The Big Give 2024: supporting vulnerable women through dance
Emily James-Farley, our Creative Communities Manager, explains how with your support for our The Big Give campaign, we’ll be bringing vulnerable women together with specialist dance teachers to create classes that will support their wellbeing and recovery.
“At the heart of our work at South East Dance is the belief that dance can be a tool for positive change.
“There is overwhelming evidence that taking part in dance has many benefits - thanks to the crossover between creativity and physical movement. Dance is social, promotes self-expression, improves wellbeing, self-esteem, and physical health.
“We’ve seen for ourselves how dance can have a positive impact on self-confidence and self-esteem, through our work with community partners such as Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project, MASCOT and Puffin Nursery.
“Now, we want to extend that work in our local community to support women in Brighton & Hove facing the multiple challenges associated with homelessness and domestic abuse. With your support for our The Big Give campaign during 19-26 March, we will bring movement, joy and togetherness to local women so they can recover and reconnect with life.
“And because we’re fundraising with The Big Give, every penny you donate will be matched by them. So, for every £1 you give, The Big Give will also donate £1, doubling the impact of your support.
“We’ll use that money to work with Justlife and RISE - two charities supporting local women affected by homelessness and domestic abuse – to offer free, bespoke dance and creative movement sessions to support their recovery.
“We will co-curate the programme with the women, holding a series of ‘conversations’ to find out what makes them tick and what kind of movement and dance they might enjoy. We’ll introduce them to a range of dance styles, taking inspiration from their cultures and life experiences. To encourage everyone to connect with each other, we’ll build in plenty of time for reflection and socialising too.
“Our aim is to make a lasting difference to their lives. By creating a safe space where the women can empower themselves through movement and form a supportive community, we believe there will be physical and mental health benefits that extend well beyond the walls of the dance studio. Thanks so much for your support – it means the world.”
Donate to our The Big Give campaign here.
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