Who we work with
We work with organisations such as Surestart, Women’ refuges, local councils, schools and youth organisations. We have also worked in partnership with Experian, United Response and the Arts Council.
When You Wish Upon a Star
For the last seven years in December our clown Pogo has accompanied sick children and their families to Lapland with the charity When You Wish Upon a Star. Pogo entertains the children at the airport the evening before the flight and continues on the flight, through the day and on the return flight. The children particularly enjoy throwing snowballs at Pogo. He comes back exhausted but happy!
‘He is an absolute joy with the children……….The smiles he puts on the faces of these children is truly amazing and a wonderful tonic to them. He is a wonderful character … I know you will appreciate his great efforts because you will get 110% from him.’
Barbara White MICFM Founder of When you wish upon a Star
Arts Council Funding 2008-2009
Back in October 2008 Laugh4Life was very excited to receive Arts Council funding for a year to deliver circus skills workshops and the Arts Award to schools and youth groups in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. The groups we worked with had a range of different needs and we found that circus skills can have profoundly positive effects on the young people participating. Below are some of the comments from the organisations we worked with.
GRANTHAM YOUTH CENTRE
Confidence and self esteem grew each session the children and young people attended.
It was fantastic to watch the children and young people skills develop throughout the course.
WOODVALE SCHOOL NORTHAMPTON
There isn’t a single child in the workshop who hasn’t gained a new skill.
STIMPSON AVENUE SCHOOL NORTHAMPTON
I was very pleased with the response and interest of our pupils being retained throughout. Also very pleased at the involvement of our parent helpers, (and ‘observers’) – they thoroughly enjoyed each session!
Children initially stated “I can’t do that” – but they did it – sometimes in style!
ROBERT MELLORS PRIMARY, NOTTINGHAM
Levels of cooperation- Excellent. Children have been willing to work with people they would usually avoid! Great cooperation between different genders, year groups and adult/child including parents.
I wish it could go on for longer and we could run it with all children!
GO FOR IT! SOUTH HOLLAND, LINCS.
Would you want to work with L4L again? Yes definitely.
A young man walking albeit aided on the tight rope, with a smile beaming from ear to ear, when he often does not show that level of emotion; this had three of the staff who normally work with him in school on the verge of tears.
A young girl referred by another partnership agency suffering from huge self esteem and confidence issues shows and helps teach others skills she had only just learnt herself and revelling in the being ‘front of stage’.
Skill development- many of the young people’s skill levels were very poor because of their special needs, therefore their development has been varied- in some quite dramatic.
SHINE- MEDEN FAMILY OF SCHOOLS, NOTTS
Each week was adapted to reflect the groups’ development. However, behind this was the Workshop Leaders skills and experience driving the project.
Communication -As a very challenging group I believe that the sessions have done a great deal to improve the young peoples’ communication skills. Listening, following instructions and showing consideration is now a common occurrence. I feel that the group has beaten their own and others’ expectations of their achievements.
Levels of cooperation – Greatly improved. This was a very fractious group whose interaction amongst themselves and with staff and other adults could be less than ideal.
Balance- As an example, one of the pupils has a slight limp and yet she has undertaken all the skills including tightrope and stilts. This was done with the great support of pupils and the Workshop Tutor.
This was a very engaging project that has proved very beneficial to the pupils who took part. I feel that this is just the start of potential projects. Throughout the project the rewards have been great. My hope is that as a Family we can further support these and other pupils’ development by offering future projects.
