Community Benefit Fund: MORE HORIZONS
Arts for Health Bollywood Dance Workout Group Sessions - Buckinghamshire
About the project
The Arts for Health programme was awarded the community benefit fund to provide an innovative initiative developed by MORE HORIZONS Charity to use Bollywood dance and music for workout sessions. These group dance workout sessions were aimed to impact participants' health and well-being. Its focus was to improve physical activity and mental well-being, bring people together to encourage community cohesion, support social inclusion, and reduce isolation experienced by communities at risk of health inequalities.
Mission
To improve the health and well-being of the population experiencing health inequalities in Buckinghamshire by delivering innovative Bollywood dance workout sessions focusing on social inclusion and community cohesion by bringing people together.
Impact
The weekly Bollywood Dance workout group sessions with diverse communities impacted the community positively because they were suffering from the following issues:
- Buckinghamshire has pockets of significant economic, social and health deprivation concentrated in Gatehouse, Quarrendon and Southcourt wards in Aylesbury. Health inequalities are prominent, with life expectancy 3-5 years lower than the National average.
- Physical inactivity, leading to obesity and mental well-being issues, is an issue in the target population with a need for socially engaging community activities.
- COVID-19 rates were higher here, with a need for well-being projects to boost productivity and quality of life and to reduce the social and economic burden, including pressure on the already struggling NHS.
- The COVID-19 pandemic showed Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities disproportionately affected. The BAME population in Aylesbury is increasing (from 14% to 21%) due to new housing, highlighting a need to address cultural-specific issues. People from deprived areas and some BAME communities also have relatively poorer health and well-being, which needs addressing.
Moving forward
The next steps for this project is to continue encouraging the use of the Bollywood dance art for physical benefit in the communities who are most in need of it.
Also, to continue looking for funding to deliver the Bollywood dance workout sessions in other areas that need to improve their health and well-being.
“The Bollywood Dance Workout sessions was an innovative idea that we piloted and immediately we had an overwhelming response and high interest from participants who found it extremely beneficial for their physical health and mental well-being.
“We motivated our participants to attend, build their confidence and helped them to derive the benefits of this fun arts filled activity directly support improvement in physical activity and providing overall health and well-being benefits including social integration and community inclusion.
The Workout dance sessions using Bollywood music not only increased the heart rate with positive health benefits but also the smiles of participants was evidence of the positive mental well-being that ensued.
Not only did it bring about physical and mental well-being benefits but this programme also introduced a new art form to many individuals who are planning to go on and pursue Bollywood dance training as a fun hobby activity and encourage their own family members and communities to use the dance workout for health benefits.
The grant from the LHC Community Benefit Fund awarded by Locality has had a direct impact on bringing about the intended tri-fold benefit –
- Improving physical activity and health
- Improving mental wellbeing
- Community cohesion and reducing social isolation by bringing communities closer”
Quote from Supriya More – Lead facilitator for the Arts for Health – Bollywood Dance Workout Sessions.
About LHC Community Benefit Fund
In each region, LHC members have the opportunity to create and distribute a Community Benefit Fund generated from the rebate they receive if they spend over a specified threshold on LHC frameworks. In each region LHC appoint an independent community benefit agency to work with members to find a local charity partner. For London and the South East, LHC works closely with specialist community support network Locality. Now in its fourth year, the fund has invested in excess of £325,000 in 51 community projects, targeting a diverse range of needs.
For more information on Locality and their work, visit: www.locality.org.uk.
