Dance for social action

Current situation

In recent years, progress on gender equality has gone into reverse. Girls and young women in the UK are facing rising misogyny that affects their safety, education and confidence.

Most girls now change their behaviour to avoid harassment, and many miss school as a result. Schools report girls becoming quieter in class and disengaging altogether.

At the same time, youth services that once offered safe spaces, trusted relationships and positive role models have been cut back dramatically. Girls in deprived areas are now the least likely to access support.

Meanwhile, social media platforms intensify appearance pressure, online abuse and isolation. Together, these forces are shaping a generation of young women who feel unsafe, unseen and reluctant to speak out, especially at a critical stage of their development.

OUr approach

There’s clear evidence that when girls feel a sense of agency, gender inequality starts to shift. Young females need safe, supportive spaces where they can talk about their lives, feel heard and build trusted relationships with adults who believe in them.

Taking part in social action helps young females feel confident and capable. It builds resilience, supports wellbeing and reduces loneliness.

Creative approaches work especially well because they’re inclusive and accessible, engaging young females who may struggle with traditional, talk‑heavy programmes, including those with mental health needs or who are neurodivergent.

Our response is a female‑only social action dance theatre programme. Through movement, girls explore their experiences, reconnect with their bodies and express what they want to change. Together, they turn their ideas into powerful performances and films that amplify their voices and inspire wider social change.

Driving Meaningful Change

As part of Project Inspire young females get to:

    • Choose the themes of the projects

    • Contribute to the research by sharing thoughts and feelings

    • Express authentic voice by identifying what needs to change

    • Linking the output to social action in the real world

    • Identifying what do they want to be different

  • Being a member of a dance company

    Develop meaningful relationships with other young females

    Build trust with safe adults

    Be a part of a supportive community

    Create change within the community

    Build a sense of responsibility for other young females in the community

    Give and receive mutual respect from each other and for ourselves.

    • Develop skills for using creative methods for expressing social issues and what needs to change

    • Grow in confidence

    • Improved communication

    • Develop team working skills

    • Learn to problem solving both creatively and socially

    • Build resilience by completing the projec

    • Learn about choreographic skills and how to build movement from emotions

What Sets Us Apart

Unlocking Potential

Youth voice is central to everything we do, from our co‑creative programmes to our Youth Advisory Board. We are committed to empowering young females to express themselves with confidence and to amplify their voices, from the studio to the stage.

Creating Connection

Our community of over 300 young females is built through small, group‑based projects that support trust and connection. Participants form meaningful relationships with peers and safe adults, and can stay involved for as long as it feels right for them.

Driving Change

Young females build confidence and practical skills by using creative approaches to explore and call for social change. Through this, they develop communication, teamwork, problem‑solving skills, and stronger mental wellbeing.

Our impact

  • 100% said they had an improved sense of agency to make changes within their communities

  • 92% report greater mental health and wellbeing

  • 88% report greater confidence and agency in settings outside of Project Female

  • 72% said being part of Project Female made them feel like a strong, valuable young female.

Increased autonomy

  • 94% feel able to express their thoughts as part of the creative process

  • 84% said they valued how supportive everyone at Project Female is.

  • 73% have grown in confidence during their time at Project Female

  • 72% said it gave them something to look forward to each week

Improved sense of belonging

  • 94% said their social action project had benefit for their community.

  • 68% said it was really important to be in a space exclusively for young females.

Increase competancy to affect change