Training, advisory work and mentoring work

TRAINING, ADVICE AND MENTOR SUPPORT

Inclusive Practice is Good Practice

SiD were delighted and honoured to be included in ‘Inclusive Practice is Good Practice’, a resource film launched in March 2020. The film offers advice from 42 of the UK’s most experienced inclusive dance practitioners: including freelancers & representation from 26 inclusive dance companies from around the UK.

Company trainees

Delphine Wise and Beth Gardiner joined us as company trainees. The dancers persued bespoke, individual trainee pathways. Beth shadowed the work of lead dance artist Anna Belyavin, supporting Highflyers Youth Dance Company. Beth Gardiner moved to Shropshire 18 months ago and has been supporting our Highflyers, Beth is a wonderful role model, having previously danced with National Youth Dance.

Introducing Beth & Delphine

“My name is Beth Gardiner and I am 26 years old. Since I was five, I have loved to dance, going from strength to strength. I have been passionate about dance ever since. I take inspiration from musical theatre and am living my childhood dream. In the past I have worked in different companies Dance4, Hubbub theatre company, StopGap, National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) for 3 years, touring and performing around the country. I now work with HighFlyers dance company, teaching warmups and technique, with support. I want to inspire everyone to follow their dreams.” Her advice to any youth dancer is ‘don’t let anything get you down, push yourself and discipline yourself. You will get there just like I did.Keep going and shine so bright! Delphine represented Contact Dance as advocate/ representative, attended DanceConnect Beyond Borders Steering Group (Dancexchange Birmingham & Arts Connect), offered support and guidance to participants if required and received one to one mentoring supervision and shadowed practical delivery. Delphine and Beth will continue studying and working with us, SiD have been privileged to have them join us, bringing experience, professionalism and commitment.

West Midlands Dance Development Leaders Group

Rachel & Delphine joined the West Midlands Dance Development Leaders Group. The steering group received news that £1 million had been awarded to Birmingham 2022 by Spirit of 2012 to deliver ground-breaking mass participation dance programme with 300 young people from the West Midlands. This year SiD will be involved in a ‘test run’ of the 2022 project alongside many small and large-scale companies across the region. The mass participation project, entitled Critical Mass, will form a new dance company of disabled and non-disabled young people to show how genuine inclusion can be achieved in mega events such as the Commonwealth Games. SiD cannot wait to be part of this in 2022!