Comedy festival to help promote mental health
TOOLKIT TO SUPPORT PERFORMERS AND PUBLIC
PRODUCERS of Leicester Comedy Festival have received funding to promote positive mental health as part of this year’s event
Big Difference Company received the money from Leicester City Council as part of the national Time To Change campaign, funded by Department of Health and Social Care, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund.
The festival, which runs from February 5 to 23, will feature specific performances, seminar events and a “mental health toolkit” designed to support the mental health of members of the public attending festival events.
The programme is supported by Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (Lamp), the Samaritans, Equity and De Montfort University’s #DMULocal programme.
Leicester Comedy Festival has also developed a mental health toolkit, which will be distributed to comedians performing at the festival, as well as venue staff and promoters. It will aim to promote ways in which everyone involved in the event can improve their mental health.
Harriet Dyer, founder and compere of Manchester’s award-winning monthly Barking Tales comedy night, where she and fellow comedians often perform routines about their struggles with mental health, will be taking part in the Leicester festival.
A seminar discussion will also take place, focusing on comedy and mental health, and featuring speakers from a range of partner organisations and comedians.
Geoff Rowe, director of Leicester Comedy Festival, pictured, said: “Over recent years, the association between comedy and mental health has become much more prominent.
“The role comedy can play in improving the mental health of comedians is important, as is the role it can play in promoting positive messages and inclusion.
“The role of comedy and laughter is also widely recognised as a proven way to improve mental health of audience members.
“However, there is still much to do and, together with partners, we hope to play our part in making Leicester Comedy Festival a positive place for comedians, promoters, venue staff and audience members.”
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