Abstract

This 10-week dance and movement programme was developed as part of the Men’s Health Project, funded by the Arts Council, to support the rehabilitation process for residents in a substance misuse centre. Designed specifically for men undergoing treatment for drug and alcohol dependency, the project integrated structured physical activity with creative expression to promote physical health, emotional resilience, and social reconnection.

Delivered on-site and at the University of Sunderland by experienced dance practitioners, the sessions offered a safe, non-judgemental environment in which participants could re-engage with their bodies, build routine, and develop confidence through movement. The programme emphasised accessibility and participation, requiring no previous dance experience, and focused on themes relevant to recovery such as identity, strength, control, and transformation.

Alongside physical benefits—including improved coordination, stamina, and overall fitness—the project aimed to enhance mental wellbeing, reduce stress, and support emotional regulation. Group work fostered connection, trust, and a shared sense of achievement, contributing to wider goals of social reintegration and sustained recovery.

This initiative demonstrated the value of embedding arts-based, health-focused interventions within rehabilitation settings, affirming the potential of dance to act as a complementary therapeutic tool in substance misuse treatment programmes.