Everton in the community’s well-being initiative: ‘LAUGH AWAY THE BLUES’

Everton in the community’s well-being initiative: ‘LAUGH AWAY THE BLUES’

Prestigious names from the comedy circuit joined Everton in the Community to help launch a new comedy wellbeing initiative.

Famous faces included Neil Fitzmaurice, Pauline Daniels, John Martin, Larry White and Joseph Roberts, all of whom came together at The Blue Base to help launch a new programme which utilises comedy and laughter to support veterans and their wellbeing.

Funded by the Afghanistan Veterans Fund, Laughing away the Blues will deliver a range of wellbeing related and social enrichment activities and events to veterans and their families which will aim to improve their mental and social health as well as their overall quality of life. 

The night kicked off with spoken word poet Joseph Roberts, before Larry White treated guests to some comedy music. Everton Veterans’ Hub Co-ordinator, Dave Curtis then took to the stage to showcase the charity’s veterans provisions as well as share his own story before Everton Ambassadors Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart were introduced to the show to share their version of events representing the Blues.

After a bite to eat, the night welcomed Pauline Daniels to the stage who interviewed John Martin and Neil Fitzmaurice about their time in comedy before Pauline herself brought the curtain down on the evening with a song.

As well as comedy for wellbeing workshops, Laughing away the Blues will include social trips and weekly NAAFI breaks with the programme placing a high emphasis on learning new skills.

“Our comedy wellbeing night provided the perfect curtain raiser for the programme to engage participants, generate interest and help shape the programme’s content. […] “Our thanks go to our fantastic performers on the night who we hope have inspired veterans and families to give it a try themselves! […] “Humour can help us build rapport as well as develop new coping and problem-solving strategies to improve wellbeing, making us all the more excited to be utilising a new mechanism which builds on a track record of supporting veterans with their mental health and wellbeing.”

Everton Veterans’ Hub Co-ordinator, Dave Curtis