From Community Fitness to Island-Wide Impact: The ODAF Story (and What’s Next)

If you’ve ever rolled out a mat in one of our classes, waved your glow sticks at a kids’ party, or shared a cuppa after Active Movers, you’re part of this story.

Orkney Dance & Fitness (ODAF) began with a simple belief: movement changes everything when it’s accessible, friendly, and rooted in community.

How it started

Years ago I began teaching in hall spaces with a handful of regulars.

We didn’t have a studio or a van, but we had energy, music, and the desire to help people feel better in their bodies. Word spread. One class became two, then a timetable, then a calendar full of community events and outreach across the West Mainland.

What ODAF looks like today - Community Fitness

We’re now a Social Enterprise (since March 2022) delivering inclusive movement and wellbeing across Orkney. On any given week you might find us teaching:

• Active Movers: seated exercise and falls prevention sessions welcoming older adults and anyone returning to movement.

  
  

• Parkinson’s Fitness and Parkinson's Beats: music-led mobility, balance and connection.

  
  

• Boogie Bounce for people who love a feel-good sweat.

  
  

• BodyTone for strength you can feel in daily life.

  
  

• Community events like Glow Parties, Rodeo Line Dancing, Pilates • Prosecco • Pamper nights, and more.

  
  

• Partnership work with local halls, associations, and health & wellbeing teams.

  
  

We’ve grown because of you—the ODAF Crew—showing up for yourselves and each other. Your stories keep us going: hips that don’t ache on the stairs, confidence to dance again, friendships formed over post-class coffees, and families celebrating together at our events.

Why we exist (and always will)

Movement is more than fitness. In rural communities, it’s connection, prevention, independence, joy. We design our timetable and programmes to be:

• Inclusive: all ages and abilities are welcome.

  
  

• Local: if there’s a hall and a kettle, we’ll try to bring a class.

  
  

• Evidence-informed: sessions that genuinely support strength, balance, mobility and mental wellbeing.

  
  

• Community-first: profits are reinvested to widen access and reach more people.

Recent highlights we’re proud of

• Growing partnerships with local groups and health teams.

  
  

• Supporting student placements and building intergenerational connections in class.

  
  

• Being recognised in awards shortlists, wins and community nominations

• Building a membership model that makes regular movement easier and more affordable.

  
  
  
  

What’s next: Thrive Orkney & scaling our impact

We’re exploring a dedicated community wellbeing studio, a welcoming, non-clinical space for preventative health, social prescribing, and community-led programmes. Imagine: reliable venue access all year round, a café corner for post-class chats, accessible facilities, and room to pilot new classes and partnerships. We’ll keep you posted as this develops and share ways to get involved.

How you can be part of it

Try a class: whether you’re brand new or returning after a break, there’s a place for you.

• Bring a friend or family member: movement is easier (and more fun) together.

• Join our community updates: get class news, event invites and small, actionable wellbeing tips.

• Tell us what you need: rural access, daytime options, mobility support—your feedback shapes our timetable.

  
  

Thank you for being here—whether you’re dancing in high-tops, bouncing with the kids, or easing back into movement after an injury. ODAF belongs to all of us, and the best chapters are still to come.

With gratitude,

Donna Cuthbertson

CEO & Creative Director, Orkney Dance & Fitness

Author bio

About Donna

Donna Cuthbertson is the founder of Orkney Dance & Fitness, a Social Enterprise bringing inclusive movement and wellbeing to communities across Orkney. She leads programmes from Active Movers to Boogie Bounce, and champions partnerships that put prevention, connection and joy at the heart of health.