Key Approaches
DAZL works within youth culture, starting with what young people enjoy which has manifested into dance styles like Street Dance, Cheerdance and Break dance.
Targeting children and young people who lack access to positive activities, or who are at risk of sedentary lifestyles through principles of community development, DAZL has created many youth dance groups, after school programmes and intensive projects.
Local need is at the heart of DAZL’s work and is how the organisation came to be. DAZL’s programmes attract large numbers of children and young people (over 12,000 since the project began) of all shapes and sizes. A key aspect of this development work lies in a commitment to training local people to deliver dance programmes in their own communities, enabling and encouraging ownership and entrepreneurship.
Parental involvement is a crucial feature of DAZL’s work e.g., through celebration events such as dance showcases which are truly a family affair with tickets selling out very quickly.
In 2011 DAZL held its 10year showcase at Leeds Town Hall where 1200 family and friends came to see approximately 400 performers. Parents are actively involved in running events and helping to raise funds e.g., participating in sponsored walks and bag packing events, as well as staffing DAZL's showcase events.
With an emphasis on long term, mass participation with multiple entry and exit points DAZL offers dance activity that fits into young people’s lives, culturally, geographically and structurally. DAZL works in partnership with NHS Leeds to contribute to the development of a robust evidence base to demonstrate the health benefits of childhood community dance and health.
Summary of Key Features
• Meeting young people where they are at; culturally, geographically & structurally
• Portfolio of interventions with multiple entry/exit points for long term, mass participation
• Community development - starting where people are at, and building on what they have
• Building confidence and social skills
• Goal setting & family involvement
• Contributing to national evidence base
• Locally and nationally relevant
