Member wins award for supporting dancers in the pandemic
News from BACP

Our member Terry Hyde has won an award for his work supporting the mental health of dance professionals and students during the pandemic.

Terry, who established Counselling for Dancers four years ago, was named the Dance Healthcare Practitioner in the One Dance UK Awards.

One Dance UK Awards said the award celebrated someone whose practice benefits the mental or physical health and wellbeing of dance professionals and students. It added that the award was given to someone who had a deep understanding of the needs of dancers and strives to ensure the best possible outcomes for those who they work with.

Delighted

He said: “I’m delighted to receive this award at a time when dancers really need as much support as possible to help their career journey.

“Since starting Counselling For Dancers in 2017 my work has been welcomed by performers of all ages.

“They have wanted help with a wide range of issues these include career pressure, auditions, bullying, exam anxiety, body image, eating disorders, transition and injury.”

The performing arts were hit particularly hard by the pandemic as performances had to stop due to the lockdowns and social distancing requirements. The fear of performance pressure was replaced by anxiety and uncertainty around employment, finances and the future.

During the height of the pandemic, Terry provided free online therapy for dancers in the UK and abroad.

Experiences

And earlier this year he launched the free Help4Dancers app, which brought together a group of experts to support dancers in all aspects of their careers, from their mental health to nutrition, from fitness and conditioning to creating a brand and building portfolios.

Terry performed with the Royal Ballet and London’s Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) as well as in musical theatre, film and TV. Based in the Isle of Wight, he is a guest lecturer at University College London (UCL).

He said: “Because of my own experiences as a performer, I’m able to bring a genuine understanding of the unique demands that are placed on dancers into my psychotherapy practice.”