Who we are
Life Dance Community Limited was established by a group of people who believe that social isolation and loneliness are serious public health issues, and that dance is a practical and joyful way to address them. Research links chronic loneliness to a range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and anxiety disorders, making it as harmful to long-term health as smoking or high blood pressure.
The organisation's vision is to prevent and reduce the harm of diseases associated with loneliness and social isolation by growing meaningful social connections through dance. It operates without celebrity-style leadership, and describes its organisation as its community: participants, facilitators, administrators, a board, and partners, all working together. Life Dance Community is committed to ensuring that access to social connection and wellbeing does not depend on money, age, or physical ability.
The organisation serves a broad community of people who are lonely or socially isolated, including First Nations people, refugees, stroke survivors, older people, people living with dementia or physical disability, people experiencing mental health challenges, people with a history of trauma, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, and people with substance use disorders. Sessions are open to anyone aged thirteen and over, with no dance experience required.
What we do
Life Dance Community runs fortnightly group dance sessions in Haberfield, in Sydney's Inner West. Sessions run for approximately sixty to seventy-five minutes and use a free expression dance methodology called Biodanza (a structured approach to group movement that focuses on emotional expression, music, and human connection rather than formal technique or steps). Participants are guided by a trained facilitator and encouraged to move in ways that feel natural to them. There is no right or wrong way to participate, and people living with disability are welcome and accommodated.
After each session, participants are invited to socialise over light refreshments, giving the community time to build the real-life friendships that are central to the organisation's purpose. The first session is always free. After that, fees are kept deliberately accessible.
Life Dance Community is actively seeking partners, including community organisations and research institutions, to extend its reach to more groups experiencing isolation and to build the evidence base for its approach. Donations are welcome, and there are opportunities to volunteer or partner with the organisation through the website.
Head office:
- New South Wales
Service location(s):
- New South Wales
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