Welcoming Our New Board Members

Welcoming Our New Board Members

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of two outstanding new board members to the Skylight Circus Arts family, Adele Navesey-Hall and Bushra Sultana.

Each brings unique expertise, boundless creativity, and a deep commitment to the arts and community engagement.

Adele Navesey-Hall

Professionally, Adele is an experienced educator specializing in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Her role within education has allowed her to advocate tirelessly for inclusive learning, and she brings this invaluable perspective to our board. Her expertise ensures that Skylight continues to be a welcoming space for people of all abilities, where everyone can feel empowered to learn, explore, and express themselves through the art of circus.

We asked Adele, what inspired you to join Skylight Circus Arts as a board member?

“I have had a lifelong passion for the arts through dance and drama as a participant, performer and teacher. The arts empower, build confidence, boost self-esteem, improve wellbeing and socially connect people and communities. Being part of Skylight Circus and being involved with a diverse range of people from all ages and abilities has been a joy and showcases its importance within the community where everyone is valued.

The Generations Project saw young and old working together collaboratively to share stories and experiences to create a brilliant performance and develop their skills.”
 

Adele Navesey-Hall has been a vital part of the Skylight community for many years, engaging both as a participant and performer in various classes and shows over the years. Her connection with Skylight runs even deeper as she’s shared these experiences with her children, who grew up attending our circus sessions, creating memories that have become an enduring family legacy.

 

What inspired you to join Skylight Circus Arts as a board member?

“I have been involved with Skylight for over 25 years. Skylight has taught, supported and develop my children in terms of skill development and well-being. It has given them the confidence to have a go, perform, volunteer, work as part of the team and build friendships. I wanted to give something back and be part of sustaining it future.”

Bushra Sultana

Bushra Sultana joins our board with an impressive background as a visual artist and creative leader rooted in the heart of Rochdale. Her artistic journey has taken her into diverse educational and community settings, where she has shared her talent and insight with students and communities alike. Bushra’s collaborations include work with key organizations such as Your Trust Rochdale, HOME MCR, and Factory International, where her role has centred on fostering community engagement and making the arts more accessible and inspiring.

 

We asked Bushra, what do you believe are the key benefits of circus arts for communities, especially in Rochdale?

“Circus arts can enrich communities by promoting engagement, bringing people together , encouraging social interaction and collaboration among diverse groups.

Cultural enrichment – Promote local talent, storytelling and cultural heritage through performance and workshops.

Circus Arts involve a range of physical activities that provide a fun way for people of all ages to engage in physical exercise , which can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Circus Arts encourage creativity and self-expression. Participants have the opportunity to explore their artistic abilities, develop their own unique acts and express themselves in a support environment.”

skylight circus arts board member

If you would like to speak to us about joining our board or volunteering with Skylight Circus Arts please contact us.

Diary of our CEO

Diary of our CEO

Skylight’s CEO, David Allen, was featured in this month’s Charity Times magazine!

David wrote a diary piece showcasing what it’s like to run Skylight on a weekly basis.  From fixing broken toilet seats to working with Manchester’s Factory International….all in the space of 5 hectic days. 

We are hiring!

Skylight Circus Arts are seeking an experienced Arts Administrator

Arts Administrator £25,500 (full time equivalent)

30 hours per week prorated salary (£20,400) + benefits

We’re expanding and we need help. 

We’re looking for an Arts Administrator to develop and manage our administrative support systems so we can spend more time running workshops and events.

In addition to making us more efficient, there’s also an opportunity to get involved with our classes, workshops and events if you’ve got relevant experience though this is not integral to the post.

The successful candidate will help shape Skylight’s future and make a real difference to us and the lives of even more people in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and beyond.

 

  • Download the application pack for full details

  • Application is by email with CV & covering letter

  • Closing date for applications is Friday 18th August 

Applications Email to: work@skylightcircusarts.com  

Arts Adminstrator - Job Application Details

Skylight Circus Award Win on ITV

Eventbrite's Most Curious and Colourful Award!

 

 

 

"Amazing to be on TV! Wow!"

 

– Participant

National Winner!

We are thrilled that Skylight was Named National Winner in Eventbrite’s Most Curious and Colourful Events Competition!

The competition was designed to celebrate the wide diversity of events that can be found on Eventbrite, and especially those that could be described as unusual, unique, alternative – and maybe a little bit ‘out there’.

Photos by Iain Cash

“We hosted over a million events last year including thousands of brilliant community events like those run by Skylight Circus Arts. What they do really stood out to us as being wonderfully different, diverse and inclusive, bringing people together and enriching their lives through live experiences. And that, in a nutshell, is what Eventbrite is about. They’re worthy winners and we are looking forward to the prize money going to a worthy cause.” 

Sebastian Boppert, Eventbrite

ITV came along to Skylight to film our participants! 

Watch Skylight on TV Here!

 

“Everybody was happy and excited!  It was wonderful that ITV were interested to see what we do.  I thought, wow, they’re really here and I’ve got a microphone on!  It was amazing and made us feel really special!”  

Silver Circus Participant

The prize

Eventbrite said that they’d hosted over a million events in the UK last year, so selecting a winner from the 12 finalists was no mean feat! They loved how we foster social connection through welcoming, inclusive and diverse events that help people learn skills and have fun at the same time – this fully aligns with Eventbrite’s company mission to ‘bring the world together through live experiences’. Eventbrite was particularly impressed by Skylight’s Side by Side sessions that support the emotional wellbeing for children alongside their parents.

Skylight has won £2,500 in cash and £2,500 in Eventbrite free credits to help us grow and bring even more people together through live experiences. We’ll use the prize to run classes we’re unable to get funded, such as our Silver Circus for over sixties, drop-in classes and youth classes.  Meanwhile, we’ll be able to use the free credits to further help promote classes, which encourage people of all ages and abilities to improve their personal, physical and social development as they learn circus skills.

“Winning this competition means the world to a small organisation like ours and we actually cheered with delight during a staff meeting when we got the call.  The money we’ve won will help us continue to support those groups that we don’t get funding for, so people in the local community can meet likeminded folks to socialise and learn new circus skills.”

David Allen, CEO

Take Part or Donate Today!

Get InvolvedDonate

Gandini Masterclass!

Skylight’s staff and participants were thrilled to take part in masterclasses led by Inaki from world renowned Gandini Juggling!  Inaki led us through amazing tips and tricks to take our juggling skills to the next level.  

Skylight ran two masterclasses, the first for our staff team and the second with a mix of Youth Circus and Silver Circus

Experience from the masterclasses will feed into Skylight’s new ACE funded show, Spark!  Outdoor performances will take place at Rochdale Folk Festival on Saturday 11 June.  This is a free event for the whole family to enjoy.  We have aerial performance, tightwire, diablo, silks, and of course JUGGLING!

Join us for FREE on Saturday 11 June, Memorial Gardens

Performance 1  12.45 pm 

Performance 2   3.15  pm

“It was an inspiring day with lots of new ideas and playful challenges to improve our juggling.  We sharpened up performance techniques with a whole lot of giggling.  It was great to gain lots of creative ideas to spark creation!”

Martine Bradford – Creative Director

silver circus juggling in mr kite
silver circus juggling in mr kite

 

If you would like any more information about Skylight’s work please call or email our Creative Director Martine on 01706 650676 martine.b@skylightcircusarts.com

Star guest with Silver Circus

Silver Circus were delighted to welcome star of circus and comedy Martin Mor!  Martin comes from Northern Ireland and after a successful career as a circus performer, he turned his attention on the unsuspecting comedy circuit.  With over 30 years experience as a professional performer, Martin has established himself as one of the UK’s most popular and in-demand comedians.  What a treat!

“A brilliant session.  Fantastic having Martin there.  Enjoyed it so much.  Thanks as ever to Skylight for spoiling us!” Greta Silver Circus Participant

Over 60? Take Part for FREE!

Sessions every Monday morning 11 am – 12.30 at Skylight Circus (opposite St Chads in Rochdale)

  • Learn a range of circus skills from juggling to aerial
  • Non competitive, inclusive and social
  • We welcome complete beginners – take things at your own pace
  • Great for health and wellbeing
  • Performance opportunities!

To book a FREE place contact info@skylightcircusarts.com or call 01706 650676

 

Special Guest in Skylight!

Silver Circus enjoyed working with special guest tutor Martin Mor

Spot the juggling ball!

Martin Mor juggles with Silver Circus

"A lot of fun and laughs"

A big thank you to Martin for a brilliant session!