Imagine being a transgender person and constantly being harassed and made to feel uncomfortable in a gym. Next thing you know you've got no form of easily accessible exercise & now your depressed, lonely and lacking self confidence. Then things get worse as your mocked by work colleagues, feeling isolated and then you think the only way out is suicide.
Now imagine being a transgender person and being a judgement free space that you can't wait to get to because all your friends are there & you get to hang upside down learning aerial circus. Your happy, feel strong mentally, feel part of a family & getting fit without even realising it. Plus if you need to talk to someone you now have a network of friends and professional counselling.
Well that's our vision for our CrossFly classes. We will be hiring a space twice a week for 2 hours in Nottingham to run the classes. Eventually we'd like our own building but were a few years away from that.
We also want to make a kick ass video
What we'll deliver:
- 2 CrossFly Classes a Week in Nottingham
- A piece of aerial theatre to show the public the issues being faced by the community
- Provide free counselling to all our members
- 2 monthly showcases in order to allow our members to perform
Why it's a great idea:
84% of transgender individuals have thought about suicide
3 in 5 have experienced physical or mental abuse
A large proportion have suffered from mental health issues such as depression & anxiety
Loneliness is common in the transgender community
We aim to make our classes welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community and make an emphasis on welcoming the transgender community as we feel they sometimes get left behind.
Our community will benefit from
1) A safe judgement free space & alternative to the gym
2) A sense of belonging and a family who they can turn to
3) Free confidential counselling to help them deal with mental health issues
4) The chance to learn aerial circus from a 4 time champion & professional performer at a very low cost
5) Improved physical & mental health wellbeing
6) The chance to directly shape a piece of aerial theatre that is intended to show the issues being faced by the transgender community. We want the community to hep write it & shape the character
Steps to get it done:
- Perform piece aerial theatre live
- Upload apiece of aerial theatre for the public via Youtube
- Have 20 members
- Buy Circus Equipment
- Buy CrossFit Equipment
- Book venue
- Create Google Adwords Campaign
- Create 30 Engaging Posts for Social Media
My names Holly Hutchinson and I made history this year by being the first ever transgender person to take part in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins
I now have a chance to inspire and make a difference so that's why I'm going to make this project happen
