DanceWest, Dance for Everyone, Everybody.
Our mission is to engage people of all ages and abilities in high quality dance activity, improve the mental, physical health and wellbeing of all people through dance. We believe that dance enriches lives and is the catalyst for positive change in our community. Simply dance for everyone and everybody.
DanceWest is an award winning charity that has pioneered high-quality dance programmes since 2014 offering a creative response to issues including poor health, socio-economic disadvantage and unequal access to physical activity. DanceWest was founded by Rosie Whitney-Fish with a mission to enable everyone to have access to dance.
We provide free & low cost dance, health and wellbeing activities co-designed with participants and partners. Transforming the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and diverse communities. Our sole aim is to keep our community healthy and happy by participating in dance.
Key facts
We engage 30,000 people each year in 76 weekly classes.
Our community programmes are delivered across seven London boroughs: Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston and Westminster.
DanceWest opened a community dance studio at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham in 2022.
DanceWest was nominated and shortlisted for the One Dance UK Health & Wellbeing award and Rosie Whitney-Fish, our Founder for the One Dance UK Spotlight award in 2022.
In 2024 we became the nominated charity for the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham.
In 2024 we changed our constitution to enable us to collaborate with partners across the UK.
Our work has been featured in The Guardian, Evening Standard, Marie Clare and London Live.
We are a member of London Youth, Sported, One Dance UK & People Dancing.
DanceWest vision
‘Dance has the power to change everyone’s lives and we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access it’.
Rosie Whitney-Fish, Founder.
Our vision is to encourage everyone to participate in dance
We use dance to respond to local and individual need
DanceWest is open and accessible to everyone.
Our vision is delivered through a programme of non-profit making:
Community Dance, Health & Wellbeing Programmes: responding to local need to improve health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation among older people, provide safe and inclusive dance activity for young people with disabilities and tackle physical inactivity among children and young people.
Dance Classes: providing affordable dance classes for children, young people and adults.
School & University projects: supporting dance in and outside the curriculum, creating work experience and training opportunities for the next generation of dance professionals.
Performances: curating and producing performances and bespoke dance events.
DanceWest Professional Network: offering professional development, employment and networking opportunities.
DanceWest Company Values & Behaviours
In our activities we follow three principles: Respect, Kindness and Fun.
1.Integrity and Transparency: We prioritise honesty and openness in all our interactions, both internally and externally. We strive to maintain transparency in our operations, decision-making, and use of resources.
2. Respect and Inclusivity: We value and embrace the diversity of our colleagues, volunteers, beneficiaries, and stakeholders. We foster an inclusive environment that respects individuals' perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
3. Collaboration & Teamwork: We believe in the power of working together towards common goals. We actively encourage collaboration among colleagues, partners, and communities to maximize our collective impact.
4. Empathy and Compassion: We approach our mission with empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those we serve. We respond to their needs with compassion and sensitivity.
5. Accountability and Responsibility: We take responsibility for our actions and commitments. We hold ourselves accountable for delivering on our promises and achieving measurable outcomes.
6. Innovation and Adaptability: We continuously seek innovative solutions to address social issues effectively. We embrace change and remain adaptable to evolving circumstances and needs.
7. Excellence and Impact: We are committed to achieving excellence in all aspects of our work, from service delivery to organizational efficiency. We strive for lasting, positive impacts on the lives of those we serve.
8. Stewardship and Sustainability: We are dedicated stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We ensure that our efforts are sustainable and have a lasting influence on the communities we support.
9. Learning and Growth: We foster a culture of learning, where continuous growth and improvement are encouraged for both individuals and the organization as a whole.
10. Advocacy and Empowerment: We advocate for systemic change and empower individuals and communities to become agents of change themselves, promoting self-sufficiency and long-term progress.
