One Meeting, Many Ripples: Community Power Through Partnership

At Dance Network Association (DNA), we often talk about the power of partnership — and this year, funding support from Anglian Community Trust (ACT) alongside Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures’ Doorstep Duets project has shown exactly how meaningful that power can be.

Thanks to ACT’s investment in a new Dancing with Dementia programme delivered in Wivenhoe, Colchester this season, we were able to deliver 10 high-quality, inclusive dance sessions for 30 people living with dementia and their companions.

Participants reported improved mood, increased movement, and a stronger sense of belonging. Companions and carers consistently tell us how valuable it is to share a joyful, creative experience together something that feels human, social, and uplifting rather than clinical (DNA Impact Report 2025).

The investment has not only enabled these classes to take place, but has also helped build new relationships that are already shaping the future of our work in 2026 and beyond.

One of those relationships began at an ACT networking meeting, where I (Gemma, CEO of DNA) met Bernard from Colchester Borough Homes (CBH). That single conversation has since grown into something really special for residents at Elfreda House and across CBH.

Starting small: Doorstep Duets at Elfreda House

Our first piece of work together was bringing Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures: Doorstep Duets to Elfreda House. MBNA have worked with DNA year on year since Covid, bringing high-quality professional dance experiences into care settings.

As our relationship with Bernard began to bloom, we took his lead on where Doorstep Duets might be best placed this summer, hosting performances within a number of Colchester Borough Homes for their residents.

This gentle, one-to-one dance experience allowed residents to engage with professional dance, music, and human connection in a calm, personal way.

The performance also created space for conversations between DNA, care staff, and residents about what else might be possible beyond Doorstep Duets. For DNA, it offered invaluable insight into the spaces, residents’ needs, and the kind of creative activity that would work best in that setting.

The response was incredibly positive. Residents engaged warmly, staff were supportive, and it quickly became clear that there was an appetite for something more regular.

From 'Doorstep Duets' to dancing together

Following the success of Doorstep Duets, DNA were invited back into Elfreda House via Julie Bernard and the residents themselves (all pictured above) and are now delivering monthly seated dance sessions at Elfreda House, a new paid programme funded by CBH. These sessions bring residents together through gentle creative dance sessions, music and shared creativity, supporting wellbeing, confidence and social connection.

What began as a sparked conversation in a meeting has grown into an ongoing programme a brilliant example of how testing ideas carefully, listening to communities, and building trust can lead to sustainable, meaningful work.

Ideas that keep growing

Another initiative born from that same ACT networking meeting is Winter Warmers — DNA’s new online, seated dance session designed to support older adults through the colder months.

While Winter Warmers isn’t currently directly funded by ACT or CBH, it exists because ACT created the space for conversation, idea-sharing, and collaboration. That kind of indirect impact is just as powerful.

Bernard and I spoke about how powerful it could be to stream creative dance sessions into all Colchester Borough Homes venues, reaching as many residents as possible. With Bernard’s ambition and DNA’s passion, we’re now working towards making this a reality — with the aim of reaching all CBH residents in 2026.

These online classes are not just for CBH residents — they’re open to any adult who can access Zoom. You don’t even need to live in Essex; participants can join us from anywhere nationally.

See here for more information: ONLINE CREATIVE DANCE FOR ADULTS | Dance Network Assoc

Stronger relationships, deeper impact

ACT’s support has helped DNA move from working alongside organisations to working with them. While some of our dancing activity such as long-standing sessions at Enoch House existed before, the relationships we now have with CBH are deeper, more collaborative and more ambitious because of ACT’s involvement.

Looking ahead

At present, the work at Elfreda House and Winter Warmers is being piloted, allowing us to test what works best for residents, carers, and care teams. As we look beyond February, we’ll be exploring future funding opportunities to sustain and grow this work and we’d love to continue that journey alongside ACT.

We’re incredibly grateful to ACT Anglian Community Trust for believing in our work, connecting people, and helping turn small pilots into lasting impact and to Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures for our longstanding partnership. Our groups are already curious about what they might experience in 2026.

Sometimes, one meeting really can be a little gem 😉

Gemma Wright

CEO, Dance Network Association