Our Story

In 2017, Artistic Director Lucy Haighton began working as a lead dance artist on Dance To Health, a falls prevention programme. As part of the project there are volunteer roles for people aged 50 and over whose role is to assist the lead artist by supporting participants within the group.

During a year working on this project, some of the volunteers requested the set up of a new contemporary dance class specifically for people over 50. They were enjoying the Dance To Health classes but wanted something more advanced which focused on pure dance and movement, especially contemporary dance techniques and creativity.

They felt there were no existing dance classes or groups available in Sheffield that represented their ages, mobilities and abilities as dancers. With experience working across a wide variety of different dance settings and specialising in working with older adults, Lucy had been interested in developing a group like this for some time and so it was the right timing.

Beginning with taster sessions and consultation with wider communities, 50+ Contemporary Dance Sheffield was established. For the first year, classes were held at St Columba’s Church Hall in Crosspool before moving to The Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre in early 2020. Due to Covid classes went online from March 2020 to August 2021. From September 2021 we are continuing classes on Zoom but are also resuming in person classes at our new base and home The University Drama Studio on Shearwood Road in Broomhall.