As a Grants Development Worker one of the best parts of my job is being able to go out and see the amazing work of the VCSE organisations that we have funded. Last year, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre invited me to attend their Recovery in Motion Project performance which was funded through the Achieve Asset grant.
The Achieve Asset grants were awards up to £15,000 for VCSE organisations in Bolton, Salford and Trafford who are dedicated to engaging and supporting the recovery community, as well as challenging stigma around addiction. In February 2022, Fallen Angels were awarded an Achieve Asset grant to deliver weekly movement, dance, and mindfulness activities and workshops.
The event was held at The Octagon, an amazing modern theatre and creative venue in the heart of Bolton, said to be the first theatre to be built in the North West after the Second World War. The performance started off by the group demonstrating how they warm up at a usual session. Group leader Paul asked the group to stand in a circle and directed three different breathing exercises, including ones which incorporated body movement and stretches. After these, Paul asked how people felt to which responses were all really positive. The group said they felt relaxed and that the sensations were beautiful and mesmerising like waves. Just from watching them, I felt like I was meditating whilst listening to the relaxing gentle music and watching their hypnotic movements.
After the warmup, group leader Trixie explained to the audience what the group had been working on and how the performance we were lucky enough to be about to watch had been created. Over 10 weeks, the group had been working together exploring movements in their bodies, experimenting with shapes and space, and using this to let their feelings come to life.
The group performance was brilliant, you could clearly see how participants were using this contemporary movement to express themselves, as well as showing how they connect with one another. One part of the performance which really stuck with me was when the dancers would move across the stage and touch another performer in order for them to start moving again. This illustrated beautifully how being at peace with ourselves is important but also how the help, support and love from others is invaluable to our health, wellbeing and general happiness and in this case, recovery. It was a really moving performance as well as really relaxing for the audience to watch, or for me anyway.
After the performance, dancers were given the opportunity to share how the group and movement classes had made a difference to them. Here are some of the things they said:
“I have learnt to voice personal difficulties and have been helped by how flexible the leader is. I don’t see myself as a dancer but I really enjoy coming to these sessions.”
“It has been really good for my personal development because it helps me to feel less scared and connect with others”
Another performer explained how the sessions had helped her physically to become more flexible as well as helping her mind. At the start of the programme, she spent most time in a chair, but by the end of the 10 weeks, performed standing up for over 3 minutes.
Other people commented how attending Fallen Angels was important to them as they were dedicating times to themselves and their personal development.
Everyone was in agreement that they wanted to do the programme again and all had really positive things to say about Fallen Angels and their group leaders, Paul, Maddie, and Trixie.
Working at Salford CVS I will always be an advocate for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector and the vital role our groups play in supporting our communities. Being able to attend Fallen Angels’ performance and hearing first hand from attendees the difference it has made to them really brought the importance of the sector home.
Whilst working on the Achieve grant, I have often heard VCSE sector organisations being referred to as ‘the bridge to normal living’. They are support systems, activities to help keep people distracted, social hubs to meet others and plenty more, which people access after receiving treatment helping them to maintain their recovery and feel connected to something other than their previous addictions. Recovery is more than treatment, and Fallen Angels’ performance clearly demonstrates this.
Spaces available - Recovery in Motion: Bolton & Salford
Come along to Fallen Angels Dance Theatre’s FREE workshops from January - March 2023 at:
BOLTON: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft S, Bolton, BL1 1SB On Tuesdays - 1 - 3pm
SALFORD: StART Brunswick House, 62 Broad Street, M6 5BZ On Thursdays - 11am - 1pm
We are an innovative charity run by people with lived experience of addiction and/or mental health adversity. Explore recovery through mindfulness and movement. We need to help VCSE organisations be able to continue this imperative work for our communities and help more people overcome their addictions and struggles. Well done Fallen Angels and keep up the amazing work. If you wish to find out more about the organisation you can visit their website and social media accounts, as well as YouTube, where you can gain a better understanding of the movement classes on offer.
If you are a VSCE organisation who are dedicated to supporting those in recovery from addiction, please visit the Achieve website for information on the launch of the next round of our Asset grant. These grants are for organisations based in Bolton, Salford and Trafford, and funding up to £15,000 is available. If you have links to the recovery community, please share this page to any organisation who may be eligible and wish to apply.
https://achievebst.salfordcvs.co.uk/content/asset-fund
Deadline for submission of Achieve Asset grant applications – 24th February, 12 noon
Photo credit – Brian Slater