About Palhaços d'Opital
For more than a decade, bringing joy, humour and affection to those who need it most.
Palhaços d’Opital was born from a simple but essential question: what about older people?
At a time when hospital clowning was aimed mostly at children, Palhaços d’Opital became a pioneer in Europe by bringing the art of clowning to adults in hospital.
It is a mission that recognises the value of art and humour, helping to humanise healthcare and change the experience of being in hospital.
Sorrisos para a Vida.
History
A story of humour, joy and affection.
Founded on 12 February 2013 by Jorge Rosado and Isabel Rosado, our organisation was created to bring humour, joy and affection to adults, with a special focus on older people.
Our first partner hospital was Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, in Aveiro. We were the first organisation in Europe dedicated to artistic work with adults and older people in hospital.
Today we are present in 11 hospitals, where pairs of artists specifically trained for the hospital setting work closely with healthcare professionals, bringing moments of humour, joy and humanity to those who need them most.
Mission
To bring joy, humour and affection to adults and older people in hospital.
Vision
To be a national reference in humanising hospital care and in artistic work in healthcare, showing every day that art also cares.
Team
A team of professional artists.
Palhaços d’Opital currently has a team of 13 professional artists from theatre, clowning and music, all with specialised training and specific preparation for working in hospitals.
2013
Jorge Rosado and Isabel Rosado found the association on 12 February and make the first visit to Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, in Aveiro – the first partner hospital.
2014
Structured training of the artistic team begins, with the first training course (Sérgio Claramaunt), and the third partner hospital joins: Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu.
2015
First independent impact evaluation, through a master's thesis at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, and the Prémio Sapo Solidário award.
2016
Participation in the Healthcare Clowning International Meeting in Lisbon, the first step into the international network of hospital clown organisations.
2017
The mission reaches an international stage: Jorge Rosado at TEDx Porto, and Jorge and Isabel Rosado at the C2U Expo conference in Vancouver. The fourth partner hospital joins: IPO Coimbra.
2018
Palhaços d'Opital presents its mission at the European Parliament.
2019
Rebranding, and a fifth partner hospital: Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos.
2020
In the middle of the pandemic, launch of the d'Opital TV channel and of the BioRiso scientific study; in-person visits resume in July.
2021
Isabel Rosado is named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Social Sector in Europe (Euclid Network), and the association receives the Prémio Nobre Casa de Cidadania.
2022
Palhaços d'Opital becomes an associate member of EFHCO (European Federation of Hospital Clown Organizations) and joins the European project Virtual Healthcare Clown, funded by Erasmus+.
2023
10th anniversary gala at Coliseu Porto Ageas, and the eighth partner hospital joins: Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João.
2024
Our biggest year of growth so far: a new head office, a larger team, and work that is becoming national in scope.
2025
Prémio Caixa Social, in the Prevention and Healthcare category, for the project "Sorrisos Intemporais".
11 hospitals across the country.
Our mission only exists thanks to the hospitals that work alongside us. Find out who they are and the partners who support them.
Transparency
The rigour and excellence behind every smile.
Our work goes far beyond the moment we walk into a room. Explore our documents and see the evidence and results of our mission for yourself.
FAQs
What people often ask us.
Are the artists professionals or volunteers?
The Palhaços d’Opital team is made up of professional artists with specific training for the hospital setting. We do not work with volunteer artists, because the hospital environment requires preparation, sensitivity and regularity.
Before they start visiting, all artists receive specialised training and keep developing their skills throughout the year, with more than 250 hours of training annually.
Why are the visits for adults and older people?
Because we believe humour, joy and affection matter at every stage of life. While most clown organisations work with children, we chose to give visibility to a population that is often forgotten: adults and, in particular, older people.
In a country where the population is ageing fast and so many adults spend time in hospital, we want to make sure they too have access to moments of joy, affection and humanity.
Do hospitals pay for the visits?
No. The visits take place under cooperation agreements with each hospital and cost the institution nothing. The programme is funded by European funds, support from companies and foundations, the Amigos d’Opital and individual donations.