What We Do 我们做的事情 The Humour Foundation is a national charity established in 1997 to promote the health benefits of humour. Clown Doctors are the core project, and children are the focus. Clown Doctor programs are established in all major children's hospitals around Australia and some general hospitals and hospices. Clowns have also visited east Timor and Afghanistan. LaughterWorks provides speakers and workshop presenters on humour and health to the health and welfare sector. International research has demonstrated the health benefits of humour. Clown Doctors attend to the psycho-social needs of the hospitalised chilD．They parody the hospital routine to help children adapt to hospital. Clown Doctors distract children during painful or frightening procedures. They dispense doses of fun and laughter and help children forget for a moment that they are ill. Everyone benefits—patients, families and staff. Clown Doctors are highly skilled professionals that work in partnership with health professionals. The Humour Foundation's core project is , touching the lives of over 85,000 people every year. The focus is children's hospitals, and Clown Doctors are now part of hospital life in all major children's hospitals around AustraliA． 'I am writing to thank you with all my heart for the fun, cheer and brightness you brought to me when I was in hospital for open heart surgery...I am thirty-seven years of age but felt just as excited as the kids no doubt are to see you.It was a terrific morale booster!' Children are our focus, but adult patients benefit too. Humour is built around each person's interests and responses and participation is encourageD．Adults have just as much fun as the kids! Clown Doctors also play a role in palliative care. The aim is to provide ways of dealing with death, and paradoxically people frequently share their feelings. Clown Doctors take risks in balancing lightness with the profounD．Caring clowning can speak the language of the heart and bring a sense of profound connection and consolation. Doses of humour can help relieve stress, improve health and well-being. Laughter that is based on caring and empathy also creates bonds between people, is nourishing, helps develop resilience and helps people cope with difficult situations. By developing strategies to bring more laughter into your life, you can improve your focus and effectiveness, enhance your communication and creative problem solving and strengthen your relationships and overall health. Put more laughter in your life, for Aristotle once said, 'Laughter is a bodily exercise precious to health. ' Smile often Laugh every day Laugh at yourself and at life Lighten up-be playful and have fun Tickle your funny bone and seek out opportunities to laugh You don't have to be funny, just have fun Develop a humorous perspective and look for the funny side Use humour as a tool, not a weapon The Humour Foundation is a charity dedicated to promoting the health benefits of humour. International research has found psychological and physiological advantages from doses of humour. Humour is an effective coping strategy. It can relieve fear and stress and aid recovery. As a national charity, the Humour Foundation's major responsibility is______. A．to recruit clowns