Since its launch in 2025, we’ve been following Angela Rippon’s national dance initiative Let’s Dance! The initiative is once again inviting people across the UK to experience the transformative power of movement. With a launch event held on 7 February at the Old Bailey’s Grand Hall, the campaign builds momentum towards their second nationwide National Day of Dance on Sunday 8 March – a celebration designed to inspire communities of all ages and abilities to step onto the dance floor.
Founded by broadcaster and dance advocate Angela Rippon, Let’s Dance! aims to highlight not only the joy of dancing but also its measurable impact on physical health, mental well-being and social connection. The campaign’s inaugural year saw more than 20,000 dance teachers participate, supported by major UK dance organisations alongside the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the NHS and Parkinson’s UK.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Rippon said, “Dancing isn’t just fabulous entertainment and a truly joyous experience; it’s a brilliant form of all-round exercise that absolutely everyone and anyone can enjoy. Just a few minutes of dancing provides a thorough workout for the body and brain, raising the heartbeat, releasing the endorphins that make us feel good, and reducing the stress and strain that can bring us down. It helps us combat isolation and loneliness through social contact, and, most of all, it’s great fun. Dancing quite simply makes us all feel more alive!”
The recent launch brought together leading figures and groups from across the dance sector. Highlights included: The Royal Academy of Dance’s Silver Swans, The Place: Over 60s, The Place: Shift Youth Dance Company, Black in the Ballroom, The Bollywood Co, City of London School for Girls, The Big Movement Collective – Men moving for mental health, and Mums Da Word.
Dancer and Choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips joined Rippon at the launch event, where she unveiled a specially choreographed routine created in collaboration with English National Ballet (ENB)’s Dance for Parkinson’s group. The routine, set to Whitney Houston’s iconic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” (performed by Calum Scott and Houston), will be shared nationwide, allowing Dance for Parkinson’s groups across the country to learn and perform the piece on 8 March. “I think dance is for everyone, and if you give yourself to it, the reward will be greater than you could ever imagine,” Phillips said. “Through Dance for Parkinson’s, I’ve seen the tangible difference even a short session can make for mind, body and spirit.”
ENB’s Director of Engagement, Fleur Derbyshire-Fox, emphasised the collaborative spirit behind the project. Supported by Associate Artist Hannah Wilson and répétiteur Richard Roe, the ENB team has created an accessible, step-by-step film of Phillips’ choreography to ensure groups nationwide can participate on 8 March. “Our Dance for Parkinson’s dancers have hugely enjoyed learning and performing the choreography,” she told us.
The health argument for dance is compelling. Research continues to demonstrate its positive effect on cardiovascular fitness, balance, coordination and cognitive function, while also addressing loneliness and social isolation – issues that remain a pressing concern for every new generation.
Daisy Fancourt, a leading expert on the value of the arts, has described dance in striking terms: “If dance was a drug, it would be described as a Superdrug. Indeed, it is the only legal performance-enhancing drug you will ever need.” It’s a bold statement, but one increasingly supported by clinical and community research.
Parkinson’s UK is among the Let’s Dance campaign’s most enthusiastic partners. Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, describes dance as “a key ingredient in helping to live well today” for those living with the condition. “Dancing is proven to improve coordination, balance and gait, all of which can help reduce the risk of falls,” she explains. “It boosts cognitive and mental health, as well as bringing joy and connection for people living with a condition that can feel very isolating.”
The benefits extend beyond Parkinson’s. Ongoing research is exploring how dance supports cancer recovery, reduces pain following chemotherapy, aids stroke rehabilitation and enhances recovery after major orthopaedic surgery. Its role in addressing depression, anxiety and stress is also increasingly recognised within both healthcare and community settings and exemplified by groups such as The Big Movement Collective – Men moving for mental health. Read our past article on the wider role of dance here.
From the platform of the London launch, Let’s Dance! has announced a call to action. In a nationwide movement, organisations from Cornwall to Northern Ireland are opening their doors, offering free classes, workshops and community dance experiences.
Highlights include:
- The Eden Project, Cornwall – A ‘Day of Dancing’ inside one of its iconic biomes.
- Sadler’s Wells East, Royal Academy of Dance and The Royal Ballet School – Free classes spanning ballet, mime, contemporary and street dance.
- Scottish Ballet – Workshops and demonstrations at company headquarters, alongside activity at Dumfries House.
- Rubicon Dance, Cardiff – A full day of free lessons and workshops.
- Birmingham – Free Bhangra sessions hosted by Bally Bhogal.
- Northern Ireland Creative Movement and Aerobics Championships – Opening the competition floor to families, schools and audiences to promote the principles of Let’s Dance.
Sadler’s Wells co-Chief Executives Sir Alistair Spalding and Britannia Morton reinforced the venue’s commitment to participation as well as performance. “When we opened Sadler’s Wells East, we wanted to make sure it’s not just a place for seeing dance but also for experiencing and taking part in dance,” they said. “We truly believe that dance matters at all stages of life.”
What truly distinguishes Let’s Dance! is the alignment between the professional dance sector and healthcare advocates. Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh highlighted dance’s importance for unpaid carers, many of whom experience profound isolation. “We’ve known for a long time that dance is not only good for our health and fitness, but that it also brings great pleasure and a chance to get away from the pressures of our daily lives for a few precious hours. For carers… it can be a real lifeline,” she said, noting that even a few hours of shared movement can provide meaningful respite and connection.
At its core, Let’s Dance! is simple in its ambition: to get the nation moving. Whether it’s ballroom, ballet, contemporary, Bhangra or dance as part of a health program, the message remains consistent – movement matters. As Rippon succinctly puts it, dancing “makes us all feel more alive.”
Events are planned across the UK on Sunday 8 March. For details or to find out how you can be involved, visit the Let’s Dance website at lets-dance.org.uk.
