The idea
Corona won't always be here and we are planning for September! Dance Against Arthritis helps people to stay physically, mentally, socially active through the magic of partnered dancing, especially for people aged 45+ in a safe, warm, friendly atmosphere, supporting joint health. Get the opportunity to dance with lots of different people, make friends, learn something new, get off your sofa, out of the house and have FUN at beautiful venue. Arranged and hosted by experienced, qualified, insured teachers. Key rules: 1.Beginners and people with two left feet welcome. 2. You don't have to bring a partner.3.If you can walk briskly to the local post box, you can probably do this dance. 5.We play music from 1950s to 2020s. 6. Tell us your favourite song/your birthday in advance = we'll make a fuss of you.7.Bring cake, nibbles, drinks to share. 8.Smile. 9. Use hand sanitisers, good deodorant, hygiene. 11.Dress smart casual. NB: We have contingency plans in place due to Corona, if necessary.
What we'll deliver
- Two hours of freestyle partnered dancing
- half hour beginners' partnered dance class
- hire a lovely hall for up to 100 people to facilitate the dancing
- provide refreshments, assisted by guests
- promote the event in local press, social media
- promote through a leaflet drop campaign
- use free software to measure membership attendance
- request and gather written feedback and photos and videoclips
- Skills training to staff and local volunteers on event management
Why it's a great idea
* An opportunity for hundreds of people within a three mile radius to attend a low-cost fun event supporting physical and mental health, reducing social isolation, a huge problem for older people.
* We ran small, well-reviewed events before that generated good press coverage. But these events can be expensive. Crowdfunding helps promote an event more effectively, reach more people and attract ambassadors. The location has been used by us before, supported by good bus/tube links, so it is environmentally friendly. Many people can walk to the event. We believe new friendships will be formed. People will have something fun, exciting and healthy to talk about with friends, neighbours and acquaintances on social media and on WhatsApp, creating a focal point for a locality which has nothing like this and doesn't even have a community centre. Skills-building and esteem-building volunteering opportunities will exist, and even job possibilities, across ages in a fun, supportive setting.
Steps to get it done
- book the hall
- book dance teacher
- book dance demonstrator
- book front of house representative
- book assistant front of house representative
- Test DJ equipment and radio mike
- purchase event/teacher insurance
- purchase or validate equipment insurance
- print fliers
- update /recreate website
- update/recreate facebook page
- Distribute fliers
- Advertise on social media and via email and local publications
The organiser is a qualified personal performance life coach, executive coach and a qualified dance teacher, with business and leadership experience. He is also a mature individual who has worked as a counsellor, lives with arthritis and has empathy for people from a range of backgrounds. He and his team plan to train two or three people to help coordinate and manage the event, giving them valuable people management and leadership skills and confidence, which hopefully will turn into regular work and volunteering opportunities if the event is a success. We believe that creating a strong, skilful and valued event team and related culture will provide a strong, warm and valued experience for all our users. We commit to every team member and every visitor having a quality and fun experience where they feel valued and where they obtain value from their involvement in a safe, welcoming, professional environment. If the Corona lockdown continues, we will pursue an online solution.
