Good Idea: Intensive dance lessons for young people at risk of social exclusion

Good Idea: Intensive dance lessons for young people at risk of social exclusion

Provider Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Youth Offending Team and Dance United
Name Wessex Dance Academy
Summary A programme for vulnerable young ?people in Hampshire is offering contemporary dance tuition to help young people reach a professional level within 12 weeks and perform in public

“I love taking part in the academy. It’s been a lot of fun and each time I go, I just want to learn more and more,” says 16-year-old Nathan.

The teenager, who has been in care since he was young, is speaking of the Wessex Dance Academy, which launched in January following a pilot scheme.

The project, run by Hampshire County Council and Hampshire’s youth offending team, aims to turn around the lives of young people at risk of social ?exclusion and offending, with the help of company Dance United. It also aims to build their confidence and provide disciplined structure.

Those taking part in the 12-week intensive lessons come from a range of backgrounds, but many have been in care, excluded from mainstream education or are at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity.

As well as the daily dance classes, the academy ?encourages young people to look at healthy lifestyle options, with tips on a healthy diet, keeping fit and making positive life choices.

Nathan’s speciality is street dance and he says ?taking part has inspired him to consider a career in dance. He is half-way through a two-year dance course and hopes to be a dance teacher one day.

Jodie, another 16-year-old involved in the programme, has ambitions to be a professional dancer. Before joining the academy, she was in and out of trouble with the police. “The academy has made me want to move on and do more positive things with my life. I am hoping I can sort myself out,” she says.

Lucy Nicholson from Dance United says: “Young people, many of whom have been considered hard-to-reach, have responded well to learning through dance.”