Our annual celebration of the creativity, courage and talent of young people in Walker and surrounding areas – Walker Youth Dance Festival returns this July!
Now in it’s fifth year, the festival takes place in Walker Park and is completely free to attend and take part in. Led by young dancers from our Walker Youth Dance Project, the day brings together young people from across Walker and beyond to share their work, take part in workshops, and perform in their own community. It offers an opportunity to celebrate and uplift our youth, as well as reclaim public spaces for positive cultural activity.
Always a vibrant atmosphere, the day includes workshops with a guest artist for our young people to take part in, leading into brilliant public performances hosted by comedian Nicola Mantalios with plenty of moments of pride and celebration (plus, of course, ice cream!).
Save the date and put it in your diary! The festival returns Saturday 18th July 2026.
Check out this video from last year’s festival to get a feel for what it’s all about:
Get involved
Perform
Every year we invite other dance groups from the East End and further afield to perform at Walker Youth Dance Festival. If you run or are part of a youth performance group, that would be interested in performing, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at community@companyofothers.org.uk.
We’re looking for friendly, passionate people to join our volunteer team at Company of Others and help at Walker Youth Dance Festival! Whether you’re great at setting up, welcoming guests, giving directions, or just ready to lend a hand, we’d love to hear from you. Want in? Email us at community@companyofothers.org.uk
Rooted in Movement is our artist support programme offering artists time to play, discover and dream with no artistic output expected.
The programme is for North of England based movement artists who have lived experience of being othered by the society we live in. It consists of residencies at The Bricks (our home in Walker) and travel bursaries to enable connection and exploration for artists whose personal ancestry has roots beyond the borders of the UK. We were delighted to be able to continue to programme and offer this support again.
Find out more about our 2026 Rooted in Movement recipients below.
Alys North
Residency Recipient 2026
Alys North (she/her) is a dancer, maker and facilitator living in Newcastle. At the heart of Alys’ dance practice is a love to improvise, both solo and with others, and a deep interest in somatic practice and experience. Across all of her work, Alys has a strong desire to make space for people to move fully in their bodies and be fully themselves.
Alys has over 15 years experience of working as a freelance dance artist. Her work moves between performance, participation and socially engaged practice across theatres, outdoors, public and community spaces, and she has experience of collaborating with a wide range of artists/companies and community groups and organisations. Most recently, Alys has been working with Headway Arts, Jack Drum Arts, Lizzie Klotz, balletLORENT, Fully Booked Theatre and Alicia Meehan.
In Alys’ words:
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be invited into residency with Company of Others. I will be using this time to dance contact improvisation (CI), play with some new ideas and concepts and reflect upon and explore how I can collaborate with new people to share CI more widely.”
Imo Wright (they/them) is a queer freelance artist of mixed Jamaican-British heritage based in Leeds. They completed their training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), graduating in 2021, where they worked with choreographers such as Yukiko Masui and Vicki Igbokwe.
Following graduation, Imo continued their development with NSCD’s postgraduate company, VERVE, touring internationally and performing works by Sita Ostheimer, Alesandra Seutin, and Akram Khan.
Beyond NSCD, Imo has collaborated with companies and artists including Gary Clarke Company, Far From the Norm, Mad Dogs, Barnaby Booth, Jack Philp Dance, Cathy Waller Company, Extended Play Dance, and (LA)HORDE, appearing in Rosalía’s performance at The BRIT Awards 2026.
In addition to their work as a performer, Imo has experience in facilitation rooted in community engagement and inclusive practice. In 2023, they worked as a Partner Movement Associate for the National Theatre’s Public Acts programme, contributing to the creation of inclusive and accessible theatre experiences for communities across the UK. More recently, they worked as Dance Captain for the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture Closing Ceremony.
Central to Imo’s practice is a commitment to contributing to and creating work that challenges conventions, celebrates diversity, and fosters collective empowerment.
In Imogen’s words:
“I am thrilled to receive the Rooted in Movement Residency at this moment in my artistic journey. The opportunity feels aligned with where I am in life—at a time of reflection and growth, alongside a need to dissect and play. I hope to channel a journey of healing and introspection into something tangible through the language I know best: dance.
I am incredibly grateful to Company of Others for providing the space, time, and support to delve deeper into this research and discover what can emerge from it.”
Keep up with Imogen’s work on Instagram:@imogenmaee
Yuvel Soria
Travel Bursary Recipient 2026
Yuvel Soria (he/him) (b. Bolivia) is a British-Bolivian Dance Artist-Creator based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Trained in traditional Bolivian and contemporary dance, and influenced by Latin dance, his multidisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, belonging, and culture. He creates participatory works that sit between contemporary dance, performance, and live art, with a focus on collaboration, immersion, and audience interaction.
His work explores traditions and cultural practices through ritual, developing interactive and immersive experiences that invite people to come together and experience moments collectively.
Alongside his artistic practice, Soria is an experienced community dance practitioner, delivering inclusive sessions for diverse groups across the UK. His work supports confidence, physical activity, and creative expression, while challenging perceptions of age, ability, and access to dance.
In Yuvel’s words:
“Receiving the Rooted Travel Bursary feels incredibly emotional and affirming for me and I am truly grateful to Company of Others for the support. As a British-Bolivian artist, this opportunity allows me to reconnect with my roots, my culture, and a part of myself that deeply influences my work. I’m so grateful for the chance to build meaningful connections with artists and communities in Bolivia and bring those experiences back into my creative practice.”
Our Walker-based dance group is celebrating its 10th anniversary by inviting 10 new members aged 60 and over to join the weekly sessions focused on movement, creativity, laughter and connection.
Company of Others Ensemble has been bringing local people together through dance since 2016. Based at our home, The Bricks on Belmont Street, Ensemble offers pay-what-you-feel sessions for people aged 60+, open to all abilities, including those who have never danced before. In fact, every current member was new to dance when they first joined.
What began as a falls-prevention and wellbeing project has grown into a close-knit, adventurous group that resists the idea that later life should be small or sedentary. Ensemble is about saying: your life can be as big as you want it to be, and you’re never too old to dance.
Over the past decade, members have co-created original dance pieces, some of which have been performed in unexpected places, including live art performance club night PUG. Not all members choose to perform but still enjoy the weekly sessions.
Sessions explore a wide range of styles including contemporary dance, creative movement, ballet, ballroom, voguing and tap, always adapted to suit each individual.
Our Company Founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Nadia Iftkhar reflects on the group:
“Looking back on the past 10 years has been a great opportunity to think of all the adventures we’ve had together, the trust built between us, the friendships we’ve created,” she shares. “I love how the group are up for giving anything a go, that’s really the only requirement to join, anything else doesn’t matter!”
The impact on members’ lives has been profound. George, who works on a farm, says Ensemble is one of the only times in the week he leaves it. “Before Ensemble I felt like I was sleepwalking into old age,” he says. “Now I feel happier, more purposeful, and healthier.”
Sylvia, who has been part of the group since the beginning, says performing has given her confidence she never expected. She has since appeared in a music video and credits the sessions with helping her memory and wellbeing. “No matter how old you are, or how stiff you feel, just try it,” she says, “I always feel better after I’ve been dancing.”
Another long-standing member, Linda, joined when the project first launched as a falls-prevention programme. “I thought it would just be an exercise class, but it’s much more than that,” she says. “It’s sociable, inclusive, and it broadens your horizons.” Linda met her partner Tony through the group, who celebrated his 90th birthday on the dance floor last year. “If we’re still dancing together, you can too,” she laughs.
Dance has been shown to be one of the most effective activities for supporting brain health in later life – a landmark 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine by Verghese et al., found that older adults who dance regularly have a 76% lower risk of dementia compared to non-dancers. The group also offers something harder to measure: friendship, joy and a reason to get out of the house on a Monday afternoon.
As the group enters its tenth year, Ensemble is opening its doors to new members. To celebrate, the group hosted a tea dance for over 60s last month in Walker called Thé Dansant (French for ‘dancing tea’). Inspired by the community tea parties once common across Tyneside, the event was a riotously fun afternoon with afternoon tea, music, a raffle and, of course, dancing.
Company of Others Ensemble meets every Monday from 1–2:30pm in Walker. Transport cost support is available.
To join the group, contact us at community@companyofothers.org.uk or call 0191 276 1524.
Company of Others are inviting women and girls with family connections (for example mother & daughter, grandmother & granddaughter) to take part in a new, gentle and playful dance theatre project called HELD.
This opportunity is for families who are People Seeking Sanctuary, have lived experience of displacement, and/or are from the Global Majority, living in Gateshead, Newcastle or Stockton.
Led by our Artistic Director Nadia, workshops take place throughout the year. These workshops will be fun, welcoming and a chance to come along see if you enjoy it. No previous experience needed.
The call-out is available in Arabic, Bengali, English, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Pashto, Tigrinya and Urdu. Interpreters will be available for the workshops.
We’re looking to welcome new members to Company of Others Ensemble in the New Year!
Company of Others Ensemble is a joyful, creative community of dancers for people aged 60 and over.
Each week, Ensemble members come together to move, create, connect and explore movement in a welcoming and supportive space. No previous experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to have a go!
Joining Ensemble is a wonderful way to stay active, meet new people, and experience the joy of moving together.
Day: Every Monday, 1–2:30pm (from 5th January 2026) Place: The Bricks, St. Anthony of Egypt Church, Belmont St, Walker, NE6 3SN Cost: Pay What You Feel No. 12 & Q3 bus routes | Transport support available
If you would like to join Company of Others Ensemble, please get in touch at community@companyofothers.org.uk or call 0191 276 1524. We’d love to welcome you!
We’re very excited to share some news from Company of Others Ensemble – a new academic paper by researcher Anna Goulding has been published, celebrating the artistic and social impact of our incredible community of dancers over 60.
Company of Others Ensemble is a performing company of dancers who happen to be over 60. Their powerful, moving choreography is rooted in lived experience and challenges outdated ideas about age, while celebrating creativity, belonging, and respect.
In her study, Anna Goulding explores how dance can reshape perceptions of ageing. She highlights how the group isn’t just about movement — it’s about connection, expression, and the joy of discovering what’s possible at every stage of life.
As Dory, one of our Ensemble members, reflects: “I’ve been here for eight years because of the trust and confidence built within this group. Ensemble makes me feel like I’m resisting old age.”
Beyond the stage, Ensemble members regularly attend theatre trips, lead workshops, and continue rehearsing and growing together as artists through weekly workshops at our home in Walker, The Bricks. For George, the impact has been profound: “Since dancing with Company of Others Ensemble, I feel happier, more purposeful, definitely healthier and fitter.”
We’re honoured that the Ensemble’s journey has inspired such meaningful research. It’s a testament to the power of dance, community, and the bold creativity of older artists.
Rooted in Movement is our artist support programme for North of England based movement artists who have lived experience of being Othered by the society we live in. Company of Others is an Artist-led organisation, and whilst we’re not an artist development organisation or agency, we know how important it is for artists to have time to play, discover and dream. We’ve created our artist development offer with these 3 aims at the core, with no artistic output expected.
The artist development programme consists of residencies at The Bricks (our home in Walker) and travel bursaries to enable connection and exploration for artists whose personal ancestry has roots beyond the borders of the UK. This year, we were delighted to have been able to continue to programme and offer this support again.
Now, we’re excited to introduce the 2025 Rooted in Movement recipients – three powerful artists using movement and personal storytelling to explore identity, build connection, and spark change.
Hamzeh Al Hussien
Travel Bursary Recipient 2025
Hamzeh is a disabled artist from Syria who discovered theatre, movement and performance in Za’atari camp through workshops, where he began to perform, touring shows across the camp and facilitating workshops with young people with disabilities. Hamzeh is a joyous performer who brings positivity, warmth and a lot of humour, and has countless stories to share of his incredible life. Hamzeh explores his lived experience of disability and seeking sanctuary through his autobiographical work.
‘Penguin’ was Hamzeh’s professional debut, now currently touring the UK and internationally, gaining much press, brilliant reviews and winning Best Newcomer at the NE Culture Awards. He regularly performs in panto and as an actor, clown and entertainer.
In Hamzeh’s words:
“This travel bursary gives me a chance to return to the places that shaped me, Jordan and Syria, and to sit, remember, and reconnect. I hope to find new ideas by walking through the camp and the mountains, seeing my family again, and meeting other disabled artists doing important work. I want to listen, reflect, and begin to imagine the next stories I will tell.”
Mahshid is a live performance artist, filmmaker, and facilitator from Tehran. With roots in Iranian dance and a growing multidisciplinary practice spanning live performance and film, Mahshid’s work explores emotional landscapes of migration, identity, and connection.
Believing in movement as a powerful and universal language, Mahshid integrates dance, film, and live performance to craft narratives deeply inspired by her lived experiences while offering a broader perspective. Mahshid strives to bring people together, fostering dialogue and creating connection.
In Mahshid’s words:
“My hopes for this residency is to use the time and support to slow down and play—to experiment freely without the pressure of producing a finished piece.”
Alicia Meehan is a movement artist, performer, choreographer, movement director and facilitator. Drawing from physical theatre, contemporary dance and comedy, Alicia creates immersive, cross-genre experiences that blur the lines between the real and the surreal. Her work thrives at the intersection of theatre, dance, cabaret, and community-led performance, often incorporating text, props, and episodic structures to explore the complexity of identity, power dynamics, and societal expectations.
Her choreographic practice celebrates radical joy and unapologetic self-expression, blending movement, text, and visual storytelling to challenge traditional norms and champion queer narratives. She is driven to create work that connects people and fosters spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Alicia is also a Grief Floats performer with Company of Others.
In Alicia’s words:
“I’m so grateful and excited to be a recipient of the Rooted in Movement programme. The residency will allow me the time and space to refine my creative practise, whilst also continue to develop my latest work What Adult Am I?”
Company of Others is looking for a Costume Assistant for our upcoming production of Grief Floats in August 2025, at King Edward’s Bay. This is a paid opportunity to work alongside and assist our Costume Designer.
About Grief Floats:
Grief Floats is a protest, an honouring, a remembering. It’s a long-term project that offers ways of reconnecting the mind and body during times of grief through workshops, discussions, and performances. It’s a gentle protest, an act of remembrance, and an offer of communal reflection set against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Sea.
The costumes for Grief Floats echo the way the sea reclaims all, breaking us down to our core components and allowing space for new life to take hold. The performers become monuments out at sea, in various stages of decay and grief, some still with their outer shells, others chipped away to reveal their core. The costumes sparkle in the sunlight, eroded by the waves.
Rehearsals: 2 days between 11th–22nd August 2025 Performances: 25th–31st August 2025
Duties include:
– Report directly to the Costume Designer. – Safely transporting costumes to and from the production area\show area. Driving and access to own transport is a must. – Assisting the Costume Designer with care of costumes including drying, cleaning and ironing. – Swiftly report any issues with costuming as the production continues over show week. – Small costume repairs as needed following and/or between performances such as attaching sequins. – Availability to take on larger repairs as needed following daily performances. – Assisting with dressing dancers and managing costumes following performances. – Flexibility with timing due to nature of the show and early/later performances. – Any other duties to ensure that costuming is as streamlined as possible as well as related duties in support of the wider team.
If you have interest and experience in costume design and making, and can be available for the dates above, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re very excited to announce that Walker Youth Dance festival will return for it’s 4th year this July. The annual ritual is a joyful celebration of the talent, power and creativity of young people in our community.
Now in it’s fourth year, WYDF takes place in Walker Park and is completely free to attend and take part in. The festival aims to give young people a platform in their own community to shine as well as reclaim public spaces for positive cultural activity. It offers our community an opportunity to celebrate and uplift its youth.
The day includes brilliant performances from our very own Walker Youth Dance Project dancers, as well as from local dance groups, guest workshops, community connection, and an ice cream van!
Save the date and put it in your diary! The festival returns Saturday 19th July 2025.
Check out this video from last year’s festival to get a feel for what it’s all about:
Get involved
If you or your group would like to perform, or if your company would like to sponsor the festival, drop us a line at community@companyofothers.org.uk.
Double Your Impact – Support Walker Youth Dance Project
For one week only, every donation you make will be doubled through the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign. Walker Youth Dance Project provides free, year-round dance workshops, theatre trips, and performance opportunities for young people in Walker—giving them equal access to the arts.
Your support helps ensure they have the space, resources, and experiences to grow in confidence and feel part of something bigger.
