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Veterans, family members and support organisations enjoyed a special Christmas Comedy Night on Thursday 4 December 2025, celebrating the achievements of The Comedy School training programme for veterans.

The festive event brought warmth, laughter and community spirit, showcasing the powerful impact of creative programmes designed to build confidence and connection among those who have served.

NLFT’s non-executive director, Dal Babu, opened the event sharing some highlights of the amazing work the school does for veterans. 

The evening’s performers were all veterans who had successfully graduated from The Comedy School’s dedicated veterans’ course. Taking to the stage in front of a supportive audience, they delivered sets shaped by their own experiences, humour and personalities. They also spoke about their experience of the course, with veterans saying:

“The Comedy School has changed many of our lives, it’s totally amazing.”

“It’s been a great place to come and meet fellow veterans, to let the imagination play and be kids again. Friendships have been formed and it’s been a nice escape and a light patch in my life.”

“It was a good journey in overcoming fears – comedy for me was quite intimidating but the training broke it down. You turn up, you have food, you have friends, you learn things and you just have fun.”

Alongside those who had recently completed the training, were professional comedians including Adam Bloom and Quincy who praised the work done by The Comedy School and the veterans who had taken part in the courses.

The Comedy School organised the Christmas event at St Pancras Hospital in partnership with the veterans mental health service OpCOURAGE, to celebrate both the performers and the veteran-focused programmes it has developed over recent years. These courses offer far more than comedy skills: they provide a safe, social and stimulating environment where veterans can build confidence, relieve stress and share camaraderie with others who understand military life.

The veterans’ comedy courses are currently running as part of Thrive Together London, an  initiative led by The Poppy Factory and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. The first cohort supported through the programme delivered an improv performance at last week’s showcase and have continued their development through ongoing monthly meet-ups. Meanwhile, the second course is already underway, having completed a successful first term focused on improvisation—a dynamic skill that encourages quick thinking, teamwork and confidence in the moment.

It was an evening filled with humour, celebration and shared experience—a reminder that laughter can be one of the most powerful tools for connection and personal growth.

NLFT governors Neil Davies and Jaqueline Noon along with deputy leader governor Olga Cecilia Farach also attended the event and praised the event and how veterans have benefited from experiences like these.