Author: Sam Avery

  • Public Speaking session for Six Start-ups

    Public Speaking session for Six Start-ups

    LYVA Labs enjoyed our first public speaking session so much they invited us back!

    This time to work with six businesses selected to take part in their incubator programme. This develops innovative early-stage businesses with the aim of them becoming ready for investment.

    Our tutor, comedian Sam Avery delivered a fun public speaking session at Central Tech Liverpool. This workshop was focused on helping all six companies refine their business pitches ahead of going to investors.

    Sam offered smart and memorable tips to improve communication, presentation skills and how to make a successful pitch.

    The group worked on all aspects of presenting, with the aim of improving performance. From preparation before the big day and acclimatizing in front of an audience. To connecting with an audience and remaining calm whenever nerves rear their ugly head!

    Public speaking is one of the most common fears in business, especially when it comes to delivering a persuasive pitch. The Comedy Trust’s workshop tackled this challenge head-on.

    Led by an award-winning comedian, the session focused on transforming anxiety into confidence, through humour, storytelling, and audience connection.

    Participants learned techniques to:

    • Engage audiences from the first sentence
    • Use humour naturally to create rapport
    • Structure compelling business pitches with clear messaging
    • Deliver presentations with confidence and authenticity

    These skills are especially valuable for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and professionals who need to pitch their ideas or products with confidence.

    By blending performance skills with practical business communication strategies, the session helped attendees leave their comfort zones. And also discover a more engaging way to speak publicly.

    Attendees praised the session for its fun, inclusive atmosphere and practical outcomes. One participant shared:

    ‘Great pace and content. Sam understood the challenges and created a friendly collaborative atmosphere.’

    Thanks to Natalie Niven, the team at LYVA Labs and all the attendees for getting involved.

  • The Comedy Trust launch pilot Primary Programme

    The Comedy Trust launch pilot Primary Programme

    On Monday 20th of October we visited Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School in Vauxhall, delivering a full day of ‘Well Funny’ comedy workshops, working with over 120 KS2 children.

    Made possible with funding from PH Holt Foundation – Laugh it Off Primary is a humour-based mental health programme for primary schools in Merseyside; using humour and comedy to equip children with tools to manage stress, anxiety, and adversity through the power of laughter, promoting resilience and emotional well-being in a fun, engaging and meaningful environment.

  • Masterclass with LYVA Labs

    Masterclass with LYVA Labs

    The Comedy Trust this week had the pleasure of delivering a public speaking workshop for the team at LYVA Labs.

    Presenting is one of those skills that can feel intimidating. But it’s also one of the most powerful tools for sharing ideas with impact. The group jumped in with enthusiasm, asked great questions, and brought a load of energy to the session.

    A big thank you to LYVA Labs for creating the space for their team to build confidence and practice techniques. It was mind-blowing to see what they’ve achieved as a company in such a short space of time. Plus always great to see individuals step outside their comfort zones to develop professionally.

    And nice to visit the beautiful Pullman Hotel Liverpool!

  • Raising Laughter, Raising Funds: Comedy for Wirral Mencap

    Raising Laughter, Raising Funds: Comedy for Wirral Mencap

    At The Comedy Trust, we love proving that comedy can change lives – and this time, it also raised vital funds. We recently partnered with Wirral Mencap to deliver a unique comedy programme where participants from local businesses swapped their day jobs for the comedy stage, all in support of a fantastic cause.

    Turning Business Brains into Stand-Up Stars

    Over several weeks, professionals from across the Wirral took part in our comedy workshops. Guided by The Comedy Trust’s experienced facilitator Jack Miller, they learned how to:

    • Build confidence and stage presence
    • Find the funny in everyday life
    • Craft punchlines and share their stories
    • Support one another through nerves and laughter

    Comedy with a Cause

    The programme wasn’t just about learning stand-up — it was about raising awareness and vital funds for Wirral Mencap, a charity supporting people with a learning disability and their families. Every laugh, every cheer, and every ticket sold went directly towards helping Wirral Mencap continue their incredible work in the community.

    The Big Night

    The workshops built up to a live comedy showcase, where our brave business participants took to the stage in front of colleagues, family, and friends. The result? A night filled with laughter, courage, and generosity — and an amazing fundraising boost for Wirral Mencap.

    Why We Do It

    At The Comedy Trust, we believe comedy is more than entertainment — it’s a tool for confidence, wellbeing, and community impact. By collaborating with local businesses and charities, we bring people together to laugh, learn, and give back.

    Get Involved
    If your business is looking for a unique team-building challenge that raises money for a great cause, why not step into the spotlight? Partner with The Comedy Trust and we’ll help your team go from the office to the open mic – while making a real difference.

  • NextUp Comedy Teams Up with The Comedy Trust to support young people at West Derby School

    NextUp Comedy Teams Up with The Comedy Trust to support young people at West Derby School

    NextUp Comedy is partnering with The Comedy Trust to capture the journey of our Laugh It Off students at West Derby School in Liverpool. This exciting alliance strengthens our mission to bring comedy for young people into schools and communities, while reinforcing the role of laughter in promoting mental health, confidence, and resilience.

    Comedy in Schools: Building Resilience Through Laughter

    Laugh It Off is designed specifically as a initiative to support wellbeing through comedy: using storytelling, joke writing, stand-up exercises and improvisation, the programme offers a safe, supportive space for young people to develop emotional literacy, self-esteem, and communication skills.

    Why This Partnership Matters for Liverpool Comedy Workshops & Youth Wellbeing

    By teaming up with NextUp Comedy, we are excited to showcase our impact through a compelling documentary that will be available later this year.

    • Improved confidence and self-esteem
    • Stronger communication and performance skills
    • Greater emotional resilience and reduced stress
    • Opportunities to express difficult thoughts through creative outlets

    Research and practice increasingly support the idea that humour and laughter are powerful tools in mental wellbeing programmes. The Comedy Trust’s Feeling Funny Youth programme (a sister scheme) has long used comedy in educational settings to support young people’s self-esteem and relationships. thecomedytrust.com+2UCL Press Journals+2

    What Happens in the West Derby Workshops

    Over a series of interactive workshops, students at West Derby will:

    • Be introduced to different styles of comedy, joke structure, and performance techniques
    • Participate in writing sessions, warm-ups, and improvisation games
    • Explore how humour can be used to reflect on personal experiences and emotions
    • Rehearse short routines
    • Present a final performance in a supportive environment to peers, staff, or invited guests

    This structure aligns with how other comedy-for-wellbeing programmes run in educational contexts, blending creative learning with emotional check-ins and peer dialogue.

    The Bigger Picture: Comedy for Social Impact

    More and more organisations are recognising the potential of live comedy, stand-up, and humour workshops to contribute to social impact, youth development, and community wellbeing. Live Comedy Association

    This project reinforces Liverpool’s place in the UK as a leader in comedy workshops for young people, and it also helps The Comedy Trust fulfill its mission of delivering community & education workshops in the North West — programmes that enhance mental health, confidence, and self-esteem.

    What Comes Next

    We look forward to seeing how the students at West Derby evolve over the weeks of Laugh It Off — and we can’t wait for future iterations in other schools across Liverpool and the surrounding region. In collaboration with NextUp Comedy, our hope is to stimulate more Liverpool comedy workshops for youth, strengthen school wellbeing programmes with humour, and bring laughter into the everyday lives of young people.

    Want to find out more about the Laugh It Off programme, or how your school or youth organisation can work with us? Get in touch today.

  • Sam Avery gives keynote speech for JUST EAT

    Sam Avery gives keynote speech for JUST EAT

    Sam Avery Brought Laughter and Learning to Just Eat with Humour is Our Superpower

    Comedian and speaker Sam Avery recently delivered his inspirational talk “Humour is Our Superpower” to staff at Just Eat, leaving the audience energised, entertained, and equipped with new tools to support their wellbeing.

    Blending stand-up comedy with practical insights, Sam showed how humour can be more than just a way to get a laugh. He highlighted the science behind laughter, demonstrating how it boosts resilience, reduces stress, and builds stronger connections at work and beyond.

    The session was packed with relatable stories, interactive moments, and plenty of laughs. Attendees described it as a refreshing reminder of the importance of seeing the lighter side of life, even in challenging times.

    Sam’s message resonated with Just Eat’s values of supporting employee wellbeing and fostering a positive workplace culture. By using comedy as a vehicle for learning, he created a space where colleagues could relax, recharge, and reconnect with one another.

    Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with staff praising Sam’s energy, humour and ability to strike the perfect balance between entertainment and meaningful takeaways.

    “As a guest speaker for our Global Parents and Carers Day, Sam’s talk was a total hit.  Insightful, hilarious, and incredibly engaging—he captivated our global team even over a remote stream. His message truly resonated with the community, and he was a joy to work with!”

    – Erin Walton, Global Chair of Parents and Carers ERG at JustEatTakeaway.com

  • Sam Avery gives Keynote at Edge Hill Mentor Development Day

    Sam Avery gives Keynote at Edge Hill Mentor Development Day

    It was an honour for our Artistic Director Sam Avery to give the keynote at the annual Edge Hill University Mentor Development Day.

    His speech focussed on how humour builds resilience by reframing challenges in our mind, giving us choice and control in our responses.

    Laughter is a powerful way of acknowledging that life isn’t perfect. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be joyful, positive, optimistic and filled with wonderful connections.

    Thanks to Lorraine Partington and Helen O’Keeffe and the over 100 teachers and educators in attendance!

  • Testimonial: Feeling Funny Mums Comedy Course

    Testimonial: Feeling Funny Mums Comedy Course

    Elisabeth – age 34

    I’m Lis and I’m a mum to my two little children Eva (4 yrs) and Ben (2 yrs). For the past three years, I’ve worked as an assistant to a dental technician, before that I was in retail. I have always had a passion for stand-up comedy, my favourite is Eddie Izzard. I love all things creative and like making crafty projects with the kids.

    Last year was a struggle for me, I found it challenging, especially when my eldest started school. Trying to get into a new routine and be more organised added the pressure onto what was already an anxious mind. I felt angry all the time and the smallest things would stress me out. I decided to get help and go into therapy. This helped me readjust my perspective on my life and made me look at things in a new light. Literally the week after I had my first therapy break, I saw the Feeling Funny Mums course advert. I thought ‘what the hell’ and applied! Low and behold a very friendly lady called Helen called me and invited me onto the course! I was excited and nervous to attend our first session. 

    I really enjoyed the course and looked forward to every session. We laughed so much it was its own form of therapy. It was amazing to see everyone develop their own routine, and to support and encourage each other. The night went off without a hitch and everyone performed their routines well. I never thought I would do stand-up comedy in my life, but I am so glad I did. I am now working on more material so I can still do a few open mic nights as a hobby.

    The course was exactly what I needed to kick-start me into connecting with myself again, you get a bit lost in becoming a mum and forget you are still a person with their own identity/ wants/ needs. I feel more comfortable with myself I laugh at the silly things I do instead of berating myself for being an idiot. I say ‘yes’ a lot more to going out and socialising, even on a school night!

    The biggest plus was finding a new group of friends who I can talk to about anything (yes anything) with no judgement whatsoever. I would recommend this course to anyone even remotely interested. It will help you open up and explore the joys of stand-up in a safe and friendly environment. But prepare yourself as I will guarantee you have never laughed so much or so hard in your life!

    Thank you to The Comedy Trust.

  • Case Study: Jay’s Story

    Case Study: Jay’s Story

    Please note that his name has been changed in line with our safeguarding policies.

    Jay is a young person who started taking part in our Feeling Funny Youth Comedy Club in January 2019.

    Jay (13) joined us at the club through a referral from his mother. When he joined us we were notified by his parents that he had been severely struggling with anxious thoughts and feelings over a period of four to five months during his transition into High School. 

    He was struggling to travel and attend school due to his negative thoughts and feelings. His mother was very concerned and wanted to find an alternative outlet for him to express himself.

    His confidence levels were low due to his concerns transitioning into high school therefore he was unable to take part in drama and performances which he had previously done so.

    Within the first session Jay was very quiet and reluctant to walk to the room where the session was held. The team invited his mother to join him if he felt more comfortable in the session to which she agreed. Throughout the session through different games Jay began to engage and find his voice within the group contributing ideas and telling the team about his favourite comedians and TV shows.

    The next morning the team’s project manager was in contact with Jay’s mother to check in with how he was feeling. She noted that they were shocked the next day, he hadn’t argued with them all morning about going to school, he happily got ready, packed his bags and got in the car with his Dad. He then spoke all the way to school in the car about his experience the previous night and how excited he was for the next session.

    The second session of the month Jay came around and to the teams surprise shouted to his mother “I’m alright Mum, see you later!”. He decided to join the session on his own which was a delight for the team to see. As each session continued you could see the development and growth of Jay, his mum noted he’d even started getting the train from the Wirral on his own to sessions which was an incredible achievement from the difficulties he was previously facing.

    “Seeing my son develop from an anxious young man who lacked confidence, to performing a stand-up routine in front of an audience was amazing. The programme gave him confidence, a safe space to talk with his peers and tutor about issues that were affecting him. It also provided respite from day to day stress and anxiety – It gave him something to smile about!”

    Jay stated that he was:

    • Feeling happier
    • Feeling less stressed
    • Feeling better about himself and his capabilities
    • Helped him meet new people and make new friends
    • Helped him feel less worried and anxious
    • Helped him feel more confident

    When asked about his time on the project Jay said: “I wanted to take part because I enjoyed doing comedy, I most enjoyed practising stand-up. I am more confident and have learnt to be comfortable in social situations. If anyone else is interested in the club I’d say don’t be nervous, everyone’s really nice. It’s helped me grow as a person and gave me a confidence boost.”