Comedy / Changes Bristol
Bristol charity’s stand-up comedy night to highlight the importance of laughter
A virtual comedy night is being held to celebrate the health benefits of laughter.
Barton Hill-based Changes Bristol is teaming up with UTC Artist Management to hold the standup comedy event. Held on Wednesday, March 24 at 7pm, it will be showcasing four comedians: Toussaint Douglass, Kate Lucas, Ola Labib, and Russell Hicks.
The charity hopes to bring some laughs to people during lockdown, while also spreading awareness about mental health issues and fundraising for the charity.
is needed now More than ever
“Positive interaction and laughter is incredibly important for mental wellbeing,” says Jason Washbourne, Changes Bristol project manager.
“We’re hoping that this event will give people an opportunity to have some light relief and offer a fun uplift to people’s moods.”
The power of laughter has short-term effects, increasing the endorphins released in the brain and stimulating the respiratory system, but also has long-term effects, releasing neuropeptides which help to fight stress and other potentially serious illnesses.
The comedians taking part in the virtual stand-up event: Toussaint Douglass, Kate Lucas, Ola Labib, and Russell Hicks. Photo: Changes Bristol
The back-to-back shows will be ten minutes each and public tickets and are £7 each, but free for Changes Bristol members. The donations will be going towards the charity’s work, which currently includes ten online support groups, five in-person groups and a new telephone befriending service.
The charity says it has seen three times as many members using their mental health services, which began its peer support meetings in 2003.
“Throughout the pandemic it has been really important for us to be there for our new and existing members, while adapting how we offer our services,” Jason added.
“But it is not only our services that we have had to adapt, we have also had to take a fresh approach to our fundraising so that we can continue offering this level of support.
“That’s why we hope as many people as possible can join us on Wednesday March, 24 so share some laughs and raise some vital funds for free-to-access mental health support.”
Main photo: Changes Bristol
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