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What is SideKick Dance?

SideKick Dance began as a youth dance group for young people with disabilities, and soon expanded with an adult company too, and is now proud to be an affiliate company of Curve Theatre. The groups are ran by experienced dance practitioners, and are supported by a team of wonderful volunteers and a strong committee who believe passionately in the benefits of dance for all. Curve Theatre and Ellesmere College are key supporters of SideKick Dance and provide the groups with a warm and welcoming environment for the dance classes and rehearsals to take place.

MEET THE TEAM

SideKick Dance is open to participants with disabilities from all over Leicester and Leicestershire. There is a small fee of £30 per half term for youth participants and £6 per session for adults. Dance classes run every Wednesday at Curve Theatre and the dancers have the opportunity to perform at many dance events as well as in their weekly classes at Curve.

SideKick also offers packages within schools. More information can be found on our classes page.

OUR MISSION
  • Sidekick provides high quality, truly inclusive dance opportunities to participants of all ages and abilities.
  • Sidekick is much more than a dance group. We provide a place for people to belong, feel safe, have fun, express themselves and make friends.
  • Sidekick believes in the power of dance to bring people together and achieve amazing things!
CAN YOU HELP?

SideKick Dance does need funding to continue to provide dance opportunities for people with disabilities. If you could donate just as little as £5 it would help to make a huge difference to those that benefit so much from being part of Sidekick.

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DONATE

Sidekick Youth Dance worked with Visual Designer and technician David Hughes to make their own film about what SideKick dance means to them and to share information about people can donate.

Thank you to all of our supporters. Without you it wouldn’t be possible.

  • Curve Theatre
  • Ellesmere College
  • Children in Need
  • Leicester College
  • Awards for All (Big Lottery Fund)
  • Bradgate Rotary
  • PGA Warden
  • NEXT
  • Marshall Motor Group Ltd
  • The Inspire 2 network
  • FTM Dance
  • Norlec Electrical
  • George Ernest Ellis
  • James Wilson
  • MB Sign Design
  • MPB Electrical Services
  • St Wilfred’s Church Group
  • Waitrose Blaby
  • Tim & Charlotte Ellis
  • Natural Element
  • The special school head teachers
  • All of our volunteers
SideKick Dance gives people with disabilities an opportunity to experience dancing to a level they might never have considered possible. Apart from the obvious benefits of regular exercise,  the social interaction is really positive. The group takes great pride in their public performances and those events are wonderful for the dancer’s self esteem.

SideKick Dance has improved my child’s co-ordination and balance which is evident in her dancing. She has learned a new skill, choreography, which has boosted her confidence. The dance classes give my child the opportunity to meet and make friends, and so are very important to her social inclusion. Overall, SideKick dance is good for my child’s physical and mental wellbeing.

It makes my daughter feel she belongs and she smiles,my daughter has ptsd and she never talks about anything ,but the time at sidekick she feels free and it lovely to see .Charlotte and kirsty are very good ,they  understand the people and there limits and they no when to put extra support in   and when to give them space and ,I wish more people were like them ,they deserve a medal, my daughters nearly 43 and I no when some ones good at what they do .thank you both for the amazing  work you do xxxx

My son feels included and feels like he is a valued member of the group which, unfortunately, he would not achieve in a mainstream setting.

My son has autism and Sidekick enables him to express himself in a non-verbal way.

Sidekick has helped my son strengthen his fine and gross motor skills (without him knowing that it’s happening) as well as increasing his fitness and core stability.

I can’t believe how much my son has come on physically since starting with Sidekick Dance. He always said that he couldn’t dance but he can now follow choreography and actually helps other members of the group dance too. He has so much more confidence and, for the first time in his life, is really enjoying using his body.

Dancing as part of sidekick dance has really improved my physical stamina and being part of a group has helped my mental wellbeing by giving me more confidence.

M loves to come to Sidekick everyweek. It is very good for her wellbeing . Helps her to keep fit & she also enjoys the social aspect of the group .Enjoys the music & routines she is involved in on a weekly basis. The coaches are fantastic at keeping them moving & motivated. Sidekick is a group M is proud to be part of .

Tracey (support worker)

I just wanted to say how much dance has meant to my daughter. It has helped her so much socially and has had such a positive impact on so many aspects of her health and confidence. We’re incredibly grateful for the care, patience, and encouragement you give her — it truly makes a difference.

Sidekick has been beneficial to my sister’s health mentally and physically, weekly sessions give her the confidence and stability in building and maintaining friendships where all different abilities can meet and be equal. It’s a delight to see them all do what they love. Physically my sister struggles with things like balance and movement at times things can be challenging for her but sidekick have helped her build on her weaknesses her confidence has grown from someone who would be anxious and scared to be in-front of a room of people to being able to stand and dance out on stage in-front of a theatre audience. It’s incredible!!!

Sidekick has very nice teachers who are very helpful and caring. It’s a good way to get out of the house and a good place to make new friends. If you enjoy dancing and performing and putting on shows, Sidekick is the place for you!

Sidekick is just the most inspiring, joyous, funny class! It always seems to be full of laughter and enthusiasm. Charlotte and Kirsty get the absolute best out of all the dancers – they believe in their talents and skills and the dancers live up to their beliefs. Whenever I watch a class, it always seems to be full of close friends having The Best Time and expressing themselves through dance.

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