Accessible dance for accessible wellbeing | Alice Gregory | TEDxNHS

Health & Well-being Benefits of Dance - Dance provides holistic benefits for well-being, improving mood, increasing heart rate, and connecting individuals [1][2] - Studies show dance can improve mental health in teenagers, reduce frailty in older adults, and decrease social isolation in young people [2] - Dance is being integrated into community and preventative healthcare through social prescribing [3] Accessibility Barriers - Many individuals face barriers to accessing dance, including physical limitations, financial constraints, and perceived lack of ability [4] - Existing dance classes may not be accessible to individuals with disabilities, forcing them to choose between enjoyment and accessibility [6] - Lack of funding is a significant barrier to arts for health activities [8] Solutions for Increased Accessibility - Dance teachers can communicate inclusively, deliver flexibly, and connect personally to make classes more accessible [14][15][16] - Healthcare leaders should prioritize funding for preventative health interventions like dance [17][18] - A simpler, more inclusive funding model is needed to support community dance organizations [19][20] Call to Action - Individuals are encouraged to incorporate dance into their lives to experience its well-being benefits [21][22] - Prioritizing accessibility allows more people to experience the benefits of collective movements [23][24]