what we do

Respair Therapy C.I.C. began in 2023 with a simple belief: dance belongs to everybody, and every body. Like many of the people we work with, Respair does not fit neatly into one box. Our work exists on a spectrum, from the gloriously frivolous to the deeply serious.

At one end, we hire out silent disco equipment so that people can turn their living room, kitchen or garden into a dancefloor for the night. We create joyful events where people can put on a pair of headphones, choose their music and dance together without worrying about what they look like. Income from silent disco hire goes back into Respair, so a party in someone’s garden can help another person access psychological support.

At the other end is Dance Movement Psychotherapy, or DMP. This is not a dance class or an informal wellbeing activity. It is a recognised form of psychotherapy in which movement, the body and the relationship between client and therapist are central to the clinical work.

Between these two ends are projects such as Babe Club, our silent disco for parents, carers and babies; therapeutic movement in schools; and work with neurodivergent people, adults with learning disabilities and people living with dementia.

We do not pretend that all these activities are the same. A birthday disco and a psychotherapy session have very different purposes, boundaries and levels of clinical responsibility. What connects them is our belief that movement matters and that dance should be more accessible.

Dance can be joyful, silly, sociable and completely without purpose. It can also help someone regulate their nervous system, express something they cannot say, reconnect with their body or begin to make sense of a traumatic experience. Sometimes it is energetic and expansive. Sometimes it is a gesture, a rhythm, a breath, a moment of stillness or the choice not to move at all.

Our work is inclusive, trauma informed and anti oppressive. Whether we are helping somebody throw a brilliant party or supporting a person through specialist psychotherapy, we are creating more opportunities for people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities to experience movement, connection and psychological support.

Community Interest Companies (C.I.C.s)

Respair Therapy is a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.). C.I.C.s operate differently from charities in several ways. We generate income through contracts, trading, and grants, rather than relying solely on donations and fundraising. This allows us to offer continuous services and products to benefit our defined community, without time limitations.

While charities receive tax exemptions and can claim Gift Aid on donations, we are subject to corporation tax and don't receive the same benefits. However, we appreciate every donation given to Respair Therapy C.I.C. as it helps fund our community projects.

Overall, our business model allows us to offer continuous and affordable solutions, while generating income to fund our community projects.