Dance Well

Physical inactivity costs the NHS over £450m per year (Gov, 2016) and is the leading cause of long-term health conditions such as coronary heart disease, Type II diabetes, cancer. Levels of adherence to “traditional” physical activity such as gym membership and seated exercises classes are suboptimal (Picorelli, Periera, Pereira, FelÍcio, Sherrington, 2014; Franco et al. 2016).

The creative arts are evidenced to act as agents of wellness and healing, through stimulation of creativity, and by incorporating music, movement, humour and aesthetics (2010, Malchiodi) and dance can therefore provide a creative, nurturing enjoyable alternative.

These issues have been amplified by the effects of the COVID19 pandemic, resulting in an even greater need for our work within the communities we serve. Many members of our Dance Well community are vulnerable, living with chronic health conditions including dementia, and many experience anxiety, isolation and loneliness. By increasing levels of physical activity through dance classes, while providing opportunities for social interaction and shared experiences, it may be possible to delay the onset or reduce the impact of disease and increase overall levels of physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Alongside the Dance Well participatory programme, Akademi delivers a hugely successful performance programme across a number of London hospitals, including a 24 year long-standing partnership with Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. Feedback from existing hospital programmes has demonstrated the positive impact these performances have on patients, visitors and staff alike.