From its very first steps, Family Dance has been about connection - bringing people together through movement, creativity, and joy.

Where It Began

Our Executive Producer of Communities and Partnerships, Sally, spoke to the team at Whitleigh Four Greens Community Trust, keen to provide a provision for the surrounding community and families that live there. Whitleigh Four Greens Community Trust is an incredible asset to the community, and offers a huge amount of regular sessions, groups and networks, as well as community kitchen, a food bank and wellbeing services for all ages. The Barbican Theatre was keen to ensure that everyone is able to access high quality arts engagement and in collaboration with FGCT, we developed Family Dance. We wanted to create a project that breaks down barriers to the arts, where movement could be shared across generations. 

Unlike traditional dance classes, Family Dance invites parents, guardians, and children to move together. Sessions are free, inclusive, and finished with a community lunch - ensuring that families experiencing food poverty have access to a nourishing weekend meal as well as an active, creative morning.

Growing Communities

The first sessions in Whitleigh saw children trying dance for the very first time, building confidence, making new friends, and developing new skills. Families began to connect outside the classes too, turning sessions into the heart of a growing community.

Led by experienced freelance dance facilitators, the sessions celebrate diversity and inclusion, with a wide range of dance styles and accessible approaches. Their expertise has been central to creating welcoming, supportive spaces.

Following two successful terms in Whitleigh, the programme expanded into Southway Youth and Community Centre and ELM Community Centre & Wellbeing Hub, offering taster sessions to new families and creating opportunities for more freelance dance artists.

Our first academic year of Family Dance culminated in a Family Dance Festival held in FGCT, co-designed with our participants. We worked with our families to create a celebration of the community, and an opportunity to come together to dance, craft, play and enjoy a BBQ!

The Impact So Far

• 111 participants across three community centres in the first year
• 28 attendees at the Family Dance Festival
• 8 freelance dance artists contracted to deliver sessions
  

Looking Ahead

Family Dance is continuing to grow, with exciting plans to expand into more neighbourhoods and reach more families. This Christmas, we’ll be offering special festive sessions both at Barbican Theatre and in community centres across Plymouth.

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with upcoming Family Dance opportunities - and come join us in moving, creating, and celebrating together.

If you’d like more information about Family Dance, email sally@barbicantheatre.co.uk or visit our website: https://barbicantheatre.co.uk/communities/family-dance-sessions/