Move To Be Moved is an intergenerational community dance project led by Tori Drew, bringing people together across Dudley and Sandwell through movement, storytelling, and film. Rooted in real experiences, the project creates space for connection between young people and older adults, using dance as a shared language to explore stories, build relationships, and celebrate community.

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Over 12 weeks, participants from local primary schools and older people’s dance groups come together in creative workshops to develop movement, share ideas, and collaborate across generations. These sessions focus on building confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging, offering opportunities for people to take part in ways that feel meaningful to them.

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The project responds to local challenges around access to dance, limited performance opportunities, and a lack of visible community-led work. By creating a dance film, Move To Be Moved allows these stories to be shared beyond traditional venues, reaching wider audiences and giving greater visibility to voices that are often underrepresented.

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Alongside the creative work, the project includes research led by Dr. Imogen Aujla, capturing the experiences of participants and contributing to a wider understanding of community dance. This will result in a practical toolkit and resources to support other artists and organisations working in similar contexts.

The project culminates in a celebratory community event and film screening at Priory House, Dudley; a moment to come together, reflect, and share the work created.

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At its heart, Move To Be Moved is about connection- between people, places, and stories- and about making dance more accessible, visible, and relevant within local communities.