How RISE began locally and where it could go next, from workplaces to festivals.
When RISE first began, the ambition wasn't to build a movement, launch a brand or create a national programme.
The idea was much simpler than that. I wanted to create a space where people could come together through music and movement without many of the things that often get in the way. No alcohol. No pressure to perform. No expectation to socialise. Just good music, freedom of movement and the opportunity to be present. Folkestone felt like the right place to start.
It's a town with a strong creative community, an independent spirit and people who are often open to trying something different. The first sessions were small. Nobody knew exactly how they would unfold. We were learning as we went, listening to feedback and paying attention to what people responded to. What quickly became clear was that people were looking for experiences like this. Not because they wanted another fitness class or another night out. They were looking for something that felt more human.
As the sessions developed, we started hearing similar feedback from participants. People talked about feeling lighter afterwards. More connected. Less stressed. More themselves. Some arrived feeling nervous and left feeling energised. Others came simply because they were curious and discovered something they hadn't realised they needed.
What stood out most was the variety of people walking through the door. Different ages. Different backgrounds. Different reasons for attending. Some came for wellbeing. Some came for the music. Some came because they were sober. Others had no interest in sobriety at all but were attracted by the atmosphere and sense of community.
That diversity helped shape our understanding of what RISE could become. Rather than being created for one specific audience, the experience seemed capable of adapting to many different environments while keeping the same core principles intact.
The more conversations we had, the more we began to see opportunities beyond the original venue. People working in organisations spoke about stress, burnout and disconnection. Festival organisers talked about creating more meaningful experiences for attendees. Community groups discussed loneliness and the need for spaces where people could gather in positive ways. Although these challenges exist in different settings, many of the underlying needs are remarkably similar.
People want connection. People want opportunities to switch off from constant demands. People want experiences that help them feel present and engaged rather than distracted and overwhelmed.
Music and movement provide a surprisingly accessible way of meeting those needs. Because RISE doesn't rely on dance ability, specialist equipment or lengthy explanations, it can adapt to a wide range of audiences and environments.
The experience changes. The intention remains the same.
Today, we see potential for RISE in many different spaces.
The exciting thing is that every environment brings something unique. A workplace session feels different to a festival gathering. A community event feels different to a retreat. Yet the core experience remains recognisable because it is built around simple human principles rather than a rigid format.
Growth has never been the primary motivation behind RISE. What's more important is protecting the quality of the experience. The things people value most are often the simplest. The welcoming atmosphere. The absence of pressure. The quality of the music. The freedom to participate in a way that feels comfortable.
As RISE evolves, those foundations matter far more than scale. The aim isn't to be everywhere. The aim is to create meaningful experiences wherever RISE happens to be. That means growing thoughtfully, listening carefully and making sure each new opportunity stays connected to the values that inspired the project in the first place.
When I think about the future of RISE, I don't picture bigger crowds or larger venues. I picture more people having access to the experience. I picture workplaces creating healthier cultures. Communities finding new ways to connect. Festivals offering moments of genuine presence alongside celebration. Individuals discovering that they don't need alcohol, performance or perfection in order to feel free.
The venue may change. The audience may change. The setting may change. But the intention remains exactly the same as it was during those first sessions in Folkestone. Create a space where people can move, connect and leave feeling better than when they arrived. That's where RISE started. And that's where it's heading.
