Category: Mental Health

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Laugh It Off Project Continues to Inspire Schools Across the Region

    Laugh It Off Project Continues to Inspire Schools Across the Region

    The Comedy Trust is proud to celebrate the ongoing success of our Laugh It Off project, which continues to help students build confidence, develop resilience, and find their voice through comedy.

    Since its launch, Laugh It Off has reached hundreds of young people, offering interactive workshops that blend stand-up comedy with emotional well-being techniques. By encouraging students to channel their thoughts and feelings into comedic expression, the project equips them with valuable coping strategies for stress and anxiety, all while fostering creativity and boosting self-esteem.

    “It’s amazing to see how students transform over the course of the sessions,” said Kevin Coogan, Project Manager at The Comedy Trust. “At the start, some are hesitant to speak up, but by the end, they’re delivering their own comedy routines with confidence and pride.”

    Positive Feedback from Schools

    Teachers and students alike have praised the programme’s effectiveness. One teacher from West Derby shared:
    “The difference in our students has been incredible. Not only did they have fun, but they’ve also gained valuable communication skills and a new-found confidence in themselves.”

    Students have also embraced the opportunity to share their stories and experiences through humour, with many highlighting how the project has given them a fresh perspective on handling life’s challenges.

    🚀 What’s Next?

    With its continued success, Laugh It Off is set to expand to even more schools in the coming year, ensuring that more young people can benefit from this innovative and transformative programme.If you’re interested in bringing Laugh It Off to your school, get in touch with us today. Together, we can empower the next generation—one laugh at a time.