We began working alongside Liverpool Hope University back in 2018 with thanks to the Curious Minds fund that enabled us to find new and accessible ways to collate and evidence impact of our youth mental wellbeing support programme, Feeling Funny Youth. Research enabled us to challenge existing tools such as SWEMWBS to utilise more creative and accessible methods that support the delivery of our light-hearted, non clinical approach to supporting mental wellbeing.

Through the success of this initial partnership we have now established the Hope for Humanity and Humour programme. Working alongside a team of academics at the university to explore and create change through the artform of comedy. Courses, events and research produced as part of this programme will explore the powerful role of comedy as a platform to start conversations and kick-start change surrounding social attitudes. 

The programme aims to: 

• Explore the development of creative, co-produced, accessible and innovative research methods to capture the impact of comedy on both individuals who take part in our programmes and the wider society through the dissemination of work

• Create a toolbox of research approaches that can be shared to wider communities

• Identify how comedy plays a role in community cohesion

• Provide an experience for audiences that allow them to take away an appreciation of how humour can be used as a platform to connect with other people's stories and experiences

• Establish a long term partnership between the charity, academics and individuals who live, work and visit the local community