Run away with the circus with this remarkable community group

Roll up, roll up, to The Circus House!

Since its dazzling debut in 2009, this extraordinary establishment has been a powerhouse of empowerment, spearheaded by the sensational trio of Sian Berry, Owen Gaynor, and Alex Anderson.

The Circus House teaches a wide range of circus arts and activities while promoting inclusivity, confidence-building, and community engagement in Greater Manchester and beyond.

We spoke to Sian Berry about the origins, evolution, and impact this remarkable organisation is having.

The Circus House

The Circus House is driven by a mission to provide a social outlet as a vital service to the community.

“Our vision was to bring circus to the city of Manchester, from aerial arts to acrobatics and juggling skills,” said Sian.

“We wanted to ensure we could offer an affordable and safe space for young people and adults to learn the circus arts. A place where people could use circus as a tool to get fit, be sociable and develop skills – not just in circus but also physical literacies, positive risk-taking and general social skills.”

As former youth arts workers and professional circus artists, they recognised a pressing need to fill the gaps left by cuts to youth provision.

“We felt if we could subsidise youth classes from adult classes we could provide a vital service and provide some great value, making it accessible for all.

“That’s something we continue to do to this day – and pride ourselves on – with our Saturday youth circus is just £3 per young person. ”

This Girl Can at The Circus House

Over the years, The Circus House has evolved to meet the diverse needs of its members.

From the introduction of new classes catering specifically to women like This Girl Can to initiatives like The Women’s Wellbeing Circus, funded by the National Lottery, the organisation has continually expanded its offerings.

Inspiring and realising dreams

The impact of The Circus House extends far beyond its walls, touching lives and inspiring dreams.

“We have supported our young adult members in reaching their goals of attending Circus University or doing professional work outside of Manchester,” said Sian, beaming with pride.

“We love it when ex-students come back and share their new skills with us, inspiring future generations of budding circus artists.

“We also provide opportunities for a team of freelance arts workers and performers from our home in Longsight, but also by working with partners such as The Royal Northern College of Music and City of Sanctuary.”

Inclusivity at the heart of everything

Inclusivity lies at the core of The Circus House’s ethos, ensuring accessibility for participants of all backgrounds and abilities.

“We believe in the power and adaptability of circus,” says Sian.

“Anyone who needs adaptations or support is welcome to reach out, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them. We are always open to talking about how we can improve. We are by no means perfect or have found a perfect solution,  but we are lucky to have an amazing team that believes in inclusivity and the power and adaptability of circus.”

Volunteers and members form the backbone of The Circus House, passionately driving its mission forward.

“It provides a place to meet friends, to be artistic, and to develop specialist skills. It is a wonderful community to be part of.”

Collaborations and partnerships play a pivotal role in enhancing The Circus House’s programmes and reach.

“We are very lucky to have some wonderful community partners,” says Sian. “Nurturing these connections allows us to reach more people and share the magic of circus.

“Manchester’s third sector has so many wonderful groups doing so many fantastic sessions and outreach – we are always excited to meet new groups ”

Engagement with schools and youth groups has been instrumental in building empowerment and confidence.

“We have developed some lovely connections with local schools (both primary and high schools), the universities in Manchester and Salford, local scouts, and other youth groups.

“We find that circus brings empowerment to individuals, allowing them to participate actively, each “win” helps develop confidence in a fun and engaging manner. Circus helps to foster a cycle of positivity that enriches, circus teaching collaborative skills and the ability to work collectively irrespective of perceived barriers.

“I have seen the impact of directly working with young people with additional needs who were able to walk the tightwire when this was previously assumed to be an impossible task, through this achievement the young person is uplifted and is seen in a new light by their community and by themselves.

“Circus is a powerful tool and I am immensely proud to be part of this community.”

You can catch the Circus House in action at the Stoller Hall on Friday 26th April by clicking here

You can find The Circus House at Unit 40, Hamilton Rd, Longsight, Manchester M13 0PD and check out their website by clicking here