WATCH: The lives of thousands of New Zealanders are uplifted through creativity, with leading dance and arts therapists making a difference to those who need this specalised support the most.
This video is made with the support of NZ on Air Public Interest Journalism Fund.
The power of the arts is undeniable. It can change your mood, challenge your outlook, give you confidence, make you feel human.
For some people - the simple act of creativity can change their lives.
That's never more true than with the New Zealanders, young and old, that find themselves in a world where they don't feel so easily accepted. For many, Dance and Art therapy is their connection to a community they can be easily isolated from.
Dance and Art Therapy New Zealand (DTNZ) supports over 3,000 individuals annually, delivering 6,000 therapy sessions a year to those in Aotearoa who need it most. They've been making a difference for over a decade and it's palpable how it impacts the families involved.
It's one thing to read about it - it's another thing to experience. DTNZ invited The Big Idea into a session to illustrate these are more than just smiles on faces. They're signs of hope, fulfilment and confidence.
Watch for yourself and see the difference.