Anjali Dance Company - Culture for Change

This week, Anjali’s Producer Natalie speaks with Martin Swan, Co-Creative Director of the supported studio Prism, based in Carlisle. With over 20 years’ experience leading and managing multi-strand creative projects across the UK and internationally, Martin shares his perspective on the vital role of supported studios and the need for greater equality for neurodivergent and learning-disabled people in the cultural sector. Their conversation also delves into the impact of class divides on access to arts and culture, and what justice means to Martin. “No one is free until everyone is free.”

This week, Anjali's Producer, Natalie, sits down with Zach. Zach is from Tottenham in London but supports Arsenal! He recently graduated with a BA Hons degree in Inclusive Performing Arts from ChickenShed. He has a disability called Cerebral Palsy and works as an inclusive and diversity facilitator within unconscious bias and is a part-time teaching assistant/mentor at an SEN primary school. Zach is also an Applied Ballet – All In! Practitioner with National Youth Ballet. His favourite style of dance is Ndombolo, which is a style from both the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In this episode of Culture for Change, host Natalie Haslam sits down with journalist and author Julia Hotz to explore the transformative power of social prescribing. Drawing from her book The Connection Cure, Julia discusses how non-medical interventions, such as dance, arts and community engagement, can improve well-being, reduce loneliness, and create stronger, more inclusive communities. Julia shares insights from her research and highlights the growing recognition of social prescribing in healthcare. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of health, culture, and social connection.

This week, Anjali's Producer Natalie sits down with Dr ⁠Kathryn Stamp⁠, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) at Coventry University. Dr Stamp's work explores the intersections of education, health, and inclusive dance. Together, they discuss how the health, cultural, and social sectors can collaborate to foster a more inclusive and connected community.