TThe Veterans’ Comedy Club is a dedicated veterans comedy group made up of veterans’ stand-up performers, each with direct experience of transition from military to civilian life. Our members have faced a variety of challenges, whether during training, active service, operational deployments, or in their personal lives. Despite the diversity of our experiences, we are united by a common thread: comedy and wellbeing, using armed forces comedy to bolster our self-confidence and enhance our well-being.
We are proud to support comedy for veterans and help create more opportunities for military community comedy, bringing people together through shared experiences, support, and laughter.
In 2022, our team first came together during a transformative five-day residential course organised by the Royal British Legion. This immersive programme was led by professional comedian Janice Connelly BEM, who guided participants through a unique combination of group workshops and individualised sessions. The course, often described as an armed forces comedy course, culminated in a live performance, marking a significant milestone for all involved.
Since that initial course, we have continued our journey, performing at the RBL National Conference, local clubs, National Armed Forces Weekend, corporate networks, and the renowned Edinburgh Fringe. Along the way, we have proudly represented armed forces humour and shown how funny veterans can connect with audiences through honest storytelling and laughter, including performances.
We are now sharing and developing our collective sense of humour for the benefit of the wider armed forces community. Through our performances, we not only entertain audiences but also challenge and dispel stereotypical perceptions of the military. By doing so, we foster a deeper understanding of both the armed forces community and the individuals who serve within it, thereby strengthening the impact of military and armed forces comedy.
We also support those who may be engaging with an armed forces recovery programme, using laughter as part of a wider approach to confidence-building, connection, and comedy and wellbeing.
Peer support is central to our journey. By supporting one another, we draw upon the courage and strength that define our community. In doing so, we continue to inspire and uplift each other, reinforcing the powerful bonds that unite us as veterans and as comedians.
At the heart of what we do is comedy for veterans, creating space for veterans stand-up performers to grow, connect, and share armed forces humour in a way that supports confidence, wellbeing, and community.
