Clowning Connection and Confidence at 55+: Social Circus as a Tool to Support Healthy Aging

Executive Summary
This report presents findings from a qualitative research study examining the perceived health and wellbeing benefits of the Silver Circus project, a social circus programme delivered by In Your Space Circus (IYSC) to adults aged 55+ across community and residential settings in the North-West of Northern Ireland. Funded by The Ideas Fund, the study aimed to explore how older adults themselves experience and describe the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive impacts of participating in social circus.
Using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with participants, care staff and trainers, the research prioritised older adults’ voices and subjective experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis identified two overarching themes:
(1) the self-reported health benefits of social circus participation, and
(2) the central role of the teaching approach in shaping those benefits.
Participants consistently described Silver Circus as a positive and valued experience, highlighting emotional benefits such as joy, laughter, improved mood, emotional regulation, and confidence-building. Social benefits included reduced isolation, strengthened relationships, and opportunities for playful, non-judgemental connection. Physical benefits ranged from increased activity and improved functional movement to pain self-management and continued independence. Cognitive engagement was also reported, with participants and care staff noting increased focus, alertness, memory, and mental stimulation embedded within enjoyable activities.
A key finding was the importance of the trainers’ relational and adaptive pedagogy. Trainers’ emphasis on rapport, humour, inclusivity, and responsiveness created safe and motivating environments that encouraged participation across diverse abilities. The intentional integration of play, explanation, and adaptability distinguished social circus from traditional exercise or therapeutic interventions, making health-promoting activities both accessible and enjoyable.
Overall, the study concludes that Silver Circus is experienced as a holistic, person-centred wellbeing practice rather than a single-purpose intervention. By combining movement, creativity, social connection, and cognitive challenge within a playful and respectful framework, social circus offers a valuable model for supporting healthy ageing. The findings contribute to the growing evidence base for participatory arts in later life and support the continued development and scaling of social circus initiatives for older adults.