Welcome to this very special Veterans Mental Health Event, using comedy and lived experience to tackle stigma relating to mental health among the Armed Forces Community.
Armed Forces Community Event
Join us for a FREE evening of conversation, connection and wellbeing at the beautiful Colchester Arts Centre, set within the historic surroundings of St Mary’s Church.
This special community event has been co-produced by Healthwatch Essex, Lost Sock Productions, and members of the Armed Forces Community. It has been shaped with veterans, service leavers, reservists, serving personnel, families and carers to create a safe, welcoming and meaningful space for people to come together, listen, share and feel connected.
Throughout the evening, we will hear from guest speakers sharing their lived and military experiences, including reflections on mental health during and after service. These stories will support open and honest conversations about wellbeing, the challenges people may face, and the importance of accessing support.
There will also be a range of stalls around the venue, hosted by military charities and support organisations. These will offer information, guidance and signposting for anyone who would like to find out more about local and national support available to the Armed Forces Community.
Later in the evening, audiences can enjoy performances from two brilliant professional comedians from the UK comedy circuit:
Ben is a highly experienced and hugely well-respected stand-up. He’s been performing comedy since 1993 and is renowned for his incredibly relaxed stage persona and his innate ability to improvise as well as deliver sharply crafted material. His TV credits include: “Mock the Week” (BBC 1), “The Comedy Store” (Paramount and Comedy Central), “Never mind the Buzzcocks” (BBC 2), “They think it’s all over” (BBC 2). Ben has written and performed three solo shows at The Edinburgh Festival: ‘Sitting Room Only’, ’Mr Ambiguousness’, and ‘Benny on the Loose ’and was also Ed Byrne’s tour support for two of his UK tours and appearing at the Apollo, Hammersmith. Ben has also performed as a part of CSE entertaining military personnel on the frontline.
Nick Page
In the last few years he has won the prestigious title ‘English Comedian of the Year’, performed at comedy festivals in 3 continents and been awarded the Operational Service Medal by the British army for numerous gigs in warzones, doing everything from shows in Camp Bastion and Kandahar for 5000 troops at a time, to being helicoptered to perform for 20 soldiers in a patrol base in the desert. He’s reached the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent despite having never watched the show. A typical week in the UK might see performances in pubs and theatres before a weekend run at a comedy club. Between cruises and expat bookings he’s now performed in over half the world’s countries, and even kept busy during covid lockdown performing over 100 online gigs from a studio in his garage.
This event is being delivered in partnership with the Thrive Together Programme and Veterans Voice in the East of England, hosted by The Bridge for Heroes and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
We recognise that some of the topics discussed may be emotive and triggering. Support will be available, the venue is fully accessible with plenty of private breakout spaces. You will also have the opportunity to speak privately with a member of the event team or a supporting organisation.
Come along to listen, learn and laugh with others as we use lived experience, community and humour to support important conversations around mental health.
Please note: The comedians’ performances are intended for entertainment and may include adult themes or sensitive content. Their views do not represent those of Healthwatch Essex or event partners. Please consider whether the event is right for you before attending.
SEATING ALLOCATED ON ARRIVAL | SHOW MAY CONTAIN CONTENT OF AN ADULT NATURE | 18+ | ACTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE | PHOTOS & VIDEO MAY BE RECORDED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES