about
Hungry 2 Move
We started Hungry 2 Move in response to the prevalence of eating disorders and negative body image within young people.
Negative body image or 'body dissatisfaction' can have a massive impact on a young persons, confidence, self esteem and overall mental and physical health. Body dissatisfaction is one contributor to developing disordered eating.
Eating disorders are on the rise; the number of children and young people admitted to hospital with eating disorders has increased by 35% in the last year. Eating disorders can have severe health implications and long lasting impacts with Anorexia having the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
Young people are leading increasingly inactive lifestyles with"just over 50% of children and young people not meeting the chief medical officer's guidance of at least 60 minutes of activity a day - with 30% doing less than 30 minutes a day."
Negative body image is one reason for young people avoiding exercise with"36% of girls and 24% of boys report avoiding taking part in activities like physical education due to worries about their appearance".
Research also found that those with greater body appreciation or positive body image are less likely to diet or use alcohol or cigarettes, improving overall health.
Therefore, we believe that something needs to be done to improve body image among young people, not only to reduce the risk of developing eating disorders, but also to increase the likelihood of young people engaging in healthy behaviours that they will continue with into adulthood.
We aim to be a clear voice tackling misinformation, harmful diet culture & unrealistic body standards, promoted by the beauty and wellness industry.
A review from a previous school workshop: “Hungry 2 Move recently conducted a fantastic dance workshop at our primary school, and it was an incredible experience for both students and staff. The workshop was centered around the importance of staying healthy, and it was a huge hit with our students…. Hungry 2 Move seamlessly integrated dance and health education”.
our Team
Movement Practitioner and Freelance Artist
Romy Ashmore-Hills
Freelance artist & facilitator with a BA (Hons) in Drama. Romy has worked in the participatory arts and in community setting for the past 4 years. Including work on the inclusive and integrated dance project ‘Critical Mass’ in association with the commonwealth games.
Romy is trained in creative facilitation for young people, trauma informed practice, mental health first aid, paediatric first aid, safeguarding, and is currently undergoing eating disorder training with the charity BEAT.
Romy is passionate about using dance and the arts to improve wellbeing for young people.
Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
Katie Evans
Fitness instructor and qualified Personal Trainer with a BA (Hons) in Dance. Katie experienced disordered eating and over exercising during her time at university, which led her down a route of poor mental and physical health, as well as affecting her university work.
After experiencing the negative effects of following common ‘health’ & ‘wellness’ trends, Katie decided to focus her dissertation on nutrition for dancers, and uses her online platform as a fitness instructor to raise awareness that health is more than simply how we look.
Katie wants to promote ways of looking after our mental & physical health.
Dancer and Facilitator
Charley Perks
Charley Perks has a First-Class Degree in Dance and a background in Street Dance Styles and Commercial Dance. Charley has been dancing since the age of 14 years old and has travelled to train in New York City, Los Angeles, France, and The Netherlands, she has learnt from the pioneers of Hip Hop and House Dance.
Charley has taught at numerous dance companies and schools across the West Midlands and is currently part of Birdgang Hip Hop theatre company in London.
Charley has performed in front of Micheal Jacksons 'Smooth Criminal' leading dancers at the biggest MJ Convention in Europe and has learnt from and performed in front of Justin Timberlakes and Chris Brown's dancers in LA last year.
Some of her performance experience includes The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant, The Commonwealth Games, Godiva Festival - Apache Indian, DJ Craig Charles, and ZooNation Some Like It Hip Hop.
