More Ipswich children can access the joy of dance through free dance classes
Photo Credit: Rachel Cherry
DanceEast, the charity that is the home of dance in the East of England, has announced an extension to its Bursary Fund for the Spring and Summer terms 2024.
Thanks to donations by the Suffolk Community Foundation’s RJB Grantmaking Fund, and Suffolk Community Foundation’s Maurken Fund, 19 free dance class places will remain available for our Spring and Summer terms. These are for children and young people interested in the following classes at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Ipswich Waterfront: Dance for Tots (1-4 years), Creative Dance (4-7 years and 8-11 years), Breakdance (9-16 years), Youth Contemporary (11-16 years) and Springboard Youth (8-15 years with additional needs).
Photo Credit: Rachel Cherry
Bryony Hope, Head of Communications and Development, said:
“DanceEast is celebrating its 40th Anniversary by sharing the joy of dance. So, it has been a great thrill to be able to offer free places on our Ipswich classes programme this Autumn term. We believe that dance is for everyone, and the first step is being able to access great dance classes.
Extra-curricular dance activity has many benefits for children and young people – in helping them to build confidence, form connections with others, and feel happier and healthier.
The creation of open access Bursary Fund places meets an important need. Prior to this, Dance East’s offer focused on providing free school holiday activity and classes for young people who had been referred by a teacher. While this is a brilliant route into dance, there were still lots of children and young people in Ipswich who couldn’t access classes, due to the lack of a referral.
Now it’s possible for parents/carers to book their child’s free place termly via the DanceEast website. Places are given on a first-come-first-served basis, in line with the regular booking process, when they meet such simple criteria as either being in receipt of Universal Credit or free school meals.
Photo Credit: Rachel Cherry
Ryan Chivers, Community Safety Manager for Ipswich Borough Council, on having funded the open access places this Autumn, said:
“The funding not only contributed towards enabling young people to participate where they may not have been able to otherwise but has also allowed DanceEast to establish connections with other organisations and youth work teams. This collaborative effort has been invaluable in ensuring that this opportunity reaches the young people in Ipswich who stand to benefit the most.”
Bookings can be made at Dance East
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