The Octagon Theatre

We work with NHS trusts, community organisations and voluntary services, to develop creative activities that deliver emotional and physical support to people with mental and long-term health conditions. Across Somerset we deliver regular specialist support-led sessions in community settings that support treatment, recovery and long-term wellbeing. The sessions themselves provide support for individuals to take part in creative arts activities, in a nurturing environment.

Parkinson’s Dance is a fun and creative movement-based session, designed specifically to address the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Sessions are led by a team of two specially trained practitioners, using the Parkinson’s Dance Science model - a marriage of physiotherapy and creative dance with researched and evidenced underpinnings. Sessions feature a variety of dance styles, focusing on: posture, strength, coordination, balance, creativity, suppleness and most of all, fun. Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to connect and chat over a free cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.

Sessions take place in Langport at Ridgway Hall, on Mondays at 10 – 11:30am starting in January 2024.

Read more about our Parkinsons Dance project.

Movement Through Cancer is a movement and dance project designed specifically for people living with or at any point of their cancer journey. The sessions are led by a team of specially trained practitioners, with support of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and The Octagon Theatre. The creative dance and movement-based sessions are aimed at those undergoing treatment, in recovery and those affected by cancer to explore moving and dancing to music in a relaxed, uplifting and fun environment. Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to connect and chat over a free cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.

Sessions take place at Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil on Mondays at 1:30 – 3pm, starting in January 2024. 

Read more about our Movement Through Cancer project.

Time Together is a music-making project aimed at new parents and their babies aged 0 – 12months to experience music together. The Octagon Theatre are working in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to deliver this 8-week music making project at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton. Musicians from BSO will lead participants and their babies through sensory and creative based music activities aimed at increasing bonding. Parents and babies will go on a creative journey through making their own music, using their voices and having a go at playing some instruments. Each session will end with tea and coffee and an opportunity for connecting with other parents. 

The Time Together music sessions will run weekly for 6 weeks from Wednesday 8th November, at 10am- 11:30am, at The Balsam Centre, Wincanton.

Read more about the Time Together project.

Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra is a music-making project aimed at adults who have reported mental health challenges or would like extra support. The Octagon Theatre are working in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), The Ark at Egwood and The WATCH Project in Chard, to deliver this 10-week project. Musicians from BSO will lead participants through specialist support-led activity that focuses on music making and connection with green space to positively impact participants mental health and wellbeing. The Wellbeing Orchestra gives adults the opportunity to listen to, create and play music alongside other people in a safe and supportive environment. Each session will end with tea or coffee and an opportunity for connecting with others.  

 The Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra will run weekly for 10 weeks from Tuesday 16^th January 2024, at 1pm- 3pm, at The Ark at Egwood, in Merriott.