Para Dance Monthly Newsletter

Parallel Windsor 2024  

Parallel Windsor is a Festival of Inclusivity with Challenge Events for all ages, health conditions and abilities. It is held in the grounds of the majestic Windsor Great Park and staged on the iconic Long Walk. We are proud to be supporting the event with some inclusive dance sessions throughout the day and also The Greatest Dancer challenge.

Sunday 7 July, 9am - 5pm

The Crown Estate Windsor Great Park SL4 2HT

As part of the Parallel Windsor event, we have put together a routine to encourage as many people as possible to get dancing. If you are not going to the event, that’s fine - you can still get involved. Why not click on the video below and get dancing! The routine can be done seated or standing you can do it your way. The sessions maybe useful for instructors, individuals, organisations and dance groups.

Inclusive Dance Training (IDT)

Our Inclusive Dance Training (IDT) is a course for those wishing to run or be involved with inclusive dance sessions. Several courses are run throughout the year, starting in March and September with breaks for the school holidays.

The IDT is a blended-learning course delivered online through eight live group sessions with a trainer, and also via our E-Learning platform. Each session will cover a module containing not only theory but also practice on topics such as instruction techniques, choreography, and how to set up and run a group. 

There will be regular assessments with formative feedback provided. The final assessments are completed in the last two weeks of the course and comprise written and self-recorded video submissions. 

The IDT is designed for anyone wanting to run or be involved with inclusive dance sessions. It's suitable for a wide range of people involved with dance and disabled people, e.g. dance teachers wanting to open their services to all abilities, sports groups and those involved with them, and people with a focus on disability and the care environment.

Review from the IDT

"The IDT Course is fantastic, the trainer is brilliant, and the material is well organised and clear. The structure of the course means that you can learn in-depth information both through coursework but also through practical group work and discussions.

"The assessments are great to get the mind thinking and ensure that you understand the theory and the practical elements of the course. The modules on the online learning platform are well-produced and very informative.

"I am so happy to be doing this course and feel prepared to take the next steps as an inclusive dance practitioner."

Weekly Classes

Para Dance UK aims to develop and promote dance in a fun and safe environment as an inclusive leisure activity for those who would otherwise be excluded.

Due to popular demand, we will be continuing our adult dance clubs during the summer period with the last session on Wednesday 7 August. This will be the perfect way to keep you physically active and have fun in a social and safe environment. Both our adult classes are open to all ages and abilities and are suitable for both individuals and organisations such as care homes and day care centres and because they are online this means you can access them anywhere! We will then take a short break and return the week commencing 2 September when all dance clubs will recommence including our after-school clubs for primary and secondary/young adults.

We have four online weekly dance classes available:

• Adult Dance Club - Mondays, 10am - 10:30am - On until 7 of August. 
• Through the Decades Dance Club - Wednesdays, 11am - 11:30am - On until 7 of August. 
  Take a trip down memory lane and explore dancing through the years! These sessions are suitable for care homes, day centres and older adults.

The following classes will start again on 2 September : 

• Primary After School Dance Club - Wednesdays, 4:15pm - 4:45pm 

A wonderful opportunity for primary school-aged children to be expressive with fun actions, exploring many genres of dance. As well as weekly classes, we'll be working towards an exciting Summer Showcase at the end of term.

• Youth Dance Club - Wednesdays, 5pm - 5:30pm 
  Entertaining and energetic sessions, perfect for secondary school aged children and young adults.

Review from Weekly Dance Club

"Many people look forward to Saturdays, but for me and my son Matty, our special day is Monday. It's Para Dance day! Party time!

"We're all friends online, even though we've only met via zoom.

"Selina's routines are brilliant and she makes the whole session fun! I've noticed Matt's ability to copy Selina's moves and to move his body in time to the music has developed remarkably over these past few years. And his level of concentration has greatly increased.

"When we first started, he would last about 5 minutes. Now he's engaged and dancing through out the entire session. And he's so confident and proud of himself, which is a joy to see!"

"Best of all, it's something that Matty and I can do together. Thank you, Selina. And roll on Monday!"

Membership from just £60

Upon successful completion of the Inclusive Dance Training course, you will receive six-months of Affiliate Membership for free. After that, the fees will be £100 per year (discounted to £60 if your annual income is below £20,000).

Your membership with Para Dance UK and Communities 1st comes with support to develop your professional practice, and guidance to set up groups and run sessions within your community under Para Dance UK's ethos and ethics.

For further information on membership benefits including legal and liability cover please click the button below.

The benefits of full membership include free and discounted:

• Access to Para Dance UK activity sessions
• Access to essential guidelines, databases and publications
• Advertising of your volunteering vacancies
• Advocacy and representation
• Exclusive eNewsletter with updates on funding and events
• Funding advice, support and workshops
• Help with volunteer recruitment and retention
• Inclusion in the local directory of groups
• Priority invites to networking events and targeted projects
• Promotion of your activities and events
• Stronger Together Networks
• Training, workshops and events
• 1:1 help and guidance with managing your organisation
• Also, priority access and reduced rates on:
  • DBS Checking Service
  • Bookkeeping
  • ID badges
  • Web-design
  • Room and hall hire
  • Handyperson service
  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicle hire.

Interested?

To make an enquiry, please call 01727 649960 or email  paradance@communities1st.org.uk.

We all know the positive benefits of dance and its really good to know that we are not the only ones who think this:

"Executive Summary" - Shirley Ballas joins Alliance to celebrate Social Value of Movement and Dance in Parliament. Click the link below

Get in Touch

Thank you for reading this newsletter. If you'd like to speak to us please call 01727 649960 or email paradance@communities1st.org.uk.

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Main Office: 1st Floor Ver House, Park Estate, Frogmore, St Albans, AL2 2WH.

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