Feedback from parent #KickOffBoys Project

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Hi Chrisie, Dance Action Zone Leeds (Kick Off Boys Project) Just wanted to send you a bit of feedback- I hope you can use it for reports etc. ( I run an arts organisation myself and know how useful it is to have!) This morning, after last nights performance at NSCD,  I overheard Dylan  say, as he woke up and in a bright cheery voice: ‘Good morning world!’  A lovely positive start to the day and for Dylan  a massive turnaround for a boy who used to wake up angry (and quite often screaming) most mornings. Less than a year ago Dylan was seeing a counsellor through CAMHS and being part of Kick Off  Boys has massively helped him. He absolutely loves dancing and being able to use his huge amounts of energy in such a positive way has enabled him to feel so much more comfortable about himself and really helped to build his confidence. When he first started Kick Off Boys he was so thrilled and said it was the the start of his career and that he was in his first ‘company’! I am so very grateful that he has this opportunity as being part of the group is as important to him as the dancing and he loves to tell me stories about all the other boys in the group. He feels a sense of belonging and he thrives from the mix of ages and from being accepted by the older boys. I think it has helped him to feel that it’s ok not to be the same as everyone else. We are travelling to Leeds from Holmfirth twice a week so that Dylan can access The Kick Off Boys Project and the NSCD classes because it is so important for his well -being. It is a real shame that there is nothing closer to us as there must be so many other boys like Dylan who would benefit from these groups (and boys in Dylan’s school still think dancing is just for girls!). I do think it’s really important to get boys dancing before they leave primary education as I think the peer pressure and self-consciousness that comes with the teenage years must prevent so many boys from experiencing dance. Thank you again for offering this opportunity. We re so glad Dylan is involved! Kind Regards Chloe Chloe Williams, The Children’s Art School. Kick Off Boys Project is a partnership with Dance Action Zone Leeds, Phoenix Dance, Northern School and Leeds City College. 

DAZL team up with Anchor Care Homes in Leeds

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DAZL work with the elderly from the Anchor Trust Over the past few months DAZL has been delivering a dance program in partnership with the six Leeds based Anchor Care Homes. This project works with older people who are living with dementia headed up by the DAZL Dance Facilitator Amy Smith and Community Dance & Health Practitioner Stephen Johnson. Assisting these two artists have been the DAZL Dance and Health Officer Apprentice Harvey Pratt and DAZL Dance Leader Kaci Emmonds. The DAZL team have have absolutely loved working with the residents and the wonderful caring and supportive staff from the Anchor Trust. The residents have really responded well to the weekly dance for fun sessions and to date we have engaged around 120 older people throughout the six care home in Leeds. Moving forward DAZL plan to continue this partnership delivering dance and from January we plan on deliver an intergenaerational project with the older people from Anchor and young people from DAZL. This will will also be evaluated by Leeds Beckett University of which it will be published in a academic journal highlighting the impact dance has on dementia and older peoples overall health and wellbeing. Below is a statement from Jo Bailey, Anchor Wellbeing Coordinator  In later life, maintaining movement is key, and a huge part of wellbeing and healthcare.  However,  this is not always easy to achieve.  For people living with Dementia, it is the little things that count, or in the case of DAZL, the fun things. A bunch of enthusiastic, skilled, caring dancers, DAZL are an absolute joy.  The way they interact with the residents, we have found it is almost impossible to resist joining in, whether resident, carer or visitor alike. Having had the pleasure of their company for many visits now I can safely say that the impact they have had on our residents has been both positive and profound.  I returned to one home the day after  DAZL had visited and was greeted with conversations and smiles regarding the previous day’s events. Such recollections are, regrettably, rare so for the DAZL team to have achieved this was praise indeed. I would, without hesitation, recommend the concept and of course DAZL to other care homes or anyone who is living with Dementia or caring for somebody who is. Kind Regards – Jo Bailey, Wellness Coordinator Anchor For more information on the Anchor Trust please visit  https://www.anchor.org.uk/    Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with this wonderful project.

Co-op Beeston members raise a total £3,104.39 for DAZL

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The Co-op has raised £19 million for over 4,000 causes  The Co-op Members have raised an amazing £19 million for over 4,000 causes across the UK. This is a fantastic achievement the members, who have shopped with with the Co-op and chosen to support local causes with their 1% since last November. DAZL was chosen to be one of the three chosen good causes by the Co-op Beeston Store. THANK YOU BEESTON CO-OP MEMBER We wanted to provide dance opportunities which work towards a Christmas community showcase at the Northern School Of Contemporary Dance, Riley Theatre for deprived young people across Leeds.   You helped raise a total £3,104.39 to enable DAZL to make this happen.   About the Project – The project will bring the community from predominantly across LS10 and LS11 together with young people from across the city of Leeds to celebrate the young peoples achievement, building stronger communities and promoting community cohesion. The young people will gain increased self esteem, confidence and greater health and well-being. They will also have improved their physical and mental health by been involved in the project.   Check us out online via the links below! Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) website Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) on Facebook Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) on Twitter About the Charity – DAZL DAZL Aim To improve the mental & physical health of children & young people aged 3 – 19 years, through dance as physical activity in disadvantaged communities of Leeds. We aim to reduce health inequalities, improving the health & well-being of young adults with disabilities up to 25 years, families & the wider community through asset-based community dance & wider dance opportunities.   We do this through a five stage model. Participation – Engaging inactive children & young people through high quality dance as physical activity Community Leadership – Engaging & empowering local people/communities Partnerships – Supporting and delivering the wider health/social care agenda Artistic Development & Progression Support Celebrating Communities & Performance Opportunities. https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/13760 Thank you CO-OP #TheCoopWay       

DAZL Double Win at One Dance UK Awards 2018

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One Dance UK 2018 Awards The first One Dance UK Awards  unlike any other awards focused uniquely on dance and has been developed to recognise the outstanding contributions of people working in the dance sector. This annual event is an opportunity for people in the dance sector to get together, celebrate, acknowledge and reward the people who have made an impact  on the UK’s vibrant dance landscape. There was 23 Award Categories, which span all the vital work that is taking place to shape the dance sector today. DAZL was lucky enough to be nominated and shortlisted for two awards.  DAZL WINS Leeds Dance Partnership Award Each year One Dance UK will present an award in partnership with the host region, recognising an organisation  or individual who has made a significant impact to dance in the local area. This year DAZL and our Director Ian Rodley was recognised by the host city and the Leeds Dance Partnership for the work we deliver across the city.   What an absolutely lovely honor to receive this award, thank you so much and well done to the DAZL Team. Also congratulations and keep doing all your fantastic work to the other two nominees Mobius Dance and Spin Arts. Ian Rodley Director – Dance Action Zone Leeds DAZL WINS PEOPLES CHOICE Award The People’s Choice Award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the dance sector throughout the last 12 months. Entrants for this award were nominated by One Dance UK members and then decided by open public vote. DAZL was extremely lucky to be awarded a second award. The team found this awards really special as this was vote by the public ans as we like to say at DAZL The #DAZLFAMILY. We would also like to congratulate the other two nominees Donald Hutera and Motionhouse – Charge. Thank you to Sharon Watson, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre and Wieke Eringa, CEO and Artistic Director of Yorkshire Dance who presented DAZL with the two awards on behalf of One Dance UK.                

DAZL, ACE & WATCH-It Partnership – Holiday Hunger Program

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DAZL, ACE and Watch-It Holiday Hunger Partnership supported by Leeds Community Foundation   What we did! We provided four activity camps one at Easter where we engaged 34 at the South Leeds Youth Hub in Belle Isle. We also deliver three summer camps across the City we tried to spread the provision across South, East and West Leeds to reach more children and to achieve the greatest impact. The first one in Gipton at Dame Fanny Waterman Centre where we engaged 20 children. The second camp was in Belle Isle at the South Leeds Youth Hub where we engaged 47 children and the final camp was in Swinnow at Swinnow Community Centre where we engaged with 40 children. In total we engaged 141 children of which 121 were free school meal children which is what was aimed to achieve. This was in partnership with ACE who is part of of Health For All Leeds who delivered the multi sports alongside DAZL who was delivering the dance, crafts and healthy eating. We also had watch-it children weigh management service who attend one day each week and also refereed children onto the activity. As an additional we engaged 21 looked after children and 2 children with a disability within the four activity camps which is great and fits with the DAZL ethos or reducing barriers for these groups/ individuals. The Impact We used dance, arts and sport to engage the young people addressing the need for exciting positive activities that children want to engage with. We also engaged 80% free school meal children and 20% look after children or children with a disability. 90% of the children also come from an area of deprivation therefore supporting those harder to reach families/ communities who have the greatest need. We provided activity from 8.30am-3pm Monday to Friday providing a cooked breakfast and dinner for the children along with snack. This really helps parents and gives them the assurance they will be fed, safe and have fun within the camp. Added value The young people have been able to access the DAZL community provision and also Active Clubs Experience Provision, those struggling to maintain a healthy weight also got information on Watch-It.   DAZL Created a film documenting the project with feedback from participants, partners and also staff showing the impact and the difference this camp. Video feedback from young people DAZL has the young people give video feedback and we have posted this via social media. We have obtained permission from parents to use all this in monitoring and evaluation. Madison Emmonds, Age 12 video feedback Aimee Mulvy, Age 13 video feedback Brandan Shaw, Age 10 video feedback Aiden Wood, Age 9 video feedback Add us on Social Media Twitter @DAZL_Leeds   Facbook – LIKE danceactionzoneleeds   Istagram @danceactionzoneleeds

DAZL summer project supported by Morrisons Foundation

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DAZL Healthy HeARTS Summer Program -Support by The Morrisons Foundation. With the support of the Morrisons Foundation over the summer we provided a week long summer project. This program aimed to improved the children’s health and wellbeing part of the “The DAZL Healthy heARTS Project”. The Projected offered fun and accessible high quality dance and healthy eating opportunities. We engaged 40 children from Leeds 10 and surrounding areas, We also provided a healthy Breakfast and lunch courtesy of Morrisons Hunslet. Targeting children and families in deprived areas, who lack access to activities or are at risk of sedentary lifestyles. We have a commitment to supporting local people enabling and encouraging ownership and entrepreneurship, we had 3 local parent volunteers help out and 4 youth dance leaders from the local community. We had a particular focus on looked After Children and those children who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight/ lifestyle.   We worked with the Wayne Sables Project to create a short film/ online resource addressing the themes of the project which is shared via our social media and our YouTube channel.  Please checkout out the impact of the project in the films below.     DAZL Healthy HeARTS Project – Short Film DAZL Healthy HeARTS Project – Change 4 Life Sugar Swap   The DAZL staffing team are all trained Bounce dance fitness instructors and this program has delivered part of the #HealthyHeARTS project supported by Morrisons Foundation.  This is a fun dance fitness program and is accessible to all, For more information visit https://www.bouncedancefit.com/   Thank you so much to the Morrison’s Foundation for their support. For more information on The Morrison’s Foundation visit https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/about-us/ Add us on Social Media Twitter @DAZL_Leeds   Facbook – LIKE danceactionzoneleeds   Istagram @danceactionzoneleeds

DAZL support the LGBT Sport Fringe Festival

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DAZL support the LGBT Sport Fringe Festival Dance Action Zone Leeds supports the LGBT Sport Fringe Festival which is focused on combating homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and sportphobia in the LGBT community. The festival aims to Improve mental and physical health of the LGBT community and their allies supported by Big Lottery, Leeds Community Committee Funding and Leeds Pride. Please see the video below Follows us on social media @DAZL_Leeds Twitter and Facebook DanceActionZoneLeeds Please contact us via email at [email protected] or tel – 07519018675    

DAZL in Leeds City Magazine

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The DAZL Yorkshire Connection project funded by Arts Council is highlighted in Leeds City Magazine. This is accompanied with an interview by DAZL Director Ian Rodley.  Click the Link here www.leedscitymagazine.co.uk/dance-action-zone-leeds/          Grants For The Arts Supported Project.

The Impact of the DAZL Community Dance Programme on Physical Activity and Psycho-Social Health in Young People

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DAZL is working with Leeds Beckett to support a fully funded PhD project and this can be found here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/carnegie-school-of-sport/carnegie-school-of-sport-phd-studentships/ The Closing date: 20th May 2018 #14 The Impact of the DAZL Community Dance Programme on Physical Activity and Psycho-Social Health in Young People Prevalence of psychological health concerns amongst young people is rising, particularly in girls (i.e. low body image, self-worth and psychosomatic symptoms). The long-term consequences include social dysfunction, poor academic performance and even suicide. Dance has emerged as a viable tool to promote physical activity across hard-to-engage populations. Consequently, empirical evidence is required to examine the impact of dance for physical activity and health promotion in young people. This PhD aims to evaluate: 1) a pre-established, community dance programme for young girls from low SES communities; 2) and whether dance can build health resilience and improvements in girls’ psycho-social health.​ If you or anyone that you know requires any information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with DAZL [email protected]

DAZL Runs Marathon & Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Inclusive Group

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DAZL raise funds for Inclusive Dance Group DAZL team will be running the Liverpool Marathon & Walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks to provide FREE provision and pay for our Inclusive Hip-Hop Team for young people with a disability to have dance experiences. The funds will provide the group with costumes, pay the hall hire & support weekly classes Need Their is a lack of activity for young people with a disability to take part in competitive dance, especially in urban dance styles in Leeds. Solution We will provide weekly activities for young people with a disability and ensure they get the experience of a dance competition. The same opportunities will be available to these young people just as they are for the young people who do not have a disability. The program will reduce inequalities, breakdown barriers and provide opportunities and aspirations for those young dancers with a disability. Aim Provide urban dance for young people with a disability from areas of deprivation across Leeds Activities » Provide weekly urban dance sessions with opportunities to perform locally and regionally including dance competitions.   Reporting We will report via social media also blogs via DAZL website and our partners ensuring we gain as much coverage as possible. We will also inform people/ supporters/ donors via our Mailchimp email system and publish the success in our annual review. Budget – Project Cost: £2,490   Amount Heading Description   £320 Competition Entry Frees 2 x competition entry for 10 dancers   £250 costumes 10 hip-hop costumes at £25 per person   £400 Hall Hire Hall Hire 40wk x 2hrs (£10 per session)   £320 Transport Transport to competitions (£160 x 2 journeys)   £800 Weekly Sessions deliver of weekly session £20 x 40wk   £400 Staffing Comp Staffing competition x 2 (£100 per day x 2 staff x 2 competitions) Why Us? With 18 years experience of improving the mental and physical health of children and young people aged 3 – 19 years, particularly girls, through dance as physical activity in disadvantaged communities of Leeds. We also reduce health inequalities, improving the health and wellbeing of children, young adults with disabilities up to 25 years, families and the wider community throughout Yorkshire through asset-based community dance and wider dance opportunities. This is why we are best placed. Donate to project via link below https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/29286/dazl-runs-marathon-and-3-peaks-for-inclusive-group/ Follows us on social media @DAZL_Leeds Twitter and Facebook DanceActionZoneLeeds