Projects / Funding
HMYOI Wetherby (Youth Offending Work)
In April 2008 DAZL started a project to improve the health and wellbeing of the young men in HMYOI Wetherby through a programme of fun and accessible urban dance activity including; Hip Hop, Breakdance, Krumping, Locking and Popping, and Streetdance. Aims: To increase physical activity levels and wellbeing through accessible dance for all young men at HMYOI Wetherby. Achievements: Participants trained hard to complete accredited and non accredited dance programmes before performing for friends and family at the YOI’s “Family Day” which was a massive achievement and the first time that audience members had seen them do anything like this. Through a combination of taster sessions and accredited courses we engaged approximately 250 young men in a variety of dance workshops that attracted those who were not accessing the gym, boosting confidence and social skills, focusing on developing new skills and feeling positive about the learning experience. The workshops were delivered by a team of esteemed dance artists who work nationally and internationally. “I just wanted to share with you a public health session I had the privilege of watching at the YOI. I watched 15 boys dance and sprint their hearts out. They were taught by a very competent teacher, concentrated for more than an hour, worked together, helped each other out, used every muscle in their bodies, worked individually and in a group and in the end developed their own routines to show off to each other.” Claire Shepherd, NHS Leeds
VINE Cheer Dance Project (Dance & Disabilities Work)
VINE Cheer Dance Project VINE Cheer Dance Project starting in January 2011, developed by Ian Rodley and Aileen Horsfield, Angela Rea of VINE. The aim of this programme is to deliver Cheer Dance to young people between 14 and 24 years with severe learning disabilities and high support needs. The project works with young people from both VINE (based at West Leeds Family Learning Centre) and young people from local Special Inclusive Learning Centers. The Programme aims to increase confidence/ self-esteem and improve concentration/ communication levels through dance within all participants. We have had some fantastic success stories with learners overcoming shyness, improved concentration and movement memory. There interaction with learners from other venues has been outstanding – In May 2011 these achievements were celebrated at the Carriage works Theatre as part of the VINE celebration event.
YOS Urban Dance Project (NEET Work)
Following the successful urban music and dance programmes running at the Wetherby Young Offenders Institute (YOI) there has been a growing demand by young people to access a programme on resettlement. NHS Leeds, DAZL and the Leeds Youth Offending Service are co-delivering this joint programme for At Risk Young People aged 14 – 18 years. Aimed at young offenders and those at risk of offending or on DTO or ISSP. This is a city wide project but accessible by young people from surrounding West Yorkshire region. The young people participate in regular weekly urban dance sessions e.g. break-dance, Hip Hop, crunking and street dance with internationally renound artist. The projects has been developed between DAZL and Karen Knott’s from KLIK Community Arts. The explore issues which embeds healthy lifestyles and emotional well being within the programme.
Looked After Children Project
We are currently delivering a project in four homes for Looked After Children including Eastmoor Secure Unit. The participants can access dance in their own environment and are signposted to other DAZL activities locally. Delivered by a very experienced dance teacher we also opened up a shadowing opportunity for a recent graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. This programme is now in its second phase, targeting looked after children city wide, bringing them together at various city centre dance venues to participate in dance activities.
South School Cheer Programme (Primary School work)
Working in partnership with the South Partnership Development Manager (PDM) we have delivered in excess of 500 sessions in all of the primary, secondary and Special Inclusive Learning Centres (SILC's) in south Leeds. A teachers resource pack was developed for the project and given to each school. In all we worked with over 3000 pupils and held 50 performance events. Many of the participants now regularly access other DAZL activity.
Research Programme
In partnership with NHS Leeds and University of Leeds we are currently working on a feasibility study looking at proving the benefits of community dance on the health of children. The project is based in West Leeds and participants performed in front of family and friends at DAZL's last Showcase at Cockburn High School.
DAZL Showcases
Showcases are a key part of DAZL's strategy as the provide a goal to work towards and bring communities together to celebrate the success of their children. Showcases are held at least twice per year, usually at Easter and Christmas time and involve up to 400 performers and our largest show at Leeds Town Hall was fully booked with 1200 audience members. In addition to this there are regular performance opportunities throughout the year in local galas and festivals, and other community venues as appropriate.
Healthy Living Galas
Healthy Living Galas are run in partnership with NHS Leeds, Active Club Experience (ACE), Leeds United Football Club, and The Works Skatepark. They are a chance for families to access information and Change 4 Life resources as well as a way to find out about physical activity classes in the city. There are fun interactive activities and performances by DAZL groups and a healthy lunch for everyone.
Youth Dance Leaders Course
The Youth Dance Leaders course is a Level 3 accredited course (Through Open College Network) award which is designed for young emerging artists (aged 17 - 25) with an interest in community dance and choreography. They will gain the necessary skills/ techniques to operate as a freelance artists. So far DAZL has trained over 40 new artists, were currently raising funds to deliver this course again in 2012.
Junior Dance Leaders/ Sports Leaders Award
We offer the Dance & Sport Leaders Qualification for young people aged 13 -16 years at Level 1 & 2, this is normally attached to a specific targeted project such as non school attendees. DAZL can provide this service in a range of setting and the process takes around 3 months to complete.
The Dance Makeover (Dance & Health Work)
In 2008 and 2009 we successfully delivered a weight management programme in partnership with Watch It, an NHS weight management service. After an intensive three week summer programme, participants took regular weekly dance sessions as well as a range of activities to celebrate a positive self image including pampering sessions, nutrition and cooking classes. Simultaneous gym sessions were also provided for families. Participants demonstrated increased confidence and performed alongside other DAZL groups at the Christmas 2009 showcase.
Regular Classes
Active 4 Life
This project aims to increase involvement of inactive children by offering a range of fun activities delivered with an inclusive ethos, to inspire an enthusiasm for being active throughout life. DAZL is one of four delivery partners on this project including; Leeds United, Active Club Experience and The Works Skatepark. Emphasis is placed on raising awareness and educating families on issues such as active daily lifestyles, limiting screen time and promoting 5 a Day as well as being a partner on the Change 4 Life campaign.
Primary Target Group: Inactive children aged 5–11 years from Super Output Areas with IMD’s in the lowest 10% in East and South Leeds.
Achievements: DAZL significantly exceeded all targets as the programme rolled out this year, delivering activity within school lesson time for 6-12 weeks followed by 24 regular after school dance clubs across south and east Leeds that ran for the rest of the year. By request we also started a mums Cheerdance group and a boys Cheerleading squad. Throughout the year a large number of participants have engaged with DAZL’s other activity as a direct result of being involved in this programme. There were more than 20 performance opportunities at schools and community festival events and Healthy Living galas, and 20 holiday programmes through the year.
DAZL Diamonds Excellance Programme
The DAZL Diamonds Cheerdance & Hip-Hop & Jazz Squad is our main progression route for children and young people who want to undertake a more intensive and committed dance programme.
Aims: To engage children, young people and their families in positive and healthy dance activity in their communities.
Achievements: The squad includes 14 teams comprised of 170+ participants mainly aged from 3-19years. In 2009 we successfully established a new mums group who have now become a performing / competitive team. We have also developed the only UK All male cheer dance, and the only UK boys team which has expanded rapidly. The squad fundraise for all of the activity themselves and have raise over £15000 a year through sponsored walks, bag packing and dance benefit performances. Since 2007 the squad have won 1st place at the British Cheerleading Association’s International Cheerleading Championships and Northern Classics & North East Championships every year. The Boys team are also receiving massive press interest and in October 2010 after working with Quarks Films for a year, the boys were the stars of the BBC2 documentary wonderland “Boy Cheerleaders”, which had over 2 million viewers (For more information on DAZL Diamonds and the DAZL Boys click on the DAZL Diamonds Page).
Outer South Dance Programme
DAZL runs a long standing community dance programme in outer south Leeds with something for everyone. The year round programme includes weekly classes, holiday programmes and performance opportunities at local galas and festivals, as well as at DAZL Showcases. We work closely with Youth Services and Extended Services & Aire Valley Holmes to engage local young people in activity.
Aims: To provide positive and healthy activities in deprived areas of outer south Leeds, spanning all four electoral wards.
Achievements: We have successfully retained participants this year with many also participating in other DAZL activities. The groups have a presence at local events and are developing their skills all the time. One example is a young man is now particularly committed, coming to any DAZL event that he can help at or dance at. He now intends to take DAZL’s Youth Dance.
Dance Action & Dollymixtures Youth Dance
In addition to other DAZL activity in inner city areas, Dance Action is a long standing group that meets weekly at Old Cockburn Sport Hall in Beeston. Over a number of years the group has built a loyal following of participants and families.
Aims: To improve health and wellbeing for children and young people in Beeston.
Achievements: We work with over 60 children and young people in this group , and they perform in local events and DAZL showcases every year. Dance Action started by offering streetdance sessions, but having built confidence and experience they had the desire to try other kinds of dance e.g., contemporary. The classes are run by a highly experienced local tutor who is assisted by an ex DAZL Youth Dance Leader.
Holiday& Half Term Programmes
DAZL delivers holiday programmes in partnership with a range of other organisations across the city. Many of these projects also lead to performances at local galas and festivals.
