ZoieLogic’s Annual Report 25

Project focus: We Are Holyrood

an explainer

ZoieLogic Dance Theatre with the community of Holyrood estate are on a mission to create opportunities, challenge perceptions and illuminate the place we proudly call home — we call it, We Are Holyrood.

Holyrood is an inner-city estate in Southampton, surrounded by gentrification, 0.5 miles in diameter with over 2,500 residents and over 15 different languages spoken in this geographical area of the city alone.

The Highlights

This year, we have expanded our reach, deepened our impact, and cultivated a thriving space for artistic expression and inclusive participation. Our regular programming provided 24 dance sessions for young people, 12 dance sessions for adults, and 12 community drop-in sessions.

We delivered 2 youth dance platforms in Newbury and Southampton, partnering with 13 schools and organisations to deliver 32 workshops across the region. Thanks to successful funding from the Backstage Trust, the Southampton platform was fully subsidised, removing financial barriers for participating schools.

Monthly activity attendance exceeded our 20% growth target.
The Holyrood Hub alone drove a 77% increase in participation.
By the end of the year the total participant numbers grew by a further 27%, with young people transitioning into older age groups and three new recruits joining.
Engagement in intensive projects (The Hub, Film, Dance) surged by 70%, exceeding our 30% growth target.

ZoieLogic’s Annual Report 25

Project focus: ManMade

an explainer

ManMade is an all male youth dance platform that brings together young people from different secondary and primary schools, to push the boundaries of boys dance. We are so proud that ManMade offers a stepping stone for young people identifying as male to progress their dance skills.

Our unique approach provides specialist training from professional dancers and choreographers, resulting in a high profile celebration on a theatre stage.

The Highlights

ManMade exceeded expectations this year in workshop delivery, school engagement, and funding success — significantly increasing accessibility for young male dancers.

In total, 250 participants performed across the two platforms, and we sold 463 tickets.

Targets smashed: We exceeded workshop targets across both Newbury and Solent regions, surpassing initial targets.
Schools on stage: Strong school engagement securing 13 school and organisational partnerships, exceeding expectations and strengthening regional networks.
Generous support: Major funding success from the Backstage Trust enabled full subsidy for the Southampton platform, significantly improving accessibility and participation.
Diversity: Strong platform representation with excellent involvement from local schools and organisations, ensuring diverse and vibrant performances.

ZoieLogic’s Annual Report 25

Fuzzy Youth Dance Companies

A run down of our youth companies

FuzzyVision – In FuzzyVision classes boys are guided and supported on a journey of exploring new territory and exciting possibilities – no experience necessary.

FuzzyClear – A company for boys and young men with autism and other sensory differences. We explore ideas, stories and themes using improvisation, contact work, games, tasks and storytelling to create performances.

FuzzyLogic – A nationally acclaimed touring company for young men and boys to excel in dance and creativity. It is often a stepping stone for young males going on to study dance or work professionally.

The Highlights

This year we engaged 19 permanent members of Fuzzy, delivering 145 youth company sessions, producing 1 new work, and creating 6 performance opportunities. We expanded the FuzzyClear cohort by adding an additional weekly class for a younger age group and successfully rebuilt a younger FuzzyLogic cohort after the graduation of many long-standing members in 2023/24.

Nearly 200 hours of activity: We delivered 140 FuzzyWorld sessions and 5 intensive FuzzyLogic sessions, maintaining high engagement levels
Fuzzy on stage: FuzzyLogic premiered their new work, with 6 performances in and beyond the region.
Personal development: Internal progression was a highlight, with older company members stepping into a leadership role within ZoieLogic and another receiving targeted mentorship to support his development.

Introduction from Zoie Golding MBE, Artistic Director and ben mcmahon, ZOieLogic chair

We are moving bigger, bolder, and stronger than ever! This year has been about breaking barriers, sparking movement, and proving that dance belongs to everyone.

From our Fuzzy Youth Companies, where we rebuilt and strengthened our cohorts, to ManMade, where 250 young men owned the stage, we’ve been pushing boundaries and championing change. Our work in Holyrood has flourished, with The Holyrood Hub driving a 77% surge in engagement, and our education programme has grown—training 7 new male facilitators to inspire and ignite the next generation.

And then, there’s The Big Movement. A game-changing three-year programme, bringing mass participation, powerful conversations, and transformative opportunities for men in movement. This is about rewriting the story – challenging perceptions, creating new pathways, and making space for more people to move, express, and belong.

But beyond the numbers, it’s the energy, the stories, the moments that matter. The young dancer who found his confidence. The community that came together through movement. The sheer joy of breaking down walls and making space for more people to dance.

— Zoie

This has been a year of incredible growth and impact for ZoieLogic. We have deepened our engagement with young people, expanded our educational reach, and strengthened our community, civic and business partnerships.

With the launch of The Big Movement, we are taking another bold step forward – championing more men into dance, challenging stereotypes, and promoting mental wellbeing through movement. This initiative, alongside our commitment to engaging young people and building strong partnerships, marks an exciting next chapter for ZoieLogic.

Continuing to challenge perceptions has shown that dance is truly for everyone, regardless of background, ability, or experience. As we approach our 25th year, we’re focused on sustainability, growth, and ensuring that the impact we’ve made continues to thrive for years to come. The future is exciting, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of this journey.

— Ben

MASS DANCE: Creating big dance floors

Part of our Annual Report 25, celebrating a year of zoielogic ^2024-2025

ZoieLogic Annual Report 24-25

Written by Lucy Fitzpatrick and Lizanne Smith Head. Photos by Matt Walker and dev place photos. Contributions by the ZoieLogic team

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This article is part of our Annual Report 24-25. To see the whole report, hit the link below:

Annual Report 24-25

Photo descriptions:
(1) Dancers of The Big Movement performing at the Southampton Christmas Lights Switch On 2024, led by Creative Producer Ollie Webb
(2) Participants dance during a workshop for The Big Movement
(3) Dancing on the set of The Big Movement launch film
(4) Dancers of The Big Movement performing at the Southampton Christmas Lights Switch On 2024

“I feel energised for the rest of the day. I feel more connected to both familiar and new faces of men in my city. Feel valued and warm.”

Steering group member
for The Big Movement

Mass Dance is where we go big – really big. In acts of epic collaboration, we transform public spaces into joyful dance floors, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to move as one. It’s about the buzz of the crowd, the beat of the music, and the shared energy that comes from creating something unforgettable together.

These large-scale events are moments of connection, celebration, and pure, unfiltered joy. Whether it’s 50 or 500 people, Mass Dance is a bold invitation to take part, take up space, and feel the power of unity through movement.

1. Laying the Groundwork for Cultural Shift

2024/25 was a pivotal year for research, development, and strategic planning. A choreographic R&D phase with national experts laid the creative foundation for future work, and a launch event at Mayflower Studios gathered stakeholders from across civic, business and cultural sectors.

Alongside this, two digital outputs and a bespoke website amplified the campaign’s advocacy reach. Notably, national recognition came via a feature on The One Show as part of the LET’S DANCE campaign, positioning The Big Movement as a bold new vision for how dance and men’s mental health intersect.

2. Co-Design and Community Voice at the Core

The Big Movement was shaped by local men from the very beginning, embedding co-creation at the heart of the process. Over 12 monthly steering group sessions, a core group of 20 men consistently contributed to shaping the programme’s identity, structure and engagement plan. This model ensured that the evolving programme was not just for men but with men, honouring lived experience and amplifying diverse voices. Bespoke adult dance sessions through The Collective offered an ongoing opportunity for men to engage physically, creatively, and socially.

3. Strategic Partnerships and Inclusive Growth

New city partners joined the movement Solent Mind, ManGang, Saints Foundation, Abri, Mayflower Studios and Mettricks. These collaborations span mental health, housing and culture, signalling a wide appetite for creative, preventative approaches to wellbeing. A unique workplace dance activation for men, delivered in partnership with a corporate business, pushed dance into new territory.

4. Mental Health and Movement Intertwined

The Big Movement is designed to support men’s mental health by combining creative expression with opportunities for connection and conversation. Alongside The Collective, 33 men engaged in community workshops, reaching groups including the Army Welfare Service in Marchwood, Abri residents in Mansbridge and offering accessible public tasters such as Let’s Dance.

Complementing these were 3 open-access social events that blended creativity, guest speakers and networking, ranging from a spoken word night for International Day of Happiness to a festive dinner and a talk on grief awareness. 27 individuals participated, with representation from 6 local partners and community organisations, creating welcoming spaces for dialogue and community-building.

A performance at the Southampton Christmas Light Switch-On marked the project’s first public moment to an audience of 4000, a symbol of what’s to come.

“We’re proud to be partnering with ZoieLogic Dance Theatre to provide more opportunities for men to move more for positive mental health, and take another step towards a world where anyone who is experiencing a mental health problem has access to the support they need”

Sally Arscott
CEO of Solent Mind

Projects and programmes mentioned in this report

The Big Movement

About us

We are ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. We connect people through the power of movement. We challenge norms and defy expectations of who dance is for, where and how you experience it.

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Hometown: Bringing dance to your doorstep

Part of our Annual Report 25, celebrating a year of zoielogic ^2024-2025

ZoieLogic Annual Report 24-25

Written by Lucy Fitzpatrick and Lizanne Smith Head. Photos by Matt Walker and dev place photos. Contributions by the ZoieLogic team

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This article is part of our Annual Report 24-25. To see the whole report, hit the link below:

Annual Report 24-25

Photo descriptions:
(1) Young people dancing at The Holyrood Hub 2024
(2) The young people from Holyrood who took part in “The Adventures of the Heroes of Holyrood” film
(3) Young Hongkongers taking part in our community project in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council
(4) Young people from Holyrood dancing at the premiere of “The Adventures of the Heroes of Holyrood”

“Thank you! My children didn’t like dancing before, but now they enjoy using moves to express themselves. You make such a difference“

Parent and audience member
Wokingham Refugee Project

Driven by people’s stories, we are using dance to animate the places communities call home, the places that are familiar to us, and illuminating what is important to each community. Our long term vision for Hometown is to be nationally recognised in empowering communities to become the masters of creative activation.

1. Expanding Hyper-local Access to Dance

Across Southampton and beyond, Hometown delivered a total of 84 creative sessions, including 48 local dance and community sessions, 26 bespoke workshops, and 10 education partnerships. We engaged 496 participants, including 160 students through schools and 86 individuals outside of Southampton. Community partnerships were vital to the success of our Hometown programme and included Blue Apple Theatre, Hampshire Community Heritage, Winchester Hat Fair and Wokingham Borough Council.

Monthly attendance exceeded growth targets, with a 27% overall rise in participation and 70% of refugee participants reporting improved mood and happiness. Through these diverse access points, we brought dance to people’s doorsteps, embedded creativity in local spaces, and empowered individuals of all ages and backgrounds to explore self-expression through movement.

2. Strengthening Community Connections Through Creativity

Through initiatives like The Hub Festival and Live at the Library, Hometown brought together 674 attendees in creative celebration, breaking down social barriers and building trust. The Hub alone drove a 77% increase in participation, with workshops in dance, arts, wellbeing, and storytelling. Holyrood activity and Bespoke Community Projects such as Hat Fair strengthened social connections through storytelling, shared creative experiences, and the visible celebration of local identity.

3. Championing Underrepresented Communities and New Voices

Hometown intentionally targeted underrepresented groups. Partnerships with Hat Fair and Wokingham Borough Council ensured access for learning disabled dancers and refugee communities, ensuring creative ownership was placed in local hands. Engagement in We Are Holyrood reflects and celebrates the diversity of the community, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, neurodivergence and disability. The Adventures of Holyrood Heroes film project, enabled nine young people to lead on choreography, sound, design, and filming reaching 1,400+ viewers across in-person and digital screenings.

4. Creating Sustainable Impact and Pathways for the Future

Beyond engagement, Hometown invested in skills, careers, and education. Through 10 school partnerships, 160 students participated in workshops and one long-term programme, with 7 newly trained male facilitators joining the team. Creative projects developed emotional wellbeing with70% of refugee participants reported improved mood and Live at the Library reimagined the library as a vibrant cultural venue, with 73% of participants visiting it for the first time.

“ZoieLogic’s is so well connected with the community here and especially young people, it made a huge difference to why people joined in. This is an excellent example of strong community relationships which have helped build trust and confidence”

Malkeat Singh
Engagement Officer
Southampton City Council

Projects and programmes mentioned in this report

We Are Holyrood

Stories in Motion

About us

We are ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. We connect people through the power of movement. We challenge norms and defy expectations of who dance is for, where and how you experience it.

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Get guys dancing: Redefining perceptions in dance

Part of our Annual Report 25, celebrating a year of zoielogic ^2024-2025

ZoieLogic Annual Report 24-25

Written by Lucy Fitzpatrick and Lizanne Smith Head. Photos by Matt Walker. Contributions by the ZoieLogic team

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This article is part of our Annual Report 24-25. To see the whole report, hit the link below:

Annual Report 24-25

Photo descriptions:
(1) FuzzyLogic perform ‘Enter Intelligence’ at ManMade 2025
(2) Oasis Academy Lordshill get ready for their performance at ManMade 2025
(3) Redbridge Community School perform on stage at ManMade 2025
(4) Oasis Academy Lordshill perform a group lift at ManMade 2025

“This was a magical evening and it was so good to see young people both in the audience and on the stage so enthusiastic and expressing themselves through dance”

Cllr Katherine Barbour
Southampton City Council
ManMade Solent Audience Member

We are leading the way in creating access to dance, nurturing talent, challenging perceptions of who dance is for and celebrating positive male identity. And we’ve been doing it since 2000, it’s where our story began…

1. Inspiring Passion and Creativity

Our spaces gave boys the freedom to move, express, and belong. Across 32 ManMade workshops, over 250 boys, many in their first ever male only creative space, found joy and connection through dance. The sense of achievement was clear in their reflections and performances.

2. Unlocking Dance as Holistic Physical Activity

This year Get Guys Dancing continues to demonstrate the broader skills development that dance and movement can offer. Participation in male only non-competitive physical activity enhances teamwork, communication, self-expression, emotional awareness and confidence. Fuzzy engaged 19 young men and boys long term across 145 sessions for our 3 youth companies.

FuzzyLogic’s focus on performance development showed increased commitment, connection and reflective capacity, highlighting the wider personal and social development benefits of co-creation and sustained engagement.

3. Celebrating Achievement and Building Legacy

With 6 public performances of a brand-new FuzzyLogic work, including 2 ManMade platforms (Newbury and Southampton), boys took centre stage. 463 audience members witnessed their growth and talent. Meanwhile, older FuzzyLogic members progressed into leadership and mentoring roles keeping the legacy alive.

4. Expanding Representation and Accessibility

Our work reached boys from diverse backgrounds. Thanks to full subsidy from the Backstage Trust, the Southampton ManMade platform removed financial barriers and welcomed schools from across the region. This year also saw the expansion of FuzzyClear with the addition of a brand-new class for younger participants tailored to boys aged 7-11 with autism and other sensory differences.

5. Strengthening ZoieLogic’s Sector Leadership

ZoieLogic continued to be recognised for bold, high-quality male engagement in the arts. The success of FuzzyLogic, increased demand for ManMade, and the launch of our ‘RISE’ film all reinforced our reputation as national leaders redefining dance for boys and young men.

What we’re seeing:

Dance builds more than skill, it’s building identity;
Our work is sparking sustained engagement and shaping future pathways in dance and beyond;
We’re reaching more diverse male communities, providing non-competitive, male-led environments.

We’re not just getting guys dancing. We’re growing confidence, connection, and creativity while advocating for the power of dance.

Confidence, Bravery, Freedom, Control, Coordination, Teamwork, Friends, Expression, Discipline, Creativity

When we asked ManMade 2025 participants what words they associate with dance, these are the answers they gave

Projects and programmes mentioned in this report

Fuzzy Youth Companies

ManMade

About us

We are ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. We connect people through the power of movement. We challenge norms and defy expectations of who dance is for, where and how you experience it.

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ZOIE GOLDING MBE

A celebrated cultural pioneer, dance innovator and social-change leader who has shaped the UK and international creative industries, events landscape and dance sector for over two decades.

As a Creative Director, Executive Facilitator and Keynote Speaker, she is known for transforming bold ideas into high-impact experiences that connect communities and inspire positive change.

Founder of the nationally acclaimed ZoieLogic Dance Theatre and FuzzyLogic Youth Dance Company, Zoie has redefined who dance is for and how it can powerfully engage people, especially those traditionally excluded from the arts. Her award-winning projects and productions have inspired, challenged conventions and expanded access to high-quality dance experiences for thousands of people.

With 25+ years leading teams across public, corporate and global event environments, she specialises in action-focused leadership and facilitation that aligns teams and accelerates strategy. A compelling speaker on leadership, resilience and creative courage, Zoie received an MBE in 2022 for her outstanding contribution to dance, culture and community impact.

To contact Zoie, you can email zoie@zoielogic.co.uk, or DM on LinkedIn

“Leading creatively means trusting the unknown, turning failure into inspiration, and using imagination to shape experiences that others thought impossible.”

— Zoie Golding MBE

Book Zoie to speak at your event

Zoie Golding MBE is a renowned empowerment speaker whose passion and energy ignite every room she enters. Known for her dynamic, relatable approach, Zoie transforms her personal triumphs and failures in the creative sector into powerful lessons for life and business. She inspires audiences to embrace resilience, navigate uncertainty, and lead with confidence, turning imagination and intuition into actionable results.

Her signature talks What Would Zoie Do? and The Art of Listening to Yourself, grab audiences attention through storytelling and practical takeaways. Zoie equips individuals to trust their instincts, embrace risk, and see that anything is possible. Each talk leaves audiences motivated, energised, and ready to drive action and change.

“Zoie has the power to make you feel invincible to make changes in your life personally and professionally for the better, totally inspiring!”

— Audience member

Work with Zoie as an Artistic Director

Zoie’s talent is world-building: designing concepts, sets, movement vocabularies, and theatrical atmospheres that draw people in, even if they’ve never danced before. From pioneering youth and community projects and challenging stereotypes to leading large-scale, internationally acclaimed events. Her landmark projects include Critical Mass at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and The Big Movement, a global-first mass male movement event tackling men’s mental health through collective action.

As founder of the award-winning ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, Zoie has redefined where and how dance is experienced, bringing it to theatres, festivals and unusual public spaces. Productions like SAFE, Heist and critically acclaimed Ride have toured across the UK and her work has been featured by BBC iPlayer, BBC News, The Guardian, ITV, and The One Show praised for their innovation, inclusivity, and ability to spark conversation.

For Zoie, every show or event is about reaching people at the core of what it means to live. Unleashing the feeling of wonder, energy, mystery and surprise going on a journey of reflection and connection.

“Working with Zoie is always an experience you never forget, she directs and leads with heart, transparency, and real vulnerability. She brings the team together, guiding us through the creative process with clarity and care, and somehow turns the impossible into something we all believe in and where all involved thrives“

— Jess Barber, Movement Director, Last Rose of Summer (Mayflower)

Find out more about ZoieLogic

Learn all you need to know about our company and our work

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The science behind dance

Dancing has been shown to have a positive effect on people with depression, anxiety and stress. In one study, dancing for just 25 minutes reduced the symptoms of depression by 47 percent, and dancing for 45 minutes reduced the symptoms of anxiety by 57 percent.

Dancing has been found to decrease cortisol levels – the hormone that is released when we are stressed – improve our moods, increase our energy levels and releases endorphins, which help us feel good.

“Regardless of the style of dance, adults who participated in dance interventions showed a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress compared to groups that did not participate in any type of intervention.”

— Journal of Dance Medicine & Science

Study Area

A recent study which analysed over 200 high quality studies found dance to be better than other physical activity when it comes to improving motivation, supporting aspects of memory, increasing social awareness and reducing distress.

— Sports Medicine

A 2025 study found that dancing can be more effective at reducing stress for some people than traditional gym workouts. Participants experienced lowered cortisol levels, reduced anxiety and improved mood due to the release of endorphins and oxytocin during dance sessions. It also found dance can facilitate emotional expression and foster social bonds which create a powerful buffer against stress.

— University of Surrey

A 2024 study found that dance appears to be a promising treatment for depression, and perhaps more effective for some than SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) for short-term depression relief.
The study also highlighted that dance not only boosts neurotransmitter activity but also offers benefits in the way of social interaction.

— British Medical Journal

Support us by giving to ZoieLogic on EasyFundraiser

There is now an even easier way to support our work and it won’t cost you a penny! ZoieLogic has set up an easyfundraising page which generates donations for not for profits through online shopping that you’re already doing.

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To make things even easier, Easyfundraising has set up an option to install their browser extension, called the Donation Reminder. It will pop up on every trailer site where a donation is available, which means you don’t have to remember to come to easyfundraising first!

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To chat about supporting us on Easyfundraiser, contact our Senior Producer Lizanne Smith Head

Meet the team