Supporting elderly residents with our Silver Circus project, thanks to National Lottery Awards for All

by Charma Force | Nov 25, 2025 | News and Updates, Support & Donations

Silver Circus Continues and Grows Thanks to National Lottery Awards for All

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that we’ve secured funding from the National Lottery Awards for All funding, to continue and grow our much-loved Silver Circus programme for adults aged 65+.

Weekly Sessions

Our Monday morning sessions have become a real highlight of the week for so many of our Silver Circus participants.

Every week, local adults ages 65+ join us for gentle circus, movement, games, plenty of laughter and a sometimes even a little bit of mischief.

Together, we explore and master circus skills, from juggling, diabolo and even aerial arts in our inclusive, friendly circus school here in Rochdale.

“It made us happy and laugh together!”

– Silver Circus participant (aged 84!):

Together, we inspire and connect older communities

Thanks to this funding from National Lottery Awards for All, our weekly Silver Circus participants will be joining us to connect with other older people in local care homes & centres within the borough to inspire and share skills, connect with residents and spread a bit of circus joy.

People in care homes & day centres get their hands on circus too!

We’ll also be taking Silver Circus out into the community with some relaxed outreach sessions in local centres & care homes for the elderly and those living with dementia, giving more older adults the chance to experience the joys of circus arts.

Join Silver Circus

And of course, for anyone who discovers they love it will be welcome to join our weekly Silver Circus sessions on Monday mornings too.

Our members have told us how important these sessions are, for companionship, purpose and confidence. Some live alone, some are managing health conditions and many simply want to stay active and connected.

Silver Circus offers a place to belong, to laugh, to learn something new and to feel part of a warm, welcoming community.

Thank you

We’re so grateful to the National Lottery Awards for All fund for believing in us the power of circus and making this possible.

More creativity, more movement, more connection and of course, more circus for all.

Youth Circus Star Raises Funds With A Sponsored Bike Ride

by Charma Force | Sep 2, 2025 | News and Updates, Our Team & Community, Support & Donations

From Passion to Action

A Youth’s Message on Supporting Skylight Through a Sponsored Bike Ride

At Skylight we are constantly blown away by the dedication and creativity of our young people.

This summer one of our Youth Circus members decided to take on a challenge outside the our circus home here at Skylight, swapping diabolos and bouncy stilts for a bike and setting off on a sponsored ride with his family to raise money for Skylight.

Here’s a little message from Charlie, who wanted to share why Skylight means so much to him…

I decided to do a sponsored bike ride to raise funds for Skylight Circus Arts because I have been a member for a couple of years and they have helped me gain my confidence, they have helped me make friends but they have also accepted me for myself. Skylight saved me when I was at a low point in life and when I was struggling to accept I had autism, they encourage me to be the best I can be and provide a fun safe place for me to learn new things and socialise with adjustments if needed, and I feel it’s nice to show how much myself and family appreciate all members and staff at Skylight by raising funds for future events or equipment.

Charlie, Youth Circus Participant

From Passion to Action A Youth's Message on Supporting Skylight Through a Sponsored Bike Ride

Hearing Charlies story celebrates why we do what we do here at Skylight. Building confidence, bringing together community and celebrating creativity are at the heart of what we do and it means so much to hear how Skylight has been part of his journey.

How does support like this help?

Charlie raised a whopping £270.50, the money raised will go towards our classes, equipment and further opportunities to help us to continue to support more young people just like Charlie. Every mile he pedalled has a direct impact on helping others experience the happiness, belonging and purpose that circus brings.

Thank you!

From all of us at Skylight, an enormous thank you to Charlie for commitment, kindness and generosity. You’re an inspiration to us all. Not forgetting a big thank you to his parents, for always supporting and shouting about the work we do here at Skylight… and of course for helping us to pack up and carry all of our circus equipment after every workshop you find us at! You truly are a wonderful family with big hearts! Lastly, thank you to all that supported Charlie in raising funds for us here at Skylight.

Make A Difference Today

If you’ve been inspired by Charlie’s story and want to join him in creating pathways for future generations here at Skylight, please suppport us by sharing our work with your friends, families & networks.

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