Round in Circles Productions CIC
Connecting isolated people through dance
Connecting older, isolated, marginalised people at high-risk of Covid via dance workshops, filmmaking, social interaction, physical activity, and community arts.
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About the project
Round in Circles Productions CIC in Margate make immersive, transformative participatory dance-theatre and film work which brings people together, building audiences, community and creative industries in Kent.
We awarded Round in Circles Productions CIC a grant of £5,000 for their participatory arts project, Distant Harmony that connects older, isolated, marginalised people at high-risk of Covid via dance workshops, filmmaking, social interaction, physical activity, and community arts for participants who must maintain distancing.
The project gave people something to care about and invest in, supporting their mental health through being part of something uplifting and having something to look forward to. In what was a very difficult time with being isolated for so long, it gave them a reason to be their best selves and move their bodies.
“Being part of the creative process helped the participants process traumatic feelings about being isolated during the lockdown. The film will live on as a testament to the participants and memory of what we have all been through and will continue to create impact for the participants and beyond, rippling through the community.” Anna Symes, Artistic Director
Beneficiary story
Dorothy Hale, 87 lives alone and before Covid, went out regularly to local dance events.
Lockdown was a very lonely time for her on top of which she had to manage health issues. Through lack of activity these worsened. This project gave her something to look forward to and in her words made her feel ‘visible and important’. As part of the process Dorothy made a special effort and got her hair done, specially curated her outfit for filming and brought her best dance moves to the table, which helped her feel like her old self. Her feelings at the start and end of the project went through a notable transformation, she expressed raw joy over the lovely time she had at the dance event and looked healthy and happier in her body too.
Dorothy said that this project “brought me back to life.”
