Starting 14th September 2026: Older adults in Newport and Pontypool will be able to take part in a new 22-week dance programme designed to improve strength, balance and confidence, as Iechyd Da-wns! | Dance to Health expands in Wales.

 

Created by the late Tim Joss of Aesop Arts & Society, the programme, delivered by Yma | Artis and Ballet Cymru with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Arts in Health Team, will run weekly classes from September 2026 at The Riverfront Theatre, Newport, and the Widdershin Centre, Pontypool.

 

It will also offer short taster sessions in community and in-patient settings, with an online pilot due to begin in September for people in hospital wards, people who are managing frailty or falls risk at home.

 

At a glance:

• Who it is for: Older people who want to enjoy improving strength, balance and confidence.

• Where: The Riverfront Theatre, Newport, and the Widdershin Centre, Pontypool.

• When: Weekly sessions starting 14th September in the Widdershin Centre, Pontypool, 10.30am – 12.30pm and in the Riverfront Theatre, Newport, 2-4pm.

• How it works: Take part in a 4-week taster to see if it’s for you and if it is, you can join an 18-week structured course, using creative dance and falls-prevention exercise principles.

• Cost: £5 per session or pay what you can. Pay for the full 18 weeks structured course and pay only for 16!

 

How to take part:

Older people, families, carers and referral partners can enquire about places, eligibility, accessibility and the online pilot by contacting: d2h@artiscommunity.org.uk or speak to one of the friendly YMa | Artis team on 01443 490390.

 

 

 

 

Photo of people moving in a Dance to Health session
A Dance to Health session

 

The arts and health programme originally developed by Aesop uses joyful, creative dance movements to help older people build strength, balance and confidence, and reduce the risk of falls. Participants can self-refer into the programme, and the first sessions are now running.

To book a place, please email d2h@artiscommunity.org.uk

This project follows on from ground-breaking work by Aesop in Swansea and the UK, where participants have said:

  • “Just what the doctor should have ordered… exercise with a smile!”
  • “My walking, posture and balance feels better and safer than before”
  • “Dance to Health lifts my spirits and benefits my body! It’s as simple as that!"
  • “I found that the dance movements were covering all the individual exercises that the physio had recommended but they were now enjoyable and not a chore”
  • “No matter what mood I arrive in, I leave with a smile on my face… It’s the highlight of the week. I wouldn’t miss this for the world”

Strictly Come Dancing Star Amy Dowden joined the Swansea class in January to promote how creativity and arts in healthcare can have a major impact: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgezg859zgqo 

You can watch a film about the project here: https://vimeo.com/1092827059

In 2020, Aesop commissioned independent evaluation from Sheffield Hallam University about this programme, and findings from the research show that:

  • Dance to Health is helping older people in danger of falling overcome lost confidence, reduced independence and increased isolation
  • There was a 58% reduction in the number of falls, positive improvements in participants' physical and mental wellbeing, including improved Timed Up and Go (TUG) times (an average reduction in time of 20%), a reduced fear of falling (over 10% improvement in the percentage of individuals classed as "low concern") and a small improvement in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scores (an increase of over one point, from a score of 71.1 to a follow-up average score of 72.3).

Additionally, based on the analysis conducted, there is a potential cost saving of over £196m over a 2-year period, of which £158m is a potential cost saving for the NHS. Dance to Health's fidelity to existing physiotherapy programmes was also confirmed.

Read more here: Dance to Health Report

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