A group of up to 20 young offenders step into a dance studio for the first time in their lives. For many it’s probably their last chance. For the next 12 weeks they work with a team of dedicated dance artists and teachers. The work is tough. It’s physically exhausting, emotionally draining and includes research, study and written project work. It culminates in dance performances that allows for no compromise in terms of artistic excellence. The dancers emerge from the experience as changed individuals; more self-confident, disciplined and respectful of themselves and others and with a new focus as they face the future.

Since Dance United launched its award-winning Academy programme in Bradford in 2006, over 200 young offenders who were teetering on the brink completed the programme. Many have not reoffended and have gone on to further education, training or have entered the workplace. Dance has transformed their lives..

But this is not the only success story. As well as transforming lives, the Academy programme has also firmly established Dance United as one of the foremost and innovative companies working in the arts for social development today.

This project has been a shining light in his life giving him a new start.
A participant’s family member