Up Side Down Circus to run free summer course to support young LGBTQ+ individuals in Wales 

May 26, 2021

Up Side Down Circus will be running a free, month-long summer course designed to support young members of the LGBTQ+ community in Wales following lockdown.
 

Participants will have the chance to try their hand at a wide range of skills – from aerial hoop, to juggling, to flying trapeze – aiming to improve body confidence and self-esteem.
 

Tammi Brown, co-founder of Up Side Down Circus, said: “We want to create an environment where everybody feels safe and comfortable to be themselves.”
 

The course will start on Monday, July 5 and last for four weeks, with the timetable running from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, at the training space on Tremorfa Industrial Estate in Cardiff. 
 

No circus experience is necessary and those taking part will be in the safe hands of lead trainer Tammi, plus a variety of guest trainers, learning skills including aerial yoga, Chinese pole, clowning, handstands, hula hoop, rope and silks. 
 

The programme is designed for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are aged between 16 and 25, and come from Wales originally or live in Wales now.

At the end of the course, specialist aerial arts photographer Kim Partridge will be on hand to capture participants’ progress and achievements.

Tammi said she hopes the project will offer benefits to the physical fitness, mental health and emotional wellbeing of those taking part.

According to a recent report by Pride Sports: “Physical and mental wellbeing are interconnected and for many members of the LGBT+ community, there are many challenges and obstacles to maintaining both of these.”

Tammi said: “I’ve had conversations with members of our circus community who said they had previously felt excluded from some sports clubs and teams.”  

She added: “We aim to create a friendly, welcoming and inclusive setting where people can learn and create together and everyone can express themselves freely.

“Circus is a great way to use your body in unusual ways, learn cool tricks and have a good time in a fun environment.”

The programme particularly aims to support young LGBTQ+ individuals who feel they have not had a good support network around them in the past.

Tammi has performed in amazing locations all over the world – from a castle in Milan to a manor in Scotland. She has taught in countries including America, Australia, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

Her ambition was to create an inclusive training space for a diverse community and she co-founded Up Side Down Circus with Chris Moore three years ago.

The team is grateful to have received funding from the Arts Council of Wales to run this project, which will be completely free for participants.

Update: This course is now planned for the autumn, with even more fun workshops and amazing trainers. Thanks to everyone who’s already signed up - Tammi will have been in touch about the new arrangements.

Please keep an eye on our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for updates. If you'd like to register interest, please email tammi@upsidedowncircus.co.uk 

By Liz Day