The Glitter Project: How A Spark Became a Nationwide Creative Movement

Discover how The Glitter Project, has grown into a national initiative with a network of safe, supportive creative hubs across the UK—empowering women and non-binary people through mentoring, open mics and community-driven artistic spaces.

In 2022, comedian, writer, and Funny Women non-executive board director Jo Fletcher-Cross was diagnosed with a grade-4 glioblastoma brain tumour. She had been preparing for her first full Edinburgh Fringe run when life changed overnight. Rather than let the diagnosis dim her creative light, Jo and the Funny Women team chose to transform fear into purpose.

What emerged from that moment of courage was The Glitter Project — a safe, supportive, joyful space where women and non-binary creatives could find their voice, connect with community, and shine.

“All I have ever wanted to do is find joy, laughter and a bit of sparkle along the way in life,” says Jo. “I’m thrilled The Glitter Project will help fabulous funny women keep the laughter going for many years to come.”

Backed by Arts Council England and the BBC Comedy Fund, the project premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a platform for welcoming workshops, open mics, mentoring sessions, and community gathering — a creative safe space where boldness could grow.

A Glittering Beginning: From Fringe Pilot to Nationwide Network

What began as a festival debut soon evolved into something much larger. The response to the Edinburgh Fringe support programme made one thing clear: women and non-binary people needed more accessible, local, year-round spaces to connect and create.

In late 2024, The Glitter Project launched six major hubs across England, each supported by a regional producer with deep local knowledge:

⭐ The Glitter Project Hubs

• London – Offering regular Mentoring Meetups and performance opportunities in the capital’s thriving creative scene.
• Medway – The originating hub where we are based, a welcoming space for emerging performers outside London’s orbit, offering low-pressure creative gatherings.
• Brighton – A vibrant home for experimental comedy and alternative performance, also home for Funny Women’s long established pro-night at Komedia.
• Birmingham – Bringing accessible workshops and open-mic nights to the heart of the Midlands.
• Bristol – A grassroots creative melting pot for writers, comics and multi-disciplinary performers.
• Manchester – A fast-growing northern hub known for its warmth, openness and newcomer-friendly sessions.

Each hub reflects the character of its city — but they are united by a shared mission: to give women and non-binary creatives a safe place to grow.

“We wanted to meet people where they are — in their own communities — and give them a safe place to grow creatively.”

What The Glitter Project Offers

The Project centres around accessible, low-pressure sessions that make creativity feel possible for everyone:

🌟 Mentoring Meetups

Supportive, informal gatherings where experienced performers and writers share advice, answer questions, and help newcomers build their skills and confidence.

🌟 Inclusive Open Mics

Warm, safe performance spaces where participants can try out comedy, storytelling, writing, or spoken word — whether it’s their first time on stage or a new direction in their craft.

🌟 Workshops & Industry Panels

Skill-building sessions and panel discussions in writing, performance, wellbeing and creative resilience, tailored to each hub’s community needs with input from local and national experts.

“When people walk into a Glitter Project session nervous and walk out glowing, that’s the magic. That’s why we do it.”

The Impact: Creativity, Connection, and Confidence

Across the country, The Glitter Project has made a visible, heartfelt difference.

✨ 1. Lowering Barriers to Creativity

By spreading across six regions, the project makes creative development affordable, local and accessible.

✨ 2. Growing Confidence & Wellbeing

Participants report greater self-belief, increased resilience, and renewed creative joy.

✨ 3. Building Local Creative Ecosystems

Each hub has developed its own unique creative community — from Brighton’s experimental spark to Birmingham’s collaborative warmth.

✨ 4. Encouraging Creative Risk-Taking

The safe-space ethos means it’s okay to try, fail, learn, and try again — without judgement.

✨ 5. Creating Real, Tangible Outcomes

Many participants have:

• performed live for the first time
• written new material
• formed creative partnerships
• re-entered the arts after time away
• developed ongoing performance or writing routines
• entered the Funny Women Awards

“Every hub develops its own personality, but the message is the same everywhere: you belong here.”

What’s Next for The Glitter Project?

Funny Womes founder Lynne Parker describes the long-term vision as establishing a sustainable, industry-supported resource ensuring creative access for anyone who needs it, regardless of background or financial means.

Plans for 2026–2027 include:

• expanding into new cities
• offering more writing and development workshops
• developing creative wellbeing and resilience programming
• deepening connections between hubs and the wider comedy industry

One thing is certain: The Glitter Project is no longer just an initiative.

It’s a movement — built on courage, community, and the unstoppable belief that everyone deserves a place to shine.

“It’s more than workshops and open mics — it’s a space to experiment, to fail safely, to try again, and to be supported.”

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of our regional team who run The Glitter Project, please click on the QR code below.

THANK YOU!