Author: Sam Avery

  • Community Partnership Delivers Confidence Boosting Workshop

    Community Partnership Delivers Confidence Boosting Workshop

    The Comedy Trust and Thrive CIC have teamed up once again with Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) to deliver a community partnership aimed at building confidence and resilience.

    The partnership brings together The Comedy Trust with Thrive CIC, a community-focused organisation that provides a safe space and support services for young people navigating employment and life challenges.

    Funded as part of MVRP’s broader mission to prevent violence and create safer communities, the programme offers tailored workshops that focus on strengthening confidence, resilience and life skills among participants. MVRP adopts a public health approach to violence reduction, working with multi-agency partners to address root causes and support young people’s positive development.

    Amy (Thrive CIC), “A big thank you to Cheryl for the session last week. She built trust very quickly for young people to open up. It made impact on one particular young lad who fed back to his support worker that he really valued the workshop. This programme we’ve built with MVRP has been a big part of his development.”

    The initiative underscores the value of community collaboration in empowering young people and preventing social exclusion across the Liverpool City Region.

  • Men’s Health Comedy Course Launches in Liverpool

    Men’s Health Comedy Course Launches in Liverpool

    The Comedy Trust are excited to announce a brand-new 12 week men’s health comedy course in North Liverpool.

    Sessions are at Rotunda College in partnership with North Liverpool Lives and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) as part of their ReCite Programme. This unique programme brings together creativity, confidence-building, and community connection through the power of comedy.

    A Comedy Course with a Difference

    This isn’t just about telling jokes. The Comedy Trust’s courses are known for helping people develop:

    • Confidence and self-esteem
    • Communication and performance skills
    • Creative writing and storytelling ability
    • Social connection and teamwork
    • Resilience and positive wellbeing

    Delivered over 12 weeks, the course will guide male participants from first ideas to performing their own original comedy material. All in a supportive, celebratory setting.

    Rooted in the North Liverpool Community

    Hosting the course at Rotunda College makes it accessible to people in North Liverpool, an area rich in humour. By working alongside local partners and community networks, The Comedy Trust continues to make training available to people from all backgrounds.

    Comedy has long been part of Liverpool’s identity. This course taps into that tradition while creating new opportunities for local voices to be heard.

    Partnership with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

    We’re proud to be working with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Helping to recognise the growing understanding that creativity, laughter, and social connection can play a powerful role in overall wellbeing.

    Research shows that creative group activities – especially those involving humour – can help reduce stress, build confidence, and strengthen social bonds. This course blends those benefits with professional comedy training developed by The Comedy Trust over more than two decades.

    Who Is This Course For?

    This men’s health comedy course is ideal for:

    • Complete beginners curious about stand-up comedy
    • People looking to improve confidence and communication skills
    • Anyone interested in creative writing and performance
    • Individuals wanting to meet new people in a relaxed, friendly setting
    • Those seeking a positive boost to their mental wellbeing through creativity

    No previous comedy or performance experience is needed — just a willingness to give it a go.

    Learn Stand-Up Comedy in a Supportive Environment

    Participants will explore joke writing, storytelling, stage presence, and performance techniques, all guided by experienced Comedy Trust tutors. Sessions are fun, interactive, and designed to help everyone progress at their own pace.

    By the end of the 12 weeks, learners will have the chance to share their material in a live showcase. These final events offer a huge confidence boost and celebration of everything they’ve achieved.

  • Comedy in the Community

    Comedy in the Community

    As part of our Laugh It Off Project, The Comedy Trust are excited to partner with Thrive C.I.C.

    Thrive Careers Hub is a welcoming community space and coffee shop. A place where support workers and the young people they assist can meet, build trust, and access job-search support.

    Their inclusive environment makes them an ideal partner for workshops focused on confidence, creativity, and well-being.

    We are able to bring these comedy in the community sessions to local groups. All thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

    This support helps us continue our mission to use humour as a tool for:

    • personal growth
    • emotional resilience
    • positive social connections

    During these unique interactive workshops, participants are encouraged to share short anecdotes, light-hearted memories, and humorous personal stories. These moments of laughter help people open up, reflect, and explore their own experiences in a relaxed and supportive setting. The sessions also highlight the important historical role comedy has played in shaping Liverpool’s identity and community spirit.

    Humour has long been a source of strength for the city. By collecting and celebrating these stories, we shine a light on how comedy helps us cope with challenges. All while staying connected. These workshops offer a space to recognise this shared heritage. Plus empower participants to discover the well-being benefits of laughter today.

    Our collaboration with Thrive CIC brings people together in a safe, friendly environment where they can express themselves freely. We look forward to collaborating further in 2026 – delivering days of creativity, connection, and plenty of good laughs.

    ‘The tutor was incredibly engaging and built trust very quickly with our young people. She offered to stay longer to get the best out of the group and the young people were more than happy to stick around to continue engaging.’

    – Amy Henderson, Relationship Manager, Thrive

  • 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!