Westminster women are invited to join ‘Stand Up and Shine’, the comedy workshop series.
Need a good laugh? Want to feel more confident and connected to your community?
Join award-winning comedian Carly Smallman in an unforgettable FREE community workshops series, Stand Up and Shine, designed to uncover your smile and free you up!
WORKSHOP EVENTS, AT THE PASSAGE
DATES: Mondays: February 9, 16, 23; and March 2, 9, 16 2026
INCLUDED: Free morning tea (food and refreshments from 10:30AM)
LATEST ARRIVAL TIME: From 10:45AM (Register below to secure your place)
TIME: 11AM to 1PM
INTENTION: Confidence • Connection • Laughter
SPECIAL SHOWCASE, AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
DATE: Wednesday, March 18 2026
TIME: 1PM to 3PM
WATCH: Carly will perform stand-up and invite you to join her on stage, if you wish to show off your new comedy skills.
INVITE: Family and friends are welcome to attend!
CERTIFICATE: Receive a certificate of completion and track your wellbeing across the seven events.
Comedy is a universal language that transcends barriers and unites us. Research consistently highlights the profound impact of comedy and laughter: fostering connection, strengthening communities, and enriching lives. Perhaps it’s true after all… laughter really is the best medicine! Register and come find out for yourself?!
* Workshop spaces are limited to 15 people only. You must register to secure your place and be a woman, resident of Westminster, and over 18 years of age. The special showcase event is for workshop participants and their guests only. Special workshop and showcase guests to be announced! We are required to track how you feel before and after each event — this can be anonymous.
What participants gain from Stand Up and Shine?
Stand Up and Shine is designed to help women feel more confident, connected and emotionally supported — whether life feels steady or overwhelming right now.
Across six weeks, participants are gently guided through laughter, storytelling and creative play in a way that feels safe, supportive and pressure-free. Many women join simply wanting to feel more comfortable speaking up, meeting others, or enjoying something positive for themselves — all in a friendly, cosy space.
You’ll gain:
A sense of confidence that carries into everyday life
Human connection with a supportive group of women with shared experiences
Tools to express yourself without judgement
Moments of laughter, relief and joy
A feeling of pride in showing up for yourself
The option (never an obligation) to take part in a celebratory showcase
You don’t need to be funny. You don’t need to perform.
You just need to be open to connection, creativity and kindness — towards yourself.
About Carly Smallman
Director Co-Founder of BYOB Comedy • Comedian • Comedy-on-Prescription Workshop Facilitator • Women’s Advocate
“I believe comedy should be joyful, fearless and a bit mischievous! My workshops are a safe space to take risks, make mistakes, and most importantly, have a bloody good laugh.” — Carly Smallman
Carly loves comedy! From booking fabulous shows, to performing and providing workshops all over the country, she can’t get enough of making people laugh.
Carly Smallman is a comedian, writer and performer who has spent over a decade making people laugh on stage, screen and radio. She has performed stand-up on the BBC, been a panel show regular for ITV, and hosted on Talk Radio. On the live circuit, she’s played everywhere from comedy clubs and arts centres to London’s Vaudeville Theatre and the Apollo.
Alongside her performing career, Carly has built exciting, innovative projects that bring comedy to new audiences. In 2016, she co-founded Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, lunchtime comedy clubs for parents (and their little ones), which have grown into a national success, winning awards including ‘Best Mental Health for Parents’. She also co-created Tarot, Nice to Meet You, a live comedy and tarot show that won ‘Best Audience Interaction’ at the Brighton Fringe in 2022.
Carly is passionate about helping others discover their comedic voice. Drawing on her wide experience as a writer, performer and producer, she creates a supportive, practical and joy-filled environment. Whether you’re a beginner or polishing your material, Carly is committed to giving you the tools and confidence to shine.
Some people said some nice things:
"Delightfully ebullient" – Time Out
"A bundle of energy" – The Sun
"The most exciting female act in the country right now" – GQ Magazine
Directions to the venue
ADDRESS: The Passage, St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, London Westminster, SW1P 1NL
TRANSPORT: Victoria Tube/Train/Bus Terminal London
PLAN JOURNEY: TfL journey planner
ENTRANCE: Map (below left); and view a photo of the external entrance (below right).
Access
St Vincent’s Centre is wheelchair-accessible via a step-free entrance with ramped access to reception. An internal lift provides access to the main client and programme areas.
If you arrive at an entrance with steps, there is an alternative step-free entrance along Carlisle Place; visitors may need to use a buzzer for entry.
An accessible toilet is available on site. Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
The centre is approximately a five-minute walk from Victoria Station, which offers step-free routes depending on line and exit. Nearby bus routes are typically low-floor and wheelchair-accessible.
Accessibility features:
Wheelchair accessible • Step-free entrance with ramp • Lift • Accessible toilet • Assistance dogs welcome
The definition of Craic means ‘enjoyable time spent with others’.
This free Comedy-on-Prescription® event aims to connect the Westminster community through laughter. Brought to you by…
Craic Health is proud to introduce Comedy-on-Prescription® trials for Westminster, in partnership with Carly Smallman Comedy, One Westminster Charity, The Passage, The Royal Albert Hall, and Westminster City Council.
These pioneering trials use comedy-based experiences to support mental health, build social connection, and boost confidence—while simultaneously supporting local creatives, venues, and cultural organisations.
Craic Health is a CreaTech (creative technology) platform working to integrate Comedy-on-Prescription into national healthcare systems globally, as part of the Creative Health and social prescribing movement.
The health benefits of laughter are well evidenced—from reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health to strengthening social bonds and overall wellbeing. While comedy has long played a role in helping people feel better, what Craic Health is building is fundamentally new.
Craic Health is developing the world’s first dedicated platform for comedy-based wellbeing, bringing together comedy practitioners and businesses, events, research, and pathways into social prescribing and Creative Health networks—across the UK and beyond.
Under the umbrella term “Comedy-on-Prescription”, first coined by Craic Health founder Louisa Jackson, we are creating a structured, scalable system that positions comedy as an accessible, recognised tool for health and happiness.
In Westminster, the programme includes:
Curated comedy workshops
Curated comedy panel game show events
Stand-up comedy shows at some of London’s most established comedy venues
All events take place in Westminster, supporting local residents while strengthening the local business ecosystem—including libraries, charities, comedians, producers, venues, and small businesses.
At Craic, our mission is to make comedy accessible to everyone and to reconnect communities through shared laughter. At a time when technology can increase isolation, Craic’s purpose-built platform is designed to bring people together—using comedy as a catalyst for connection, wellbeing, and joy.
We look forward to welcoming participants, sharing a laugh, and demonstrating the measurable health benefits of comedy in action.