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Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared how even minimal dance movements significantly supported her bone strength and mental wellbeing throughout her cancer treatment. At 35 years old, Dowden joined a dance class in Swansea tailored for individuals over 60, focusing on enhancing strength and balance to help prevent falls. This participation aligns with findings from a recent report revealing that arts programmes aimed at improving physical health and wellbeing provide the Welsh NHS with annual savings amounting to £26 million.
Dowden highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of dancing at any age, pointing out improvements in flexibility, strength, and confidence. Diagnosed in 2023 with grade three breast cancer shortly before her honeymoon, she has been a Strictly professional dancer since 2017. Reflecting on her experience during chemotherapy, she said, “When I was going through chemotherapy, if I could just do a little cha-cha in my lounge or get my body moving, it just made me feel so much better and if it wasn’t for dancing, I’m not sure I would have got back as fit and healthy as I am now.” A year after completing treatment, she continues to dance professionally, demonstrating the powerful role dance played in her recovery.
Originally from Caerphilly and having Crohn’s disease from a young age, Dowden feels that the health benefits of dance are not promoted enough. She expressed, “For me, dancing has got me through the toughest of times and even when I couldn’t dance, even being able to watch it made me feel so much better as well. We’ve got to get our bodies moving. You could be sat down in a chair, you can participate as little or as much as you want and actually seeing the progression over the weeks is just as rewarding for a teacher as for those taking part.”
Further research by Bangor University health economists supports these personal experiences, showing that a national dance initiative could save the Welsh NHS £5 million annually. Additionally, engaging in arts programmes could avoid 5% of all adult mental health GP appointments, potentially saving £17 million. Participants in these programmes, like 69-year-old Sylvie Evans who joined a weekly dance group to aid her knee injury recovery, report multiple benefits including reduced need for surgery and enhanced social connections. Another attendee, Judith Lombardo, who is visually impaired and has balance difficulties, praised the inclusivity of the Dance to Health sessions, remarking how it made her “more sturdy” and emphasizing the welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere. The Arts Council of Wales supports over 80 arts organisations annually, resulting in significant health and economic benefits, with Chief Executive Dafydd Rhys stating, “The arts are delivering real, tangible health benefits for people and communities and now we have the independent, robust evidence to prove it.” The Welsh government has increased funding for the cultural sector, with a draft budget for 2026-27 allocating over £33.5 million in revenue alongside greater capital investment
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