The idea
Move Dance Feel offers free dance sessions centred around artistic practice, where local women come together in a creative community space to dance instead of talk about their cancer experience.
We want to provide dance sessions in two locations (City of London and Wandsworth), create a performance project, and disseminate research findings - sharing with the public the benefits of dance in this context. A pledge of just £5 will go a long way!
"When you have cancer, you lose touch with your body. It becomes unfamiliar - even worse, it starts to feel as if it is an enemy. For me, dancing started to bring me back to my own body and its energy, strength and basic joyfulness" - participant
Whilst all cancers are devastating, common cancers that affect women can be incredibly invasive with treatments causing complex repercussions. Dance offers a means of returning to the body and reclaiming control, taking back ownership and in the process reigniting lost connections.
What we'll deliver
- Offer dance sessions to women affected by cancer, including those supporting someone with cancer
- A performance project
- Develop partnerships with cancer support organisations, integrating dance into their activity programmes
- Disseminate research findings to contribute new knowledge to both the dance and health sectors
- Share Move Dance Feel with the public - generating new audiences
Why it's a great idea
Despite survival rates increasing, evidence shows that 70% of people struggle with negative physical and emotional side effects between one and ten years after cancer treatment. Such side effects can lead to other chronic health problems, social isolation and cancer reoccurrence.
Move Dance Feel research has revealed significant benefits of dance in this context - helping participants to feel more positive, confident, active and able. As a holistic form of physical activity, dance can increase wellbeing and combat negative side effects of cancer treatment such as fatigue and anxiety.
The performance project will be filmed and shared in local galleries and arts/health venues, to bring a sense of visibility to women who are often overlooked due to ill health. This can challenge negative preconceptions about life after cancer - inspiring others to dance.
This project is important for uniting and supporting local women in need, and for advocating for dance within cancer care services.
Steps to get it done
- Generate more awareness of, and support for, Move Dance Feel
- Make dance available to more women in need
- Run a performance project
- Engage new audiences
As a grassroots project (not yet a charity or company), it is a challenge to find funding for Move Dance Feel. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated and can make a considerable difference.
You can also help us by sharing this campaign! Thank you
