Following the successful completion of Harrow Change Makers Round 1, we received funding from Young Harrow Foundation to deliver free Indian dance workshops in conjunction with psychotherapy as a therapeutic activity for young people living in Harrow aged 6-18, including those with SEND.
The workshops run for 20 weeks, from January to July 2025, during school term time. They take place at the Greenhill Library, Wealdstone Youth Centre and Shaftesbury High School, targeting deprived areas of Harrow and reaching young people from BAME backgrounds facing social, economic, and health inequalities, as well as those identifying as LGBTQ+.
The programme focusses on various aspects of development, designed to improve cognitive skills, balance, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Hand gestures and facial expression sequences enable participants to express their inner selves and release emotions. The workshop content is thematic and appropriate for different ages and abilities, allowing important topics to be explored through creative movement rather than difficult conversations.
The workshops also incorporate yoga, meditation and mindfulness to promote mental health and overall well-being, helping participants build resilience and equipping them with essential tools to cope with stress and life’s challenges. Our project establishes a safe and supportive space for BAME individuals within a workshop setting, utilising dance therapeutically to address and overcome experiences of trauma and fear.
Emotional safety is regarded as equally important as physical safety. Many BAME LGBTQ+ individuals experience significant challenges in navigating their sexual identity, often due to a lack of family support. Dance provides a vital form of non-verbal communication, enabling participants to express their emotions and release suppressed feelings. One-to-one counselling is available for participants who wish to seek additional support.
Participants have the opportunity to sit the Primary examination in Bharatanatyam, conducted by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) (www.istd.org). This accredited qualification offers a sense of achievement for their commitment to the project. Participants are also offered opportunities to perform at their own school (Shaftesbury High School) and at Srishti’s performance showcase in the summer.
‘I liked everything, the animals, story, music and dance.’
(Aged 7)
‘It made me feel excited and happy.’
(Specially abled, aged 12)
‘I felt calm and I would join the workshops again.’
(Specially abled, aged 15)
‘The workshops are excellent.’
(Aged 6)
‘I learned how to warm up and it made me feel good.’
(Specially abled, Aged 18)
‘I learned how to use my body for dancing.’
(Specially abled, aged 14)
‘I felt energised while participating in the workshops and felt very peaceful afterwards. The workshops helped me develop more interest in dancing and learn more about Bharatanatyam. It’s just fun.’
(Aged 12)
‘I felt wonderful and happy. I have been moving my body and have become more active because of the workshops.’
(Aged 9)
‘Overall, it was a great and amazing experience.’
(Age 8)
‘It made me feel very happy and tranquil.’
(Age 12)