Category: News

  • 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.

  • Comedy for Social Change Symposium – Sparking Laughter, Inspiring Action

    Comedy for Social Change Symposium – Sparking Laughter, Inspiring Action

    The Comedy Trust were thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated Comedy for Social Change event in 2024 — a bold and brilliant showcase using the power of laughter to tackle some of society’s most pressing issues.

    Featuring a diverse lineup of comedians, academics, participants and changemakers, all using humour to challenge stereotypes, spark meaningful conversations, and advocate for a better world.

    From witty observations on inequality to sharp takes on mental health, politics, and identity, Comedy for Social Change Symposium was more than just a night of entertainment — it was a call to action. 

    At The Comedy Trust, we believe that comedy has the power to break down barriers and bring people together. By using humour to explore sensitive topics, this event encouraged audiences to engage with difficult conversations in a relatable and accessible way.

    “Laughter is a powerful force for empathy and change,” said Sam Avery, Director of The Comedy Trust. “Our goal is to use comedy not just to entertain, but to empower people to think differently and act compassionately.”

  • The Comedy Trust and West Derby School Create Documentary on Scouse Humour

    The Comedy Trust and West Derby School Create Documentary on Scouse Humour

    The Comedy Trust has teamed up with West Derby School to celebrate the city’s iconic wit with their Laugh It Off programme. Together, we’re producing a documentary exploring the essence of Liverpool humour, capturing the charm, quick wit, and unique comedic voice that makes the city famous.

    As part of the project, students worked alongside professional comedians and filmmakers, gaining hands-on experience in storytelling, interviewing, and documentary production. The film offers a heartfelt and hilarious insight into what makes Scouse humour so distinctive, featuring interviews with local comedians, residents, and even the students themselves.

    “Liverpool is renowned for its humour—it’s in our DNA,” said Sam Avery from The Comedy Trust. “This documentary is a celebration of that spirit, told through the eyes of the next generation of storytellers.”

    The Laugh It Off programme not only showcased the students’ creative talents but also provided a meaningful outlet for self-expression. Through comedy, they explored themes of resilience, identity, and the power of laughter in overcoming challenges.

    West Derby School staff praised the project for its impact on students’ confidence and creativity, as well as its role in preserving and celebrating local culture. The completed documentary will be showcased at a special screening event, giving students the chance to share their work with the community.

  • The Comedy Trust and Sandfield Park Team Up to Create Mental Health Toolkit

    The Comedy Trust and Sandfield Park Team Up to Create Mental Health Toolkit

    The Comedy Trust, in collaboration with Sandfield Park School, is bringing laughter to the forefront of mental health support with their Laugh It Off programme. This innovative initiative uses the power of comedy to help students explore and express their emotions while developing practical skills to support their wellbeing.

    As part of the programme, students at Sandfield Park are working alongside professional comedians to co-create a mental health toolkit. The resource is designed to offer practical, accessible strategies for managing mental health, all infused with the therapeutic benefits of humour.

    The toolkit includes creative exercises, lighthearted activities, and coping strategies aimed at reducing stress, building resilience, and promoting positive mental health habits. It also encourages open conversations, helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in a safe and supportive environment.

    “Comedy is a powerful tool—it helps us express emotions, connect with others, and find light in difficult times,” said Kev Coogan from The Comedy Trust. “By empowering students to create this toolkit, we’re giving them a voice and practical ways to support their own wellbeing and that of their peers.”

    Sandfield Park staff have praised the programme for its engaging, student-led approach. The toolkit will remain a valuable resource for both students and teachers, offering a creative and effective way to navigate the challenges of mental health.The Laugh It Off programme is part of The Comedy Trust’s ongoing mission to use laughter as a force for positive change, proving that sometimes, the best medicine really is a good laugh.