Exim exists to provide opportunities for ‘At Risk’ young people to participate in socially engaged dance classes. We are passionate about using dance to help vulnerable young people, breaking down the ideological barriers that surround dance, holding inclusivity at the heart of all of our work. The majority of Exim Dance Company’s community work is delivered in deprived areas of Plymouth or hard to reach communities.
In light on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) the sessions will be currently delivered both through prerecorded and live virtual videos.
Communities Together Dance Project delivered to young people 11-16 years & members of BAME & LGBTQ+ who are marginalised as a result of their disadvantages in life (whether due to social deprivation, disability, mental health issues including depression and self-harm, vulnerability due to care arrangements or otherwise)enabling disadvantaged and disabled young people to participate regularly in dance activities and providing these young people with an accredited qualification at no cost to them through Sports Leaders UK to help them in their future lives. Young people participating will be those that don't usually join in with community projects,suffer from social isolation and irregular exercise. 4x weekly after curriculum sessions will be set up within accessible settings to young people across four deprived areas Stoke, Ernesettle, North Prospect and Keyham Plymouth. The inclusive safe spaces created will aid development through dance technique, creative practice and performance, the sessions will provide the young people a chance to improve their health, lifestyle and to get involved in community events. It’s hoped the work will also reduce levels of anti-social behaviour and increase levels of confidence and community engagement among young people in the areas and bring more people together to build strong relationships in and across communities to help aid community cohesion.
Feedback from beneficiaries:
*Exim has got me meeting new people. I feel more confident, it is the only place I can express
myself freely. It is an escape!
*The atmosphere is good because everyone was having fun and I felt really comfortable and safe
*Dancing with Exim is where we feel happy and free.
* If this didn’t happen we would be unmotivated
*I have enjoyed to be able to work with new people, I am a little shy and to Exim so I want to build confidence.
* I suffer with anxiety and these sessions have eased this and built my confidence
Over the last 6 months of Communities Together we have recorded the following:
* 80 young people have engaged in the weekly Communities Together dance session across all four areas (listed above)
*85% of people have built confidence through Communities Together
* 74.6% have built relationships outside of dance increasing cohesion
* 80% of people feel aspirations have been increased through the work of Exim Dance Company in the community.
* 85.3% noted improved physical health through Communities Together
* 86.1% noted improved emotional wellbeing through the sessions.
* All four areas including the new Keyham strand have done end of term performances to family, friends and the local community
* Ernesettle strand have performed at the University of Plymouth in front of an audience of 250 people.
* A number of young people (5) have become dance leaders/ambassadors taking more a leading role with the sessions.