Suzy Harvey
Before Covid
A specialist in Joy and Connection, I facilitate play and laughter in children’s hospitals as a Giggle Doctor, host Everybody Friendly Screenings for people living with Dementia, train staff in care homes to be more playful and connected with their residents, and encourage teenagers to believe in themselves.
I trained to lead Laughter Yoga classes many years ago and though I have used it a lot to inform all of my work, I have rarely done so formally until now. It felt like people didn’t seem to think they needed it. I am a qualified laughter yoga leader.
Now
With all of my work (facilitating joy and connection with sick and elderly people) being cancelled almost overnight, I woke up on Sunday 15th March 2020, thinking, for my own sanity, I’d run a laughter yoga class online. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
People expressed how much it was helping them get through the tough times we are living in and I noticed that it made me feel good too.
The next day, I set up Everybody Laugh Together. I’ve hosted over 200 online laughter yoga sessions.
Little by little my classes have become more and more topical and theatrical. We’ve laughed through our frustration and anger, been on imaginary holidays and been inspired by fairy tales and the news.
Every class looks different. We never quite know what’s coming next. I may propose the exercises, but it’s the sight of everyone else on screen interpreting it that provides the real joy.
Some Films about other things I do…
Watch my Pechakucha, where I talk about my career as a 'Fun Specialist' and how vital it is to connect, to have fun, to play and enjoy life! Find the transcript here.
Watch me in my work as a Giggle Doctor for the Theodora Trust…
Learn about the Everybody Friendly Screenings I run…
“Suzy Harvey radiates generosity, positivity and a willingness to embrace life in all its shapes and colours.”
— CARRIE MUELLER, CO-PROGRAMME LEADER OF PERFORMING ARTS AT UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON
