Burlesque For Belonging
Creative Empowerment in Yorkshire
Building on over 8 years of delivering Burlesque With Paris across Yorkshire, Burlesque for Belonging is a structured programme designed to support women who may feel excluded from traditional arts opportunities.
The project focuses on creating a safe, inclusive environment where participants can build confidence, explore creativity, and connect with others. Sessions are designed to be welcoming and accessible to beginners, with an emphasis on body confidence, self-expression and social connection.
Through a combination of movement, performance and creative making, participants are supported to develop new skills while gaining confidence in themselves and their abilities. The programme is delivered in a supportive “Brave Space”, ensuring participants feel safe, respected and able to engage at their own pace.
By bringing this work into communities across Yorkshire, particularly in areas with limited access to creative opportunities, the project aims to create meaningful, positive experiences that support wellbeing and a stronger sense of belonging.
This footage shows how Burlesque With Paris sessions are delivered in practice, highlighting the supportive “Brave Space” approach that underpins the programme. It captures participants building confidence, exploring movement, and connecting with others in a safe and inclusive environment.
The film also demonstrates how burlesque techniques are introduced in an accessible way, allowing beginners to develop skills while feeling supported and included throughout the process.
Our outreach approach is focused on reaching women within their local communities. We use a combination of printed flyers and social media advertising to connect with participants across Hull, Selby, Doncaster, and Featherstone.
The flyers are designed to feel welcoming, inclusive, and accessible, helping people feel confident to take part, particularly those who may be new to creative activity or experiencing isolation. This approach allows us to reach individuals who may not usually engage with arts opportunities and invite them into a safe and supportive environment.