The Octagon Theatre

Creative activities that provide emotional and physical support to individuals with mental health and physical support to individuals with mental health and long-term health conditions, delivered in partnership with NHS trusts, community organisations, and voluntary services.

Our projects provide support for individuals to take part in creative arts activities, in a nurturing environment.

Projects including:

Parkinson’s Dance in Langport, a movement & dance project designed specifically to address the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Movement Through Cancer in Yeovil, a movement & dance project designed specifically for people living with or at any point of their cancer journey.

Time Together in Wincanton, a music-making project aimed at parents feeling low at the birth of their child.

Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra in Chard, a music-making project aimed at adults who have reported mental health challenges or would like extra support.

Octagon Memory Choir in Yeovil, a singing project aimed at people living with dementia or memory challenges, and their carers.

Parkinson's Dance in Langport

Parkinson's Dance is a fun and creative movement-based session, designed specifically to address the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sessions are led by a team of two specially trained practitioners, using the Parkinson’s Dance Science model - a marriage of physiotherapy and creative dance with researched and evidenced underpinnings. Sessions feature a variety of dance styles, focusing on: posture, strength, coordination, balance, creativity, suppleness and most of all, fun. Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to connect and chat over a cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.

"I noticed them walking in at the start, relying heavily on their two walking sticks. They have just walked out of here with them under his arm!" Carer

When: Mondays 10am – 11:30am

Venue: Ridgway Hall, Langport, TA10 9PQ 

Facilitators: Carrie Madgwick & Sammy Gillingham

For more info and to take part in our Parkinson’s Dance project: Parkinson’s Dance

Hear from participants of our Parkinson’s Dance project in this short film:

 Movement Through Cancer in Yeovil

Movement Through Cancer is a movement and dance project designed specifically for people living with or at any point of their cancer journey. The sessions are led by a team of specially trained practitioners, with support of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and The Octagon Theatre. The creative dance and movement-based sessions are aimed at those undergoing treatment, in recovery and those affected by cancer to explore moving and dancing to music in a relaxed, uplifting and fun environment. Participants will be supported throughout with seated and standing options, plus time to connect and chat over a cup of tea or coffee at the end of every session.

"I haven’t smiled that much in so long!" Participant

"I forget everything else going on in my life and I can be free, be me…. These classes make me feel alive."  Participant

When: Mondays 1:30pm – 3pm

Venue: Ridgway Hall, Langport, TA10 9PQ 

Facilitators: Carrie Madgwick & Sammy Gillingham

For more info and to take part in our Movement Through Cancer project: Movement Through Cancer

Hear from participants of our Movement Through Cancer project in this short film created last year:

Time Together in Wincanton

Time Together is a music-making project aimed at new parents and their babies aged 0 – 12months to experience music together. The Octagon Theatre are working in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to deliver this 8-week music making project at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton. Musicians from BSO will lead participants and their babies through sensory and creative based music activities aimed at increasing bonding. Parents and babies will go on a creative journey through making their own music, using their voices and having a go at playing some instruments. Each session will end with tea and coffee and an opportunity for connecting with other parents. 

100% of participants reported that their mood was uplifted as a result of attending this project.

When: The Time Together music sessions run weekly for a block of 8 sessions, on Tuesday's 11am – 12:30pm

Venue: Balsam Centre, Wincanton

Facilitators: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Associates & Musicians

For more details and to book your place on the project, contact OctagonOutreach@somerset.gov.uk

Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra in Merriott

Somerset Wellbeing Orchestra is a music-making project aimed at adults who have reported mental health challenges or would like extra support. The Octagon Theatre are working in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), ARK at Egwood and The WATCH Project in Chard, to deliver this weekly project. Musicians from BSO lead participants through specialist support-led activity that focuses on music making and connection with green space to positively impact participants mental health and wellbeing. The Wellbeing Orchestra gives adults the opportunity to listen to, create and play music alongside other people in a safe and supportive environment. Each session includes time for tea or coffee and an opportunity for connecting with others. 

"This project has been a magical, life changing experience for me." Participant

View this project in action on ITV news here: Orchestra Helping People With Their mental Health 

When: Tuesday's 1pm-3pm

Venue: ARK at Egwood, Merriott

Facilitators: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Associates & Musicians

For more details and to book your place on the project, contact OctagonOutreach@somerset.gov.uk

Octagon Memory Choir in Yeovil

The Octagon Memory Choir offers inclusive, joyful singing sessions for people living with dementia or experiencing memory challenges, and their carers / families. The choir provides a safe, inclusive, and uplifting space where you can engage in joyful musical activity, build social connections, and experience the therapeutic benefits of singing together. Sessions are led by trained music specialists, in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Alzheimer’s Society. No singing experience is needed, and each session starts with time to settle and chat over a free cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. 

Singing and music offer powerful benefits for both mental and physical health, boosting well-being and lifting spirits. Beyond the joy of shared musical moments, singing creates a sense of community, helping to reduce loneliness among older adults. For those living with dementia, music can gently unlock memories, ease anxiety, and foster meaningful connection.

"It was such a joyful morning — the music lifted everyone, and it felt wonderful to be part of something so positive.’" Carer

When: Fridays 11 – 12:30pm

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil BA20 2DD

Facilitators: Julie Bartlett & Lucy Singleton

For more info and to take part in our Octagon Memory Choir project: Octagon Memory Choir