What is Comedy-on-Prescription (CoP)?
Craic Health is the Comedy-on-Prescription hub: known side effects, laughter.
Comedy-on-Prescription (CoP)
CoP is a pioneering wellbeing approach that uses comedy as a structured, evidence-informed tool to improve wellbeing and daily functioning—building confidence, emotional resilience, communication, and social belonging, while creating low-stigma routes into support and real-world community connection.
CoP refers to a growing family of programmes that bridge the comedy industry with health, social care, and community services. Sessions may include stand-up and storytelling workshops, improvisation, live gigs, and laughter-based group experiences, all designed to be inclusive and accessible.
At its core, Comedy-on-Prescription is about more than “a good laugh.” It’s about building systems that make life more enjoyable for those who need it most—especially people facing loneliness, housing insecurity, financial hardship, or mental health challenges.
What a CoP session looks like
Depending on the setting and the group, CoP may include:
Guided comedy workshops (stand-up, storytelling, improv, writing)
Laughter-led wellbeing activities (gentle, inclusive, not performance-based)
Supported social experiences (attending live comedy together, with hosting)
Confidence and connection building (voice, expression, boundaries, belonging)
Optional pathways onward (community links, services, ongoing groups)
Participants do not need prior experience and formats can be adapted for access needs.
Who delivers CoP
Craic Health works with highly skilled facilitators, including professional comedy talent and creative practitioners—supported by clear delivery standards, safeguarding, and partner coordination when delivered inside health and community settings.
Early Craic Health pilot trials
The World Health Organisation (WHO) supports integrating social prescribing into healthcare systems globally—especially in communities facing socioeconomic disadvantage and complex social care needs.
Yet comedy has largely been omitted from formal social prescribing pathways—despite its uniquely low-stigma, community-based ability to improve connection and emotional wellbeing. Craic Health is changing that: advocating at all levels of government and across healthcare systems to establish Comedy-on-Prescription as a recognised option, working in partnership with link workers, clinicians, the comedy industry, and local communities to make delivery safe, measurable, and scalable.
Craic Health’s first pilots show Comedy-on-Prescription (CoP) events are highly effective at engaging audiences, strengthening community connection, and improving emotional wellbeing. Momentum to continue is strong, with clear demand for further sessions—and comedy professionals and businesses ready to deliver across the UK and Australia.
Substantial uplift in emotional wellbeing: +43.69% improvement in participants’ overall mood
High demand for future events: ~98% of attendees want more CoP events
Consistently positive reception: ~92% likelihood to attend future events
United Kingdom
Social prescribing is already embedded within NHS England’s personalised care model, including social prescribing link workers within Primary Care Networks (PCNs), with established national delivery and funding infrastructure.
Comedy-on-Prescription is now on a pathway toward formal NHS integration: Craic’s founder Louisa Jackson is working with the Chair of the Creative Health APPG, Dr Simon Opher MP, supported by several UK MPs and peers, the NHS, the Mayor of London’s office, and Westminster Council.
Australia
Craic was born in Bondi, Australia. We’re working behind the scenes with healthcare, education, and comedy professionals, and the Australasian Humour Studies Network (AHSN), to support the integration of comedy into Medicare-adjacent healthcare pathways.
Australia’s National Feasibility Study on social prescribing recommends establishing a National Framework and a National Centre—and notes that funding mechanisms would need to be established to support scaled delivery, including:
Creating a new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item (or using existing items) to fund GP/non-clinical needs assessment and referral work
PHN-led co-commissioning/contracting of local social prescribing services (with other government and community partners)
A grants program to help general practices embed link workers (alongside establishing a National Centre)
This proposes pathways for government/Medicare-adjacent funding for the referral + link worker model. Medicare is not currently paying CoP providers to deliver Comedy-on-Prescription.
In the UK, the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) has published 13 evidence publications (Commissioned by NHS England). The evidence review found that ‘social prescribing schemes can deliver between £2.14 and £8.56 for every £1 invested, by reducing pressure on the NHS. This includes reductions in GP appointments, hospital admissions; and A&E visits for people who have been referred to social prescribing’.
Craic is working in the UK and Australia to get comedy recognised within Creative Health, including to train and supervise the world’s first cohort of Comedy-on-Prescription providers on the ground locally. In the meantime, comedy professionals are going by the title Comedy-on-Prescription facilitators.
Who is CoP for
Craic Health’s CoP facilitators provide:
Open-access sessions for the general public (individuals and families to corporate), and
Specialist delivery for specific age groups and communities, including:
Age groups
Infants (0–15 months)
Early years (0–4)
Children (5–12)
Teenagers (13–17)
Young adults (18–30)
Adults (18+)
Seniors (65+)
Communities and needs supported
Alcohol-free / sober-curious communities (including recovery and addiction)
Carers and support workers
Chronic illness, chronic pain, and long-term conditions
Financial hardship
Frontline workers, healthcare workers, teachers, and educators
Hormonal health, peri-/menopause, and perinatal support (pregnancy & postnatal), including post-natal depression
Homelessness or housing insecurity
Justice system experience (prison, probation, court)
LGBTQ+ and trans communities
Men’s and women’s communities
Mental health, loneliness, anxiety, low mood, and social isolation
Mobility, access requirements, and sensory impairment
Neurodiversity and developmental conditions
Parents and single parents
Refugees and asylum seekers
Trauma, assault, or abuse (including domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of violent assault)
Veterans and uniformed services
Youth at risk (including NEET)
Why it works
Comedy can be a uniquely effective engagement tool because it is:
Low-stigma (people will try it even when they won’t try “therapy”)
Humanising (there’s nothing like laughing at yourself—and with others—to reduce shame, soften self-judgement, and feel less alone)Social by design (connection is built into the format)
Skills-based (builds confidence, communication, expression, and coping tools)
Real-world (creates belonging through community settings and live culture)
High-engagement for hard-to-reach groups (including people who find standard therapy difficult or culturally mismatched)
How to get involved
If you’re an individual: browse upcoming sessions and community events.
If you’re a referrer or partner organisation: contact us to discuss a CoP series, pilot delivery, or a tailored programme for your community.
If you’re a facilitator: you can apply to join the Craic Health facilitator network.
Did you know laughter has proven mental health benefits?
Chemically
It reduces stress hormones like cortisol and boosts feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
Socially
It is an ancient way humans and even primates communicate, fostering connection and belonging.
Prescription with known side effects: laughter
In this AI-era, technology continually transforms how we connect with each other, but it has also left many of us feeling more disconnected, isolated and alone.
Mental health issues like chronic loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever — everywhere across the world.
“It is projected that by 2030, World mental health problems (particularly depression) will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally.” — WHO Global burden of mental disorders (2011).
“Mental ill health costs English society £300 billion every year… The overall costs of mental ill health equate to double the NHS’s entire budget in England in 2022 (£153bn). They are similar to the estimated impact of COVID-19 on the UK economy in 2020 (£260bn in 2020 prices) – comparable, economically, to having a pandemic every year.” — Centre for Mental Health, commissioned by the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network (2024)
"The cost to Australia of mental ill-health and suicide is around $200 to $220bn per year. This includes direct economic costs of around $40 to $70bn per year... around $550 to $600m per day... People aged between 16 and 25 years have the highest prevalence rate of mental illness and the effects of mental illness on this group can be devastating." — Australian Government Productivity Commission.
In this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers. Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects—bringing people together, creating positive connections, and making life more enjoyable.
The definition of Craic means ‘enjoyable time spent with others’.
At Craic, our mission is to lead a cultural shift by making comedy accessible to everyone. We aim to unite people through the shared joy of laughter.
We believe comedy is an untapped opportunity to not only entertain, but improve health and wellbeing. Our goal is to make comedy easier to access and help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
Modern technology might disconnect us from one another, but we believe Craic’s purpose-built comedy technology can reconnect us. Visit our CoP Hub to find specialty and affordable events, as well as the professionals and businesses facilitating them.
“A large body of evidence shows that taking part in creative and expressive activities, including through social prescribing, can lead to a wide range of benefits including increased social interaction, decreased stress, adoption of healthy behaviours, and improved outcomes such as skills and employment.”
- The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) evidence review publication, Commissioned by NHS England.
The UK is the world leader in social prescribing
Commissioned by NHS England, the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) has published 13 evidence publications.
The evidence review found that ‘social prescribing schemes can deliver between £2.14 and £8.56 for every £1 invested, by reducing pressure on the NHS. This includes reductions in:
GP appointments,
hospital admissions; and
A&E visits for people who have been referred to social prescribing’.
What is social prescribing / prescription?
Social prescribing, also known as social prescription, is an innovative approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional medicine. It connects people to non-medical activities and community support to improve their overall wellbeing.
Rather than focusing solely on physical symptoms, social prescribing addresses the social, emotional, and practical challenges that impact health – such as loneliness, stress, or managing long-term conditions.
How does social prescription work?
A healthcare professional or social prescribing link worker listens to your challenges and interests. Together, you create a personalised plan that may include:
Creative activities like arts, music and comedy workshops or sessions.
Exercise groups or walking clubs.
Nature-based activities such as gardening or outdoor projects.
Joining community events or support groups.
Learning a new skill or volunteering.
Why is social prescribing important?
Improves mental health
Engaging in meaningful activities can reduce stress, boost confidence, and lift your mood.
Builds connections
It helps people feel less isolated and more connected to their community.
Supports holistic health
Social prescribing focuses on the whole person, not just their symptoms.
Who is social prescribing good for?
Social prescribing is for anyone who canbenefit from non-medical support to improve their health and wellbeing. It is particularly helpful for individuals facing challenges, such as:
Loneliness and isolation: People who feel disconnected from their community or lack social interactions.
Mental health challenges: Those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.
Chronic conditions: Individuals managing long-term illnesses where lifestyle and emotional support can make a difference.
Carers: People caring for loved ones who may need time for themselves or access to support networks.
Older adults: Those who might benefit from activities that keep them engaged, active, and connected.
Young people: Helping build confidence, reduce stress, and create positive social connections.
Ethnic and cultural minorities: Offering inclusive opportunities to participate in community life, reducing barriers to engagement.
Anyone looking for meaningful activities: From creative workshops to nature walks, social prescribing provides opportunities for everyone.
Social prescribing ensures inclusivity, making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.