Category: Stories

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Case Study: Olivia’s Story

    Case Study: Olivia’s Story

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

    My name is Olivia. I’m from Bootle, Liverpool and I’m a Comedy Trust graduate.

    I’m currently working abroad in Barcelona as part of my degree at Durham University and honestly, I can say that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for The Comedy Trust.

    When I was 14 I was being bullied in school; I had no confidence and my grades were dropping. I was encouraged by a department called The P.O.D (Pupil Outreach Department) to take part in The Comedy Trust’s course. At first the thought of getting up on stage in front of people terrified me and to be honest I used excuse after excuse to not take part. Finally I gave in and went to the first session, but I was still an hour late. 

    But still, Sam and Stacey who ran the course welcomed everyone with open arms. It was such a great feeling knowing you belonged to a group that encouraged you to do one of the most petrifying things which is get on stage and pray that someone laughs at your jokes. 

    Once you’ve done that you feel like you can take on the world.

    Through the course I learnt the simplest but probably some of the most important skills which was how to present myself in conversation and in a room. I learnt how to manipulate language in order to get that big laugh everyone wants. I gained skills in presentation which have benefited me ever since, from class presentations to job interviews. 

    But most of all I got my confidence back.

    I learnt it wasn’t the worst thing in the world if someone laughs at you, in fact it can be one of the best feelings.

    I’ve made so many friends while taking part in the course. I made friends with people in my school from different years who normally, I would never have had the chance to speak to before. 

    Being part of the Comedy Trust has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s really shaped me as a person and has opened a passion for writing and performing comedy that I never knew I had. 

  • 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.”