FADT have given me a safe place, ways to manage my mental health and opportunities
beyond my wildest dreams. They have given me the chance to hopefully make a
difference of some kind to other people who have experienced issues with addiction
and mental health and to help to raise awareness of how much of an impact movement
can make to people.

My first workshop was at the end of February 2023. I was in the fortunate position of
having seen a demonstration and already knowing a couple of members who had
recommended FADT to me, however I was still very nervous about meeting a lot of new
people and trying a form of dance I had not experienced before. However, as soon as
we did the first check-in I realised that this was exactly what I needed. I had never done
breath work before and was amazed at how much such simple exercises can de-stress
you and make you feel lighter. I have always been nervous about improvisation so to try
that at the end of the session could have been nerve-wracking, but the way PBK went
about explaining it actually resulted in it being exactly the opposite and it became a way
to get a lot of issues out of my system. I came away from that first session feeling
incredibly relaxed and happy.

I think this depends on how people define a “performance”. For me a performance is
anywhere when we are moving in front of people, so my first one would have been at the
convention at Liverpool Hope University in June 2023. I do have a background in
performing arts, but that did not (and does not) stop me from being nervous, however
the other members of FADT who were taking part were incredibly supportive and the
feeling of satisfaction afterwards was amazing. So much so, that by that point I felt
comfortable in taking part in the Q and A session, which was equally as important. I felt
that we had demonstrated the power that movement has for people with addiction and
mental health issues and for this performance we were doing it in a space where
everyone had experience of these in one way or another.

Moving/performing with FADT gives me a personal sense of achievement, particularly
when I can say that I honestly feel that I have improved on a technical level, but more
importantly, FADT gives me a sense of emotional stability and this has probably had the
biggest impact on my life.

It’s understandable to be nervous, but FADT provides one of the safest spaces I have
encountered since being in recovery. Any new thing you try once in recovery can make
you nervous, but come along for a chat, ask any questions as all are happy to chat, just
watch a session if that makes you feel comfortable, or give it a go without worrying
about how you move, just try to enjoy the movement itself.

If anyone had told me that 18 months after joining I would have made the progress that I
have, I would not have been able to believe them. I am incredibly proud to have
performed/moved in places/situations where we can get the message across of the
power of movement for people in addiction and/or with mental health issues. I am
proud to say that I have made progress enough to have now done my Supporting Angel
training and hope to be able to prove the team right in their choice. I could go on forever
about some of the performing opportunities, which have been amazing, but for me,
getting the message out there and raising people’s awareness of (and de-stigmatising)
addiction and mental health is the more important side of FADT. I honestly feel that I
have found a second family who I love with all my heart. Thank you FADT!