Outreach Work

Schools and Community Outreach Work

Circomedia are leaders in the field of using circus arts in outreach settings. We have worked with many different groups of people in schools, village halls, activity centres and other community settings using circus skills as a vehicle for creative play, expression and personal development. Children, young people and adults of all abilities find circus skills a fun, exciting and creative activity, and one that has many benefits: skills such as juggling, mask, acrobatics, trapeze and clowning can be used as a powerful and practical tool for empowerment, self-development and fitness. Benefits of this kind of activity include:

Enhanced self esteem
Self reliance
Trust in self and others
Socialisation
Mind-body neural connections
Improved concentration

Certain skills, such as Trapeze, are particularly successful as a means of motivating disadvantaged and marginalised young adults because it is a highly physical skill, and gives an adrenaline rush via the percieved “danger” factor.

Workshops
Circomedia can offer workshops for most abilities and ages in the following skill areas:

Juggling and General Circus Skills
Skills include clubs, rings, balls, diabolo, stiltwalking, unicycle. Basic mind/body co-ordination, focus, sense of achievement, partner and group co-operation.

Acrobatic Balancing
Learn how to make “human pyramids” supporting each other’s weight using trust and teamwork.

Clowning
Allowing yourself to be foolish; giving pleasure to others through laughter; playing with status; dealing with success and failure.

Trapeze
Training and/or “have a go” sessions in this exciting skill area using Static Trapeze, Bungee Trapeze, Swinging Trapeze and Flying Trapeze. (Dependent on height and rigging facilities. Requires a site visit.)

Mask
Workshops using three types of mask - Neutral, Larval and Character. Participants become aware of body language, posture, poise and gesture and often feel pleasure in being someone else.

Workshops can range from a half day to a two week residency, depending on budget and skill choice.

Organisations we have worked with include:

Bristol Grammar School - weekly juggling class with 14 - 18 year olds
Hengrove Comprehensive School - day of circus skills as part of the school’s activity week
Razzle - rural workshops network
Hartcliffe Club for Young People, Bristol - summer activity event for 8 - 16 year olds Siblands Day Centre, Thornbury - workshop for adults with severe learning difficulties
Clifton High School, Bristol - Easter activities with 8 - 16 year olds
The Watermill Theatre, Berkshire - circus skills training for actors
Backwell School - summer activities
Bristol Youth Service - Flying Trapeze Training Project for Young People
South Gloucestershire Council Arts Development Team - workshops throughout the region
The Amber Foundation, Wiltshire - week long residency leading to a performance.
Bristol Social Services.

For further information please contact William Pritchard on:

phone/fax: + 44 (0) 117 9477288 or e-mail