Plan tackles community dance class shortage

An appeal has been launched in a bid help children in Leigh learn to dance.
Amy Burden with members of Leigh Community DanceAmy Burden with members of Leigh Community Dance
Amy Burden with members of Leigh Community Dance

Leigh Community Dance is looking for a home all of its own where it can teach young people to dance without the expense of private tuition.

Director Amy Burden is trying to raise £1,500 to help kit out the new home of community group with new flooring and mirrors so they can make the most of the venue.

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She said: “At the moment we rent a room in a community centre, but that means we are restricted to only holding classes a few times a week.

“If we had somewhere of our own we could hold more classes and well as workshops and performances. We have found a potential venue and are in talks, but thought we would launch the crowd-funding page so we can pay for mirrors and flooring.

“There is nothing really like this in Leigh at the moment, and there is no where that can be used for performances except the church hall. With a new venue we could hold more classes and workshops as well as performances.”

Amy said Leigh children have had little opportunity to experience dance. She added: “The young people of Leigh have long been getting a raw deal. Compared to the opportunities on offer to children in central Wigan and in other areas of Greater Manchester, Leigh has very little to compare. Besides private dance school tuition that can be fantastic but very expensive, the children of Leigh have been missing out on a wealth of opportunities in youth dance and community dance.

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“We want to create a venue where young people and even adults can take part in high quality dance classes, performance opportunities and even watch professional dance companies without having to pay unaffordable fees or travel to Manchester or Liverpool.

“Dance has the power to improve confidence, develop life skills and above all is fun and engaging. By providing young people in Leigh with these opportunities regardless of where they live or their ability to pay, we will be improving their chances of becoming successful adults.”

The Youth Company has performed live at St James’s Park as part of Join the Momentum and Magic Weekend and represented the borough at the Greater Manchester Youth Dance Festival, Signatures at the Lowry Theatre. In August they are at Wembley to perform at the Challenge Cup Final.

n To find out more, or to donate, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/leigh-community-dance.