Freedom 2 Dance in Castleford is boosting dance opportunities for young people during the second year of its scholarship, despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic. The dance school is almost halfway into a second year of hosting a unique scholarship in partnership with Morley Glass & Glazing.
Last year the scholarship invested in seven young people who had dance lessons funded for a 12-month period. Throughout the course children not only progressed and perfected their dance steps and techniques but they also developed greater confidence. The programme has most certainly made an impact and raised aspirations among the dancers which has supported our aim to encourage children to aspire to work hard and achieve more!
Now in its second year, the scholarship funds 10 pupils, seven who study Ballroom & Latin, one gifted and talented youngster studying Hip Hop and one in Cheer and one ‘try something new award’. Just three months into the 2020 programme, the studio was forced to close due to the global pandemic, but this didn’t halt any progress with classes continuing online.
More than ever the programme has proved invaluable beyond simply ‘learning to dance’. During these unprecedented times it has been able to keep children connected socially and emotionally in a time that has been uncertain for everyone. It has offered, on some level, a little normality to children providing a few hours a week to escape as well as maintaining good physical well-being.
Speaking about the programme Freedom 2 Dance Director Laura Jaggar said: “Maintaining the programme throughout the pandemic was always going to prove a challenge. The help of technology, and the willingness from our teachers, pupils and their parents to adapt has enabled us to thrive rather than just survive this period. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support from Morley Glass & Glazing and we hope that we continue to make a difference with their investment in our community”.
