For many the word “clown” conjures up spooky images from a Stephen King movie.
Not so for staff, patients and family members at Taranaki Base Hospital who share the wards with a very different type of clown – a Care Clown.
Wayne Annand aka CJ the Clown is a volunteer at the Hospital spending many hours with patients and staff offering a kind, caring listening ear along with crafting hundreds of balloon creations.
“Finding out about Care Clowning drastically changed my life. It is the perfect fit for me. You can paint a clown smile on but the clown still has to come from within.”
Over the past eight years it has allowed Wayne’s quiet demeanour and mischievous personality to shine. Added to this is his huge compassion to comfort, distract and relax children and adults alike developing into an amazing resource.
“It took me a long time to become a clown. The clown is in you, it has to be, otherwise you can’t do it, but it took me a long time to bring that character out.
“Care clowning changed me from being an entertainer at parties to just wanting to be a care clown.”
“I donate my time and skills because if you really enjoy something and it means a lot to you as a person why wouldn’t you do it for free.