Yorkshire Dance featured in new Cultures of Creative Health publication
Fri 31 January 2025Part of: Dance On | In Mature Company

A new publication by Huddersfield University recognises Yorkshire Dance’s extensive work in the area of creative health. The article explores Yorkshire Dance’s older adults dance programmes including the successful Dance On programme which provides tailored dance sessions that improve physical activity, mental well-being, and social connection. Supported by research from the University of Leeds, the programme has shown sustained health benefits, including increased activity levels, reduced fear of falling, and enhanced emotional well-being, while also developing our local creative workforce and informing a national toolkit for developing similar initiatives.
The article also explores our In Mature Company programme in dementia care homes and the impact of our piloted training for care home workers and Ageless Festival which promotes creative ageing through performances, workshops and discussions.
‘Cultures of Creative Health’ was launched alongside the West Yorkshire Creative Health Hub in January 2025. Backed by West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, the Creative Health Hub is the first of its kind across the region and will work with a consortium of external partners to raise the visibility and awareness of creative health and generate projects that can improve access to and delivery of creative health provision.
“I’m really proud that Yorkshire Dance’s work has been recognised in this publication. We’ve invested so much time, creativity and passion in building programmes that change people’s lives and contribute to the evidence base. There’s real momentum in West Yorkshire around creative health, and I’m delighted that Yorkshire Dance can provide both leadership and support in this area of work.”
– Hannah Robertshaw, Creative Director
You can view the full publication here, and find Yorkshire Dance’s contribution on pages 178-180.