Skip to main content

MP Chris Bryant visits Trinity Laban

Thu 18 July 2019

The MP for the Rhondda visited the Faculty of Dance to see world-class training in action

Trinity Laban was delighted to welcome Chris Bryant, Labour Member of Parliament for the Rhondda and former Shadow Cabinet Minister, to the Conservatoire’s award-winning Laban Building on Thursday 11 July.

Guided by Principal of Trinity Laban Professor Anthony Bowne, Chair of Governors Harriet Harman MP, and Director of Dance Sara Matthews, Chris toured the Faculty of Dance facilities including the specialist Dance Science Lab, where he had the chance to talk to Head of Dance Science Professor Emma Redding and observe research in action.

Trinity Laban was the first UK institution to offer an MSc in Dance Science and is one of the founding partners of the National Institute for Dance Medicine and Science.

Chris commented –

“It was a pleasure to see Trinity Laban’s world-class dance facilities first-hand and learn more about the leading research activity and internationally celebrated training happening at this centre of excellence.

The Welsh Labour Party politician is a strong advocate for raising adequate healthcare standards and has called for major improvements to neuro-rehabilitation services in order to increase aftercare for brain injury patients.

He continued –

 “It was particularly encouraging to hear about the great work Trinity Laban is doing with dance in healthcare settings, from their pioneering physiological and psychological screening techniques used to support professional dancers to Dancing for Health, a weekly dance class for adults recovering from acquired brain injury or stroke.

“Trinity Laban is a great example of how an institution can make a hugely positive impact beyond higher education.”

Trinity Laban runs Dancing for Health in collaboration with Headway Lewisham and King’s College Hospital. The project aims to improve participants’ wellbeing and movement capabilities in a fun and safe environment and is one of many wider community and public programmes delivered by the Conservatoire’s Learning and Participation team.

For more information on public engagement and community programmes, visit trinitylaban.ac.uk/take-part

Image L-R: Professor Emma Redding, Harriet Harman MP, Chris Bryant MP, Sara Matthews, Professor Anthony Bowne