Take A Stand
Comedy Workshops for Men’s Mental Health
Take A Stand is an innovative comedy and wellbeing programme developed in partnership with The Liverpool Football Club Foundation, designed to reach men who are less likely to engage with traditional mental health support.
The programme breaks down barriers and reduces stigma, creating a welcoming space where men can connect, learn, and express themselves through comedy. To date, Chris has worked with over 120 local men, with performances reaching audiences of more than 1,500 people across Liverpool.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/197667-foundation-supports-take-a-stand-initiative
What We Do
Take A Stand uses stand-up comedy techniques as a tool for wellbeing—helping participants build confidence, improve communication skills, and develop emotional resilience. Through workshops and live performance, participants are encouraged to share experiences, find humour in everyday life, and support one another in a positive, inclusive environment.
Impact
The programme has demonstrated how high-quality creative practice can play a powerful role in mental health and community wellbeing. It successfully engages men who are often underrepresented in support services, helping to reduce isolation and encourage open conversations.
Participants gain practical tools to reframe challenges, develop coping strategies, and build lasting peer connections. At the same time, the programme has strengthened partnerships with major organisations such as Liverpool FC, positioning Take A Stand as a leading example of creative health in action.
Success Stories
The impact of Take A Stand can be seen in the journeys of its participants:
- Richard Wilkie Riley went on to become a show manager at Laughterhouse Comedy and now works as Visitor Experience Manager at Shakespeare North.
- Mike Carter developed his skills through the programme and is now a professional comedian, recently performing alongside Ricky Gervais.
Contact us at info@comedylive.org for more details on our courses.
The Labyrinth Exchange
A participatory art installation for reflection, connection and insight
The Labyrinth Exchange is a versatile, interactive art installation that is designed to encourage participation while helping us better understand our experiences through calm, mindful engagement.
Rooted in an ancient symbol found across cultures, the labyrinth invites people to walk a winding path that reflects life’s journey. Taking part is simple but powerful: the act of walking slowly, with intention, creates space to pause, reflect and reconnect. This quiet, contemplative experience can help people process thoughts and gain new perspectives.
What It Does
The Labyrinth Exchange creates a welcoming environment where people can share and reflect on their lived experiences. It has been used in cultural, clinical and public settings to support wellbeing, spark conversation, and deepen understanding of community needs—particularly in relation to health and care.
Impact
Research suggests that labyrinth walking can support relaxation, reduce stress, and encourage reflective thinking. Building on this evidence, The Labyrinth Exchange combines visual art with meaningful participation to create experiences that are both calming and insightful.
Elaine’s work brings together artistic innovation and deep community engagement, amplifying voices that are often underrepresented. The project has been recognised nationally and internationally, including inclusion in the Arte Útil archive and dissemination through The Cultural Capital Exchange (TCCE).
Across exhibitions and programmes, The Labyrinth Exchange has engaged thousands of participants, creating spaces for reflection, dialogue and shared understanding—while influencing both community audiences and professionals working in health and culture.
For further information please contact Elaine - elaine@comedylive.org