Bringing the Joy of Circus to Apna Ghar

Bringing the Joy of Circus to Apna Ghar

Over the past few weeks, Skylight Circus Arts has had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful group at Apna Ghar as part of our Silver Circus Project.

This project is dedicated to improving the well-being, fitness and reducing social isolation of elderly participants through the play and exploration of circus skills.

Thanks to the generous support of National Lottery – Awards For All, this project has allowed us to connect with two groups who attend Apna Ghar; a men and a women’s group with ages ranging between 65 – 85 who attend Apna Ghar.

Each week, we’ve introduced them to a range of fun activities, from juggling scarves and spinning plates to balancing feathers on their bodies. These sessions are filled with laughter, creativity, and a strong sense of community.  

It has been heart-warming to witness the group’s transformation over the weeks. At first, there was a bit of hesitation, but as time passed, the participants began to relax, embrace the joy of play, and truly come out of their shells.  

One participant shared a sentiment that encapsulates the spirit of Silver Circus

“The circus is the highlight of my week because we just have fun and laugh together.”

 

Hearing such feedback reminds us of why we do what we do. It’s not just about circus skills; it’s about creating moments of happiness, fostering connections, and making a difference in people’s lives.  

A huge thank you to National Lottery – Awards For All and National Lottery Players for making this project possible and to the team at Apna Ghar for welcoming us into your wonderful community! 

If you would like to speak to us about our Silver Circus Project, please contact us.

Become a Ringmaster

Become a Ringmaster

A Message from Jim and Noreen

As founders and Trustees of Skylight Circus Arts, we’ve had the privilege of participating, teaching and seeing up close, the extraordinary impact of our work on communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.

We often talk about the transformative power of circus arts but when you see a young person light up with newfound confidence, or witness a child with disabilities discovering joy and skill in our sessions, you truly understand the heart of what we do. None of it would be possible without the support of people like you, our champions, our “Ringmasters!”

young girl and elderly man doing acro balance position while on stilts

Becoming a Ringmaster is our invitation to those who want to go a step further. It’s more than a regular donation; it’s a pledge to stand with us month after month, helping to bring circus arts to those who need it most.

When you join us as a Ringmaster, you’re funding the equipment, training and people who make our sessions possible. You’re directly contributing to our work in schools, our classes, our inclusive programmes and our performances that bring communities together, spark joy and inspire confidence.

To Our Existing Ringmasters

Our deepest thanks. Your support fuels our ambitions and helps us to reach further than we could alone. To those considering joining, we invite you to step up, take a seat in the circle and become part of the Skylight magic.

 

Jim Riley and Noreen White

Chair and Trustee

 

 

If you would like to speak to us about any other ways you can donate or support us please contact us.

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

Igniting Passion! Introducing Fireflies

Skylight’s new community fire circus project for our local people. Including an upcoming performance at Ignite Fire Festival.

What’s Fireflies?

Skylight’s exciting new community project supported by Culture Co-op and in collaboration with Travelling Light Circus! This project brings fire spinning circus classes to the local community, currently offering a unique opportunity for 12 local adults, many have no prior experience with fire performance.

Working with visiting Fire Performers and Tutors Travelling Light Circus, our participants have been engaging in weekly sessions at Skylight, immersing themselves in the art of fire spinning. With the Ignite Fire Festival on November 23rd and 24th fast approaching, the Fireflies group are gearing up for their performance, showcasing their newly acquired skills in front of the Rochdale community.

Skylight’s Youth Circus Fire Performance

Skylight’s Teen Youth Circus are also developing their skills, with masterclass’ in club swinging and all about keeping safe when performing with fire from Travelling Light Circus.

They have then been working hard with Skylight staff to create their fire performance choreography to perform alongside our adult community group at the Ignite Fire Festival.

teen practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts

Is this new for Skylight?

This project represents an exciting opportunity to reintroduce fire manipulation and fire performance within our Skylight community, allowing young people and adults to connect with an exhilarating new circus skill.

As Skylight embark on this journey, we are not only excited about the upcoming festival but also about the future of fire workshops for adults and young people in our community.

‘Fireflies’ Project was made possible with support from Rochdale’s Culture Co-op.

 

Upcoming Performances

Ignite Fire Festival – Town Hall Square

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2024

5 – 8pm Adult Community Group and Skylight Youth Circus Performance

Falinge Winter Markets – Falinge Park Courtyard

Sunday 1st December 2024

3:30pm Skylights Youth Circus

If you would like to speak to us about any upcoming events with Skylight Circus Arts please contact us.

Disclaimer: 

The skills and techniques discussed in this blog post involve fire performance and should only be attempted under the supervision of trained professionals. Do not attempt any of these skills without proper guidance, support, and appropriate safety equipment. Always prioritise safety and seek professional instruction when engaging in fire-related activities.

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.