or aggression, and sometimes because their energy is very low, leading to withdrawal or limited interaction. These differences can make group dynamics challenging.

Emergency Smile artists are specifically trained to carefully observe and remain attentive to every participant, ensuring that no one is left out. Rather than adapting the tempo of the entire session, which could risk losing the engagement of others, they thoughtfully assess how and when to include each individual, using the appropriate tools and approaches at the right moment.

Moments are also intentionally designed where a child can become ‘the star’, shining in front of peers. These moments of recognition can be deeply empowering and contribute to rebuilding confidence and self-worth.

The power of music

Music was a secondary yet significant focus. Participants explored how sound and rhythm can quickly transform the atmosphere of a space and foster inclusion. Music has a direct emotional impact and can bridge language and cultural differences. At the same time, the team emphasised that using music effectively requires continuous training and conscious practice, which is one of the reasons why this annual meeting is so important for the team.

Sharing knowledge within the team

One of the most important outcomes of this year’s meeting was the decision to systematically share existing knowledge within the team. Many artists already carry valuable experience from diverse missions and backgrounds. By encouraging cross-learning and internal mentorship, Emergency Smile strengthens collective expertise and ensures consistent quality across all interventions.

Preparing for diverse audiences

Although children remain at the heart of the programme, artists are also trained to be prepared for different audiences, including adults and older people. This is not simply because other groups may be present in emergency settings, but because we see our audiences as one community in which different people belong.

Children are our primary focus, yet older people, unaccompanied men and women, and veterans also deserve access to meaningful mental health and psychosocial support activities. Emergencies are unpredictable, and adaptability is essential. Broadening readiness strengthens the team’s ability to provide appropriate and sensitive support wherever it is needed.

Looking ahead

With the upcoming focus on Humour Relief Workshops, the next in-person training sessions will build on the foundations laid during this annual meeting. The direction is clear: continuous education, shared expertise and a deep commitment to safe, inclusive artistic engagement.

This year’s gathering reaffirmed Emergency Smile’s identity as an organisation that invests in its artists, not only as performers, but as skilled professionals dedicated to learning, reflection and responsible humanitarian action.