comedy on referral

For treatment of trauma and mental health issues

What is Comedy on Referral?

Comedy on Referral CIC is a groundbreaking and award-winning project that uses the process of writing, performing and understanding stand-up comedy for therapeutic benefit.

Comedy on prescription, for the treatment of trauma and mental health issues.

We began in 2020 when our pioneering Co-produced work which was the first of its kind in the world to be funded and prescribed by the NHS developed our platform to then help other communities, organisations and people who need a new exciting and groundbreaking ways to look at their trauma, mental health and lived experiences.

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Previous Projects

Comedy on Referral have worked for companies both in the UK and abroad to show how comedy-based interventions can change peoples lives through a unique combination of psychology, creative writing, body work and comedy theory.

Previous projects have including designing and delivering for Rethink Mental Illness, BRAVO 22, Mothers on the Mic, Mountview Drama School, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, University of Bristol, Active Recovery, The Primary Head Teacher Association of Bristol, British Association of Drama therapists, The Greenhouse, Allright Mate? CIC, Salisbury NHS Trust,The Cape Project as well as Companies such as Journey Travel, Deutz Bank, Ashurst Law firm, Hologica, and GWR.

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Media Articles

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The Guardian

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Men's Health

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BBC News

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Video Clips

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Comedy on Referral

Awards

Comedy on Referral was honoured at the 2024 Hague Comedy Project in The Netherlands, given COMEDIAN OF EMMANCIPATION 2023 for the work they delivered for Bristol Social Prescribing Service, and was given a Gold AWARD for BEST MENTAL HEALTH RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NHS in 2024 by The Health Services Journal Awards for their delivery of the world’s first NHS funded Co-produced comedy course for men at risk of suicide.

Need some proof this works? Read the evaluation report from our 2 year suicide prevention comedy course at The Comedy Store in London for Rethink Mental Illness, funded by the NHS.read the report

What People Say About Us

...A stand up comedy course sounds hugely scary but this was anything but. I would encourage anyone given the opportunity to experience her workshops to give it a go - however shy you might feel about it...

Laura Graham-May

...Angie was personable, very understanding of how to navigate challenging conversations with our group effectively and productively, this resulted in our members reporting they had a fantastic time...

Active Recovery

...If someone had said to me two months ago, you'll be standing on a stage, in front of an audience doing your first stand up comedy set, I would have fallen over!!! But I did it! Thank you Angie...

Lorna Young

I had a couple of 1:1 Comedy Coaching sessions with Angie. I really benefited from Angie's practical and fearless approach. I gained both confidence and inspiration!

Rachel Hogg

Angie is a fantastic teacher. She really knows her stuff. She kept asking what we needed/wanted to cover and flexed accordingly . She is really warm and supportive - making it 100% safe to have a go...

Harriet Beveridge

...I felt totally supported throughout and felt fully cradled in Angie’s wonderful bosom when getting on the stage. I was 100% confident that she wouldn’t let me make a tit of myself...

Emma Kelly

Angie is a fantastic comedy coach, she used tonnes of theory backed writing and physical approaches to get us confident and finding our funny, writing things that mattered to us...

Sam Gilroy

...If you’re on the fence with this and are reading reviews to see if you should do it.. you should 100% do it. The whole experience was great and the final showcase was the best gig I’ve been on in a long time...

Peter Butler

...Angie is one of the kindest, most patient and, most importantly, understanding people you will ever have the pleasure of interacting with. And then, on top of that, she is truly in love with her craft...

Neb Nella

Angie has the rare ability to be incredibly knowledgeable and thoroughly engaging. Her course took me from a place of uncertainty and nervousness to one of empowerment and confidence...

Tom Kennard

Reviews
5 Over 64 Reviews
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Review from Google
Kate Guest
Kate Guest 10 months ago
Angie has done a cracking job of taking a group of wannabe stand up comedians, and moulding them and their work to be performance ready to receive rapturous applause! I can highly recommend Angie and her course. Fun, informative and inclusive. The camaraderie that ensues is also another feature of Angie's ability to get people in the zone and supporting each other.
Review from Google
Samantha Marlow-kent
Samantha Marlow-kent 11 months ago
I was mentored by Ange. Her knowladge of comedy was vast. From book recommendations to quirky quotes and theoretical comedy!
Review from Google
Lee Comley
Lee Comley 11 months ago
Worked with Angie on a scheme at the Birmingham Rep and she was an absolute star. She has a fantastic way of making people feel at ease, while also pushing people out of their comfort zones to produce the best work they can. I'd never attempted standup before and Angie helped give me the confidence to get up and share - and the impact the work she put in had on myself and the others in my group is immeasurable. Anyone getting to work with her is incredibly lucky!
Review from Google
Steven Taylor
Steven Taylor 1 year ago
Angie is one superb stand up comedy teacher/coach and a really lovely person to boot. Always supportive - friendly - caring and gets the best out of everyone. Worthy of every one of those 5 stars - er. That’s it. Er that’s not quite it. 18 months and a ministroke on I got on stage again and did my second ever gig with some one to one coaching from Angie. She gave my act a new direction and refreshed it - it went over well with the audience and now I’m looking forward (health allowing) to doing many more. Angie - you are THE kindest genius of comedy
Review from Google
William Kenny-Levick
William Kenny-Levick 1 year ago
I would. I did. So if you’re needing to be a better you, why don’t you?
Review from Google
Rachel Hogg
Rachel Hogg 1 year ago
I had a couple of 1:1 Comedy Coaching sessions with Angie. I really benefited from Angie's practical and fearless approach. I gained both confidence and inspiration!
Review from Google
Laura Graham-May
Laura Graham-May 1 year ago
Angie was well prepared, engaging, warm and incredibly funny. She gently brought out the best in the young people that we had gathered for her, and allowed them the chance to learn at their own pace.
A stand up comedy course sounds hugely scary but this was anything but. I would encourage anyone given the opportunity to experience her workshops to give it a go - however shy you might feel about it. You'll be surprised at how simple she makes it seem, which is testament to her skill at delivering and her encouraging manner.
It's also a right laugh.
Review from Google
Active Recovery
Active Recovery 2 years ago
We worked with Angie for several workshops with survivors who had experienced a range of abuse in their lifetime. From start to finish, Angie was a pleasure to work with. Angie provided lots of information for us - demonstrating her expertise and well structured workshops. During the sessions Angie was personable, very understanding of how to navigate challenging conversations with our group effectively and productively, this resulted in our members reporting they had a fantastic time. We are impressed with how well held and transformative this session could be and highly recommend this as an option to those considering using her comedic workshop services!
Review from Google
Harriet Beveridge
Harriet Beveridge 2 years ago
Angie is a fantastic teacher. She really knows her stuff. She kept asking what we needed/wanted to cover and flexed accordingly . She is really warm and supportive - making it 100% safe to have a go. An absolutely brilliant course. Thoroughly recommended.
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Facebook Posts

Comedy on Referral
3 hours ago

From comedy and community radio to singing, storytelling and more, we’re really excited to introduce the brilliant artists and projects kicking off All Together Now.

All Together Now is a brand-new programme in the West of England using creativity to address loneliness.

Chosen by local communities, each project will create opportunities for people to meet, make, have fun and build new friendships.

Find out more about the first projects: bristolbeacon.org/blog/creating-connection-the-projects-helping-people-feel-less-lonely-in-all-to... ...

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Comedy on Referral
3 hours ago

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that Arts Council England have awarded Comedy on Referral significant funding to help a Disabled and Visually Impaired comedian to access the stage.

This funding will allow her to create a pionering stage show over the next year which incorporates access into stand up set creation and pay for her personal access needs.

This is part of a larger project called #Paralaughs to enable more Disabled, Deaf, Visually Impaired, Neuro Diverse and Blind new acts to bring their comedy to audiences.

My wish has always been to make the stage equitable, inclusive and enjoyable. This is a pioneering moment for us and the Stand-Up Comedy circuit.

Many thanks to our amazing Access Support Worker Liz Clarke who is a power house with arts applications. We couldn't have done it without you.

Please share this important project, which has been 3 years in the making!

More news soon!

#AccessibilityMatters
#comedyeducation
#comedyisapoliticalact ...

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Comedy on Referral
3 hours ago

Comedy on Referral is heading to the House of Commons today!

We've been invited to the APPG meeting to share how comedy can support health services.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We couldn't be prouder to take this message to Parliament.

#ComedyOnReferral #HealingByFeelingFunny #HouseOfCommons #APPG #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #SocialPrescribing #ComedyForGood ...

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Comedy on Referral
2 weeks ago

Next year we'll be running our brand new comedy and animation project #BlackLaughsMatter at Eastside Community Trust in #Bristol.

Applications are now open! ...

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Comedy on Referral
4 weeks ago

Lovely time last night giving an after dinner speech about teaching comedy to older people and Eldermirth to a care home chain. Managed to get papped on the red carpet! ...

Lovely time last nig
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Comedy on Referral
2 months ago

Fabulous that our Birmingham Rep
Queer comedy project #LGBTQTeeHee has been favourably evaluated. Also I'm thrilled to be teaching the course again this year. Thanks ChortleHow doing a comedy course boosts the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people | New academic research published

ift.tt/U7Wfi3R ...

Fabulous that our Bi
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