Skylight Circus Arts Celebrates Double Win at Rochdale Culture Awards

We are delighted to share that Skylight Circus Arts won two awards at the Rochdale Culture Awards 2026, the Health and Wellbeing Award and the Community Award.

It was a brilliant evening celebrating the people, organisations and creative projects making a difference across Rochdale, and we’re so proud that Skylight’s work has been recognised in this way. Not forgetting the celebration of Rochdale’s Town Of Culture 2025 – 2026!

For us, circus has always been about more than skills. It’s about confidence, connection, creativity and belonging.

Community Award - Photo Credit - Rochdale Borough Council

Health and Wellbeing Award

The Health and Wellbeing Award recognised the work we do to support people’s wellbeing through circus, movement and creativity.

Some of our most recent projects include:

Silver Circus, our weekly class and outreach circus sessions for older people and elderly communities, creating space for movement, laughter, creativity, friendship and confidence. Through circus and shared experience, Silver Circus supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Side by Side Circus and family circus sessions funded by NHS Greater Manchester: inclusive sessions that give people the chance to move, play and connect through circus, supporting confidence, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Sky Hi Circus Sessions: circus sessions for children and young people with disabilities and SEND, creating a supportive space where everyone can take part, build confidence and enjoy circus in a way that works for them.

Silver Circus - Juggling - Skylight Circus Arts

Community Award

We were also thrilled to receive the Community Award, which celebrates our work bringing people together through circus.

Skylight has always been rooted in community. From weekly sessions and school workshops to public events, family activities and performances, our aim is to create welcoming spaces where people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences can take part.

Our multigenerational circus shows are a big part of this. Productions such as Sparrow Hill brought together a cast aged from 7 to 70, showing the power of circus to connect people across generations.

Thank You

These awards belong to everyone who makes Skylight what it is, our participants, families, artists, volunteers, trustees, staff, freelancers, funders, supporters and audiences.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey.

We’re proud to be part of Rochdale’s creative community, and we’re excited to keep bringing people together through circus.