Building engagement in physical and
mental health through dance
Current situation
National research shows that girls become less active during their teenage years. Around 43% of girls who once saw themselves as sporty stop taking part in sport after primary school, and 85% of girls aged 11–17 do not meet the recommended daily level of physical activity.
Girls say they stop taking part because of:
body image worries
fear of being judged
low confidence
not feeling safe outside.
Many also feel that sport is too competitive, male-dominated, and not designed for their needs.
In our survey of 97 Young Females, only 20% had taken part in physical activity in the past four weeks. However, every participant who had been active said it improved their wellbeing and helped them cope with challenges in daily life.
Girls are often pushed out of sport by sexism, stereotypes, and environments that do not support them.
These barriers are even greater for girls living in disadvantaged communities, especially those from Black and minoritised backgrounds, who may face additional challenges such as cost, racism, limited local opportunities, and fewer safe spaces to be active. As a result, those who could benefit the most from physical activity often have the least access to it.
OUr approach
Project Female offers non-competitive, inclusive and youth-led dance provision.
We create an accessible entry point to physical activity, improving both mental wellbeing and long-term engagement in movement for Young Females who would not normally take part in sport.
Over the past 5 years we have worked with Young Females to design dance workshops which remove barriers to keeping physically active throughout teenage years.
What Sets Us Apart
Meeting Young Females where they are
Key to our approach is to work in places where Young Females already feel comfortable, in communities where there is a need for sport and physical activity. We create a safe and welcoming space where young females can be themselves.
Using social media to overcome fears of joining
We know being able to see what the workshops will look like before attending is a key factor to overcome young women’s anxiety. We use Tik Tok and Instagram to share content created by existing members.
No pressure taster sessions for new joiners
We know trying your hand at something in a familiar environment helps young women who may not otherwise feel comfortable engaging, so we regularly run taster sessions in neighbourhoods
Freedom to be who you are
Our teachers share similar lived experiences and treat participants with respect and as equals. There is no dress code, and we teach a range of dance styles, making our sessions accessible to Young Females from different backgrounds and experiences.
Mental health support
All of our teachers are mental health first aid trained. We always have a Wellbeing Officer available to provide pastoral care and contextual safeguarding, removing barriers to participation
Our impact
In the last 3 years we have supported 1075 young females to:
350 mental health check ins delivered
75 mental health first aid delivered
25 safeguarding interactions
61 % learned how to recognise how their mental health shows up in their bodies
52 % learned how to positively manage their mental health
92 % report greater mental health and wellbeing
Improve their physical and mental health
94% feel better able to communicate
73% have grown in confidence during their time at Project Female
68% have grown in agency during their time at Project Female
88% report greater confidence and agency in settings outside of Project Female
Grow in confidence and capabilities
between 2 and 7.5 hours per week.
over 14,000 hours of physical activity in total.
Engage in regular physical activity session