Just For Joy is an inclusive clowning-in-education programme designed for young people with learning disabilities.
Rooted in joy, creativity, and emotional connection, the programme uses clowning as a powerful tool to enhance communication, confidence, emotional regulation, and motor skills.
“I’ve never seen our children and staff so animated after taking part in the Just For Joy programme!”
At its heart, Just for Joy is about creating a space where every young person feels seen, valued, and empowered through play.
Why Clowning?
Whether you’re a school, community organisation, or SEN provider, Just for Joy offers a transformative, heart-led experience. It’s a chance to bring lasting joy, creativity, and connection to your learning environment, making room for every child to shine through play.
Clowning becomes a powerful tool to support young people with learning disabilities in social, emotional, and cognitive development through;
enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication
promoting self-expression through creativity
building confidence
encouraging teamwork and relationship building
easing transitions
support in emotional regulation through emotion-exploration techniques
promoting curiosity in trying new things and finding ‘wonder’ in the every-day.
We have taken these key learning tools and embedded them within the Just For Joy programme, exploring them through our 5 C’s of Clowning; Curiosity, Connection, Communication, Confidence & Creativity!
The approach aligns with key priorities in the UK SEN curriculum and can be adapted to suit a wide range of settings. These key learning tools for young people
How does it work?
Just for Joy is made up of five strands:
Clown Connections: Professional clowns integrate into the school day to ease transitions, build familiarity, and foster safe, playful interactions. Their curious and joyful presence helps young people navigate their day with confidence and ease.Clowning Around: A series of performance based clowning workshops introducing participants to the core elements of clowning, including physical comedy, improvisation, movement, and sensory play. These sessions support motor skills, communication, emotional regulation and imaginative engagement.Clown College: A CPD strand for teaching staff, equipping educators with practical clowning tools and playful teaching strategies to improve classroom interaction, pupil engagement, and staff wellbeing.The Joyful Jamboree: A celebratory event that showcases the work of students and staff through inclusive performances. It boosts confidence and strengthens school communities through shared joy and creativity.Joyful Legacies: At the end of the project we will work with staff to ensure an exchange of skills; sharing an accessible resource kit and accreditation, helping them embed playful, inclusive practices long after the programme ends.
Just for Joy is flexible in delivery, designed in collaboration with SEN educators, therapists, and school staff to meet the individual needs of each setting. Projects can be designed specifically to meet the needs of each school/organisation including some or all of the various strands of the project.