Dance event has 'massive effect' on mental health

A woman taking part in a dance fundraiser for a mental health charity said it has had a "massive effect" helping people.

Nicola Lawrence, 52, is one of the contestants for the 2026 Strictly Brackley competition which raises money for the charity Mental Health Friends.

It is organised by Step-By-Step dance school and takes place on Saturday at 18:30 BST at Brackley Leisure Centre.

Lawrence, from Brackley, who has struggled with her mental health, said: "If people didn't raise money [for mental health charities] then I might not be here now."

After struggling with the menopause and finding out she was neurodiverse when she was 48, she benefitted from the support offered to her.

"Two years ago, I could barely get up... I needed help.

"To be able to raise money and help other people feels really lovely," she added.

Lawrence and her sister-in-law, Natasha Lawrence, are doing the competition to "step out of their comfort zones" and try something new.

"It's good exercise - I've smiled and I've got something to do... it is massive the effect it has and how it can help people," she explained.

Claire Readman founded Mental Health Friends in 2019 after battling depression and social anxiety and recovering from a breakdown.

"I have been in a very deep, dark, place, so if I can make a small difference to one person, that's all that matters," she said.

The charity helps to create supportive communities to support mental health and prioritises early intervention.

It organises drop-ins every Thursday at the Chatty Parrot Cafe in Brackley.

Each contestant has a goal of £250 which will go towards mental health as well as the Step-By-Step Arts Foundation.

"There is such little funding, so little support out there and the waiting lists are huge so if we can intervene early on and make a change, that's what matters to me."

Michelle May Hetherington is a contestant and someone with first-hand experience of the positive impact of the charity.

She has previously battled addiction but has now been sober for the last seven years.

In that time, she has worked on recovery and improved her mental health and said she felt like she owed Claire Readman her life.

"In the addiction, it's quite lonely and you break people's hearts. I have two beautiful children and I can never get those years back.

"I can show them that I've changed and they can be proud of me and they are proud of me," she explained.

Despite not having danced since she was five years old, the friendly environment has made it less daunting.

"It's like a family, they've all got your back.

"I've gone out of my comfort zone massively and I'm still uncomfortable... but I won't let people down," Hetherington added.

Neil Cassidy, a builder from Northampton, began competing in local dance competitions in 2023 and is advocating for more men to take part.

"We need more men to apply as contestants...it's good for fitness and good for the head," he said.

Cassidy said there is a "stigma" around male dancers but "there's lots of people here to support you and help you get involved."

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