The Project
A programme of dance activity for older adults running from February 2019 through to March 2020 in Hertfordshire.
Feedback from 2017 participants:
“I enjoyed meeting other groups and working together collaboratively. Having fun together.”
“Enjoyed trying new things with new people. A good experience.”
“I really enjoyed being part of a creative group”
This year the project includes:
- 2 one-day festivals (taster workshops in a variety of styles and performances by local groups)
- Commissioning 2 professional companies/artists to create new dance work on local adults
- Tour of the commissioned work and practical dance workshops in Sheltered Housing and community venues (led by local adults themselves with support of local artist)
- Investing in local practitioners training and support
The Team
The project is managed by BEEE Creative. BEEE Creative instigates, manages and delivers dance projects with an emphasis on physical, social, intellectual and emotional well-being and is a strong advocate of dance in schools and the community, working with partners and wider infrastructures to bring dance to a broad range of communities. BEEE Creative ran Dance Re:Ignite in 2017 that reached 200 participants and an audience of over 4000 people, including online sharing of work. www.beee-creative.co.uk
The activity is being delivered by a range of professional practitioners including: Moving Memory Dance Theatre, Danielle Teale, Diane Amans, Tim Casson and Tom Butterworth, Green Candle Dance. The activity is planned and supported by Dacorum Community Dance, Hertfordshire Sports Partnership, Saracens Sport Foundation (Love to Dance).
The Support
So far the project has received support from Arts Council England, Hertfordshire Music Service, Welwyn Hatfield Council, Watford Borough Council and Dacorum Borough Council.
We now need to raise a final £2,500 towards the overall project. This will go towards the cost of touring performances and workshops to ten Sheltered Housing and community venues, to offer opportunities for older adults to engage in dance that they would not otherwise have. The engagement in dance has a positive impact upon older adults lives, specifically on health and well-being factors including social, physical and psychological wellness.
(Photography: Simon Richardson)