*TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE FADT SPREADING WINGS PROJECT*

I’ve always loved dance and dabbled in different types of dancing and contemporary dance is my favourite so this was a bit of a homecoming really.

I think what I love particularly is that it goes to the heart of what dancing is about for me: expressing feeling through movement. There isn’t that preoccupation with dance styles and physical ability and looks and talent and age.. dancing is for everyone.. the focus is on using dance to get in touch with our emotions, releasing them.

I really enjoy the way the workshops are structured and the opportunities to perform and also getting some insights into the different creative projects and I love being part of the group, being around people with similar mental health problems as myself. I’m also really interested in psychology, so it feels a natural place to be.

*HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT FADT? *  

I had mental health problems since childhood, a lot of anxiety, severe health anxiety, relationship addictions, OCD and others. I usually found ways to cope, I daydream a lot, that’s my drug, I learned a lot about psychology, also avoiding things which cause anxiety.   

Then during covid I wasn’t doing badly at first, despite knowing I might be more vulnerable because I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the past. I gave up my job and stayed at home. But then when I started to go back out again I was told to be careful because the vaccines might not work properly for me. That’s when the anxiety got really bad and I ended up being scared of everything, feeling trapped, too scared to do anything.   

A friend suggested joining the New Leaf program at Dial House where I got a lot of support. On a course about anxiety I met a lovely lady who was a member of FADT and she invited me to see a performance and encouraged me to join.   

*CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST WORKSHOP?*

My first workshop was with Paul in the Garret Theatre. I felt at home right away, I love the rehearsal atmosphere, in a way it was better because normal dance classes can be a bit overbearing. This was lovely and relaxed and we had that space to really get into the dancing and let it exist. I always love the guided improvisation tasks towards the end of the workshops and how it lets us find our own individual dance language. It felt good to be part of a group, working together in a safe space where everybody’s wellbeing is priority.

*WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE THAT IT MAKES FOR YOU?* 

It’s the environment, people are a lot more in touch with their emotions, what goes on inside. You can be yourself and feel safe. Being part of that community, connect with the others and interact and chat, not feeling isolated. I have quite a lot of social anxiety but it isn’t so obvious. 

Being part of the company, working with people directly and contributing to group activities and performances is giving me a lot of confidence which I never really had before. 

*TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PERFORMANCE*

My first performance was with the Empowering Women project on the Storyhouse main stage and was my first ever dance performance. It was contemporary dance based on improvisations, and we had some props and multimedia. I was leading some of the movement and quite worried I might mess up.

I was surprised how much I felt at home being on the stage. I used to do the odd solo ice-dance competition and always got awfully nervous. But this felt like I imagined performing should feel: I absolutely loved it and was able to really express myself.

*IF YOU WERE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO COME TO FADT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?* 

I would say it is a really lovely, open-minded, welcoming place where you can be yourself and make friends and find ways to express yourself and maybe heal yourself through dance and movement. 

*IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR FADT EXPERIENCE?* 

It is an amazing company and I feel very fortunate and privileged to be part of it and able to contribute.