Calderdale Non-Profit Gets Curious About Podcasts

Jordan Baker

Written By Community Journalist

Jordan Baker

Elland arts-based non-profit organisation Curious Motion is embarking on a new mission via their brand-new podcast to help increase connectivity and defeat isolation.

Founded in December 2019 by CEO Samantha McCormick, Curious Motion set out its core values of artistry, belonging, compassion, curiosity, and integrity and found that dance and movement-based activities not only help to support the physical well-being of the wider community but also the mental benefits this brings, allowing many to connect with themselves through self-expression and feelings of accomplishment.

Their new podcast, Calder Navigation, will showcase personal stories and experiences shared by those within the Calderdale community.

Each guest will be unique in their own way, bringing something new and intriguing to each week giving listeners an opportunity to connect to others on another level, and potentially find they may have shared experiences, thoughts and feelings, combatting that sense of isolation and misunderstanding some of us may feel.

The podcast’s first episode will officially launch on Thursday 6th July, with each episode being released weekly. There will be 10 episodes of Calder Navigation to divulge yourself into and a further two series’ planned for 2024 and 2025, with 2024 taking on the theme of the Year of Culture to celebrate Calderdale’s 50th anniversary.

Artistic Director and CEO/Founder Sam McCormick quoted: “Curious Motion is delighted to launch Calder Navigation this summer. It’s an important step in deepening a sense of connection across Calderdale, providing a creative platform for local people to share their stories and helping open up conversation around mental health, community, and the complexities of life.

We hope it will be a source of inspiration, curiosity, and pride for our borough, shining a spotlight on the incredible people of this area. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us bring Calder Navigation to life and to the wonderful guests who have been so generous in sharing their experiences.”

Calder Navigation’s first guest speaker will be somatic practitioner, Rosalind Arden, whose expertise lies in working closely with individuals who have confronted challenges such as depression and chronic fatigue. Through various modalities including movement, drawing, and writing for health, she guides her clients on a journey towards rediscovering their inner strength. Rosalind will also touch on her own personal mental health struggles and how this serves as a driving force behind her unwavering commitment to assisting others on their own paths to more positive mental well-being.

Calder Navigation is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Calderdale Council, and Reaching Communities Yorkshire and Humber from the National Lottery Community Fund and has been produced by Leeds-based company UnTold Creative. 

The podcast is part of a wider project Curious Motion deliver, The Welland Activator, their first multi-year project specifically designed to facilitate meaningful connections among the people of Elland, the lower valley, and the wider Calderdale area by actively engaging with the community through creative means and artistic expression.

Welland features various classes, workshops and walks for all ages and the project’s annual showcase of arts and wellbeing in Elland; including new activities to try alongside performance, film and an exhibition created by and with local people is taking place on Saturday 29th July.

The Calder Navigation podcast will be available for free on all major listening platforms.

Calder Navigation Series 1:

  • Episode 1 – 6th July 2023
  • Episode 2 – 13th July 2023
  • Episode 3 – 20th July 2023
  • Episode 4 – 27th July 2023
  • Episode 5 – 3rd August 2023
  • Episode 6 – 10th August 2023
  • Episode 7 – 21st September 2023
  • Episode 8 – 28th September 2023
  • Episode 9 – 5th October 2023
  • Episode 10 – 12th October 2023

If you’d like to learn more about Curious Motion, The Welland Activator or Calder Navigation and how these projects are contributing to our local community you can read more on the Curious Motion website: Curious Motion Website

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