Liverpool dance company MOVEMA awarded charity status

Liverpool’s world dance company MOVEMA have been awarded Charity status.

Since 2009 Movema have celebrated diversity through dance, creating safe spaces for different communities to come together, learn about each other & improve their health & wellbeing.

The organisation’s high quality arts & culture experiences include choreographed shows, parades, outdoor events and festivals.

A cornerstone of Movema’s ongoing activity, their participation & learning projects include workshops, masterclasses, schools programmes and teacher-resources, whilst also focusing on employment, apprenticeships, up-skilling opportunities for professional & emerging dance artists and a volunteer network.

Co-Founder, Maria Malone said:

“This is a really exciting milestone for Movema as it means we are stronger to face what will be a tough time ahead for arts and community organisations. It’s a new chapter of the company growing and being more stable; being able to offer more to our participants, artists and staff.”

The award-winning, world dance company is run by four female artists from diverse cultural backgrounds (Chinese, Malaysian, Caribbean, Irish & British), based & working in the most deprived postcodes in Liverpool & Bristol.

Movema Patron, Dan Haggis of The Wombats said:

“Movema is a jewel in the cultural life of Liverpool and being awarded charity status is a recognition of the quality of what they do. Access for all to dance and the arts in general is such an important part of every city and Movema bring joy and help people express themselves in so many wonderful ways.”

Movema have been commissioned for performance by the likes of Liverpool City Council, Light Night, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Dance Consortium North West and many more. They have also partnered with Merseycare NHS Trust from 2011, delivering dance for mental health and wellbeing, across multiple services in the North West.

Recent projects include ‘Moving Together’ – a bespoke project for Refugees & Asylum Seekers. addressing inactivity, isolation and building stronger communities, and their World in a Box (WIAB) digital platform and resource for schools and community groups. The accompanying ‘Unlock the Box’ programme – supported by BBC Children In Need – ran from 2014 to 2020, engaging over 1000 children & young people from disadvantaged communities across Merseyside. The group also continued delivery of programmes throughout the pandemic, engaging over 10,000 people digitally.

Fellow co-founder, Ithalia Forel said:

“At the centre of our company and our work remains our commitment to share and celebrate our diverse dances in safe spaces, to create excellent work with a wide reach, spreading our message of unity and reaching out to transform the lives of those most in need through the power of world dance.”

‘Dance to Heal and Thrive’ – a project providing enriching and meaningful dance and wellbeing sessions for marginalized women who have experienced multiple disadvantages.‘Dance Connects’, which saw commissions to partner artists with community organisations across Bristol; and Other projects include ‘Spread Your Wings’ – a Black History Month programme which included national conversation & training.

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:

“I was delighted to hear that Movema have been awarded charity status. This will enable them to continue the fantastic work they do connecting people and communities at a time when unity is needed more than ever. Their enriching experiences celebrate diversity, help to build stronger communities and offer a real lifeline to many.”

Find out more about Movema here.