In the foreword of the first ever Men's Health Strategy for England, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care stated that there is "a crisis in men's health that ripples through families, workplaces and communities".
Right now, 1 in 3 men in the UK faces isolation and loneliness.
That loneliness doubles the risk of depression and suicide. And yet, too many men still feel they have to tough it out alone. We refuse to let that happen.
The Big Movement is our answer. A loud, powerful force and unapologetic act to reduce isolation because through togetherness, we'll find our light.
We strongly believe that The Big Movement supports Men's Health by using group dance to combat isolation, challenge stigma, and promote physical health in accessible community settings - improving mental well-being and promoting prevention over sickness.
The science is clear: Dancing is a superpower.
Dancing for just 25 minutes reduces the symptoms of depression by 47% (T Pavia Prundente, 2024). Taking part in dance also enhances neurotransmitter activity in the brain, boosts self-esteem, and improves mindfulness - contributing to better mood and mental health.
It goes far beyond fitness or performance. For the body, dance boosts cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, enhancing overall fitness. For the mind, it sharpens cognitive function, reduces stress, and increases feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, boosting happiness and wellbeing. In fact, recent research has suggested that dance can be better for some people than other forms of exercise (M Noetel, 2024).
We use movement and dance to support men's mental health, reduce loneliness and build community support and resilience for the good and tough times in life.
For over 25 years, we've seen first hand how dance and movement can transform the lives of boys and men and it goes far beyond fitness or performance.
The Big Movement is working for men because it is providing a safe space to step outside their comfort zones, take on challenges, and experience small and big shared wins in a non judgemental environment by creating opportunities for laughter, play, and genuine connection.
"Being part of The Big Movement has helped me get out of my own way and opened up a new sense of adventure I didn't realise I had."
— Dan, participantIt is giving men permission to tap back into the sense of play which instantly brings joy.
Joy is right at the heart of The Big Movement, because when the world around us feels hard, joy does more than make us smile. Joy changes how we perceive and respond to challenges. It broadens perspective, reduces fear, and helps men respond to stress with flexibility and confidence. When cultivated intentionally, joy strengthens resilience and sparks innovation, helping men persist, recover, and find creative solutions in difficult situations.
When men move together with joy, they don't just live, they thrive.
"It isn't all about 'doing dance', it's about bringing people together in a different way. It feels less like a session you have to sit through and more like a space to connect, have a laugh and realise everyone's human."
— Kai, participant