Case study – inclusive woodland silent discos a big hit in Dudley

I can’t explain what that’s done for me, it’s brought back good memories for a change.

It was amazing, I’m buzzing.

These were just two of the reflections from some of the people who took part in silent discos in a woodland setting organised by Ekho Collective, a Dudley social enterprise committed to fostering positive change through inclusive, community-driven initiatives. The Brierley Hill-based CIC designs initiatives with a strong emphasis on the benefits of nature connection for health and wellbeing.

The key objective was to provide a safe and accepting environment for those who would not usually access or feel comfortable dancing in a social environment, giving them the opportunity to be active and engage in and enjoy physical movement.

To achieve this, Ekho Collective hosted a series of five silent discos with specific target groups in a woodland setting within Hawbush Community Gardens, creating a safe, inclusive space that promoted movement, connection, and wellbeing for individuals facing physical, social, emotional, or mental health challenges.

How was Active Black Country involved?

The silent discos delivered by Ekho Collective were part of the Activity Alliance’s Get Out Get Active programme activities. Facilitated by ABC across the Black Country in spring 2025, they focused on creating inclusive opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to be active together to improve mental wellbeing, physical health, and self-confidence.

Key outcomes and impact

These unique sessions offered more than just music, they sparked movement, connection and joy amongst participants.

• Safety and stepping out of comfort zones: Individuals engaged in physical movement in ways that encouraged them to step outside their comfort zones in a comfortable, safe and non-judgemental environment. Many danced, sang and engaged freely, despite their initial nerves.
• Physical activity for all: Everyone moved in their own way whether seated or standing, highlighting that inclusive, adaptive design can enable physical activity without pressure. It was movement on their own terms which mattered the most.
• Social connection and confidence: Even quieter participants opened up, showing increased confidence and self-expression. Guardians reported how the event contributed to participants’ sense of improved social connection and reduced feelings of isolation, especially among those who were typically more reserved.
• Experiences like this can support ongoing participation in community-based activities, reducing anxiety around group environments, and support in laying the foundation for healthier more socially connected lives.

Learnings

1. Environment is paramount: Being outdoors in nature helped reduce anxiety and offered a more freeing, calming experience in comparison to being in an indoor setting. Attendees also commented that they would never attend this type of event if it was indoors. Being outdoors made it more appealing, less confining and less intimidating for them.
2. The silent disco concept: It offered a fresh experience that sparked curiosity and interest, showing that locals are open to new activities if and when the opportunity is presented to them.
3. No competition, no judgement: Movement was entirely individual. There was no right or wrong way to take part. This judgement-free, adaptive and inclusive model encouraged participants to feel safe, seen and move in ways that suited them.
4. Familiar faces: Attending with familiar staff, family or peers who felt equally welcomed helped reduce anxiety and boosted engagement.
5. Free to attend: Making the sessions free addressed a key barrier for many in the Black Country and it enabled equitable access through creating opportunities for people who might not otherwise have been able to take part, especially those facing financial hardship.

Sharing insights

The inclusive woodland silent discos offer valuable insight into how creative, nature-based approaches can broaden access to physical activity and support individual and community wellbeing. These sessions helped participants build stronger connections to their local outdoor spaces and to one another, highlighting the role of joyful, low-pressure activity in nurturing confidence, connection, and a deeper sense of place.

For Black Country partners shaping inclusive, community-based provision, it’s important to design activity in ways that are adaptable, accessible and rooted in the realities of people’s lives. This model aligns strongly with social prescribing, offering meaningful, locally embedded opportunities that support mental and physical health.

Find more information about Ekho Collective by clicking here