Feeling funny

A packed comedy club on any Friday night in Liverpool - a city famous for its wit- is a tough crowd for any stand up. But 80 year old Maureen’s performance at the Hot Water Comedy Club brought the audience to its feet. Not only was this her first ever stand up appearance, she came to the stage via a course designed to improve mental wellbeing.

Although she’s experienced many difficult times in her life, Maureen says she is ‘a coper’ who tends not to talk about her problems. She’s a regular at The Life Rooms in Walton where the opportunity to meet people and learn new skills has helped her work through her severe post-traumatic stress. She signed up for the comedy course to ‘find my sense of humour again’.

Over six weeks, she and nine other service users attended the Laugh for Life course culminating in a showcase performance. Founded by Liverpool comic Henry Churney, the course helps participants craft their own material, practise projection and microphone techniques and - crucially - see their own experiences through a playful lens.

A natural at telling a funny story, Maureen thinks she inherited her beloved dad’s sense of humour. Under Henry’s guidance, she learnt to deliver the one liner - to hilarious effect. Being hit by a car and a victim of a crime are not amusing but Maureen’s deadpan delivery went down a storm. One of her lines ‘I was knocked over by a drunk driver once. And once was enough, you know,’ brought a standing ovation and rapturous applause.

Although her stage appearance had been nerve wracking, Maureen felt elated after her debut and has plans to continue performing.

“I’ve had low self esteem and not much confidence most of my life. On stage I am my natural self - it’s mundane and ridiculous at the same time. But making people laugh felt really good.”

As well as a confidence boost, Maureen says that laughing together was significant and the friendships formed in the group were just as important. “We really gelled as a group. Everyone was so funny with their stories. I loved listening to them all.”

Building a community through comedy was always Henry’s aim. He began delivering the courses to raise awareness about mental health after a close friend lost his son to suicide. He encourages people to use comedy as a way to open up about their feelings and experiences and connect with others.

He says, “We’ve always known laughing feels good. As well as a release of endorphins - our brain’s natural pain killer - it helps us feel more relaxed.

“Recent studies have also shown how beneficial it is for us to laugh together - laughing as a group creates a deep sense of belonging and lifts our spirits even more.”

Henry encourages the group to use their own stories to help them find out more about themselves.

“I believe everyone has a funny story that’s worth telling others.

“But there’s no pressure - even if someone can’t go onto a stage, there’s lots of benefit from being in the group and enjoying listening.”

Michelle Pybis, Learning Delivery Manager at The Life Rooms sees the impact. She says,“Finding comedy has challenged people to look for a new perspective on some difficult times in their life. It’s been an opportunity for them to have fun and step away from their day to day problems. Laughter really can be a great medicine.”

Comedy courses are just one of the activities being used by NHS as social prescribing, helping people increase social interaction, reduce stress and learn new skills.