A CHESTER dance company and a city support service are joining forces to empower women.

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service (CSASS) are embarking on a new project, Empowering Women through Dance, with the aim of supporting local women to build confidence and friendship.

The project has been made possible through funding from Cheshire Community Foundation and the Tampon Tax Fund.

This marks the second women-focused project for the dance theatre organisation, and the first time it will work in partnership with CSASS.

This project has come about through consultation with women in Chester who are already accessing projects with Fallen Angels and are keen to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

Artistic director of Fallen Angels Paul Bayes Kitcher said: “The overriding theme that comes up time and again for women in recovery is confidence, and self-belief.”

“This is an especially exciting time for Fallen Angels as we embark on a whole organisational development period with funding from Arts Council England’s Elevate programme.”

Fallen Angels will support 12 women survivors through the project. Participants may have experienced recovery from addiction, sexual violence and mental health challenges.

Fallen Angels is excited by the new development of working in partnership with the CSASS.

Claire Morris, project manager, said: "Together we will explore stories about survivors and recovery. We will draw strength from one another becoming empowered and confident women."

Kathryn Kirk, outreach manager for CSASS, said: “We are delighted to be part of this innovative and exciting project. The links between addiction, mental health and sexual abuse makes an obvious partnership.

"The healing potential of mindfulness and creative movement used in this project for women who have been raped or sexually abused is a powerful one.

"We are looking forward to learning from Fallen Angels’ hugely successful work”.

For more information about the women’s project or how to get involved, email claire@fallenangelsdancetheatre.co.uk.