Cecil Sharp House

EFDSS’s Lockdown Project

‘Cecil Sharp House, situated near Regents Park on the border between Camden Town and Primrose Hill, is the home of English folk. For 90 years it has been HQ of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, the national folk arts development organisation for England.

The organisation champions the English traditional arts – music, song, dance, storytelling, customs and traditions – as part of the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the UK.’

In what ways has the Covid-19 lockdown influenced your organisation’s priorities and daily functions?

‘Completely! We have had to close our busy arts centre, which is usually open every day. See https://www.efdss.org/support-us for some more details.’

Have you been using art and creativity to improve the mental health and wellbeing of your members? If so, how?

‘We’ve been doing what we can, mainly through lobbying and advocation on social media, and sharing online activities eg https://www.efdss.org/about-us/what-we-do/news/10112-tending-the-flame.’

Text by Peter Craik, Director of Marketing and Communications