Bristol circus workshop for over-50s tackles loneliness

A circus workshop for people over 50 is helping people stay active and combat loneliness, participants say.

Knowle West Health Park in Bristol offers this course in conjunction with Circomedia.

Participants learn circus tricks for eight weeks and say it helps them stay active.

“I was very anxious when I came here and this has brought me out of my shell,” said John, 80.

Emma Smallwood from Knowle West Health Park, who hosted the sessions, said the class focused primarily on healthy living.

“What we do in these circus classes specifically ticks a lot of the wellness boxes,” Ms. Smallwood added.

“They are active and feel like they have trained too hard without realizing it.

“It’s a good thing to combat isolation.”

Bristol’s circus school Circomedia is working with over-50s for the first time.

Instructor Elly Clibbens normally works with children as young as four years old.

“It’s nice to work with adults who have a little more patience and can really focus and understand the tricks,” Ms. Clibbens said.

Classes will reopen in January.