The idea
Following the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and National Eye Health Week, Illuminate Freedom, in partnership with Better and Islington Council, are helping to raise awareness of sight loss and inclusive access to dance, exercise and sport, for people of all ages and abilities in Islington and across London. - A fun and uplifting Dance for Health Class, to 50s and 60s music, with Illuminate Freedom - Walking Football, with Arsenal Football Club - Target Practice, with Metro Blind Sport - Adult Bouncy Castle plus a Bungee Run, both with full Access Support! - Face Painting - Free Light Refreshment - Royal London Society for Blind People and Illuminate Freedom Information Tables Sighted visitors will get the chance to challenge their senses during each activity, by being offered a blindfold and instructions on how to take part... in the dark! #DanceintheDark is fully inclusive and is for everyone – of all ages and all abilities – so come along and join in the fun!
What we'll deliver
- A safe and supportive environment for having fun, meeting new people and getting fitter and healthier
- Two fabulous giant adult bouncy castles, supervised by our wonderful Access Support Team
- A fun and uplifting, fully inclusive, giant audio-described dance in the park
- Fantastic inclusive sports activities with some of the leading organisations providing Sport for All!
- Our wonderful DJ playing some fabulous music next to our "Freedom to Move" dance floor
- Children and adult Face Painting and FREE water and fruit
- New regular accessible Dance for Health and exercise classes and opportunities, in Islington and across London
Why it's a great idea
Dance in the Dark is a great idea because there are very few regular dance, exercise and health and well-being programmes for visually impaired people in Islington and across London. Since Illuminate Freedom launched in 2015, we have been inundated with requests from people to bring our awesome classes and services to their own boroughs. Much awareness still needs to be raised across London and the UK with regards to sight loss, and Dance in the Dark aims to bring the community together to break down barriers and build cohesion.
Steps to get it done
- Booking the DJ, bouncy castles, face painters, dance and sport activities, information tables and buying the equipment
- Booking event staff and volunteers and delivering Visual Impairment Awareness Training
- Implementing Health and Safety procedures
- Advertising Dance in the Dark and spreading the word
- Designing the fun sessions and adding audio description
- Launching Dance in the Dark!
- Sharing our photos and videos of the event on our website and Facebook and Twitter pages
- Sharing our photos of the event on our Facebook and Twitter pages
- Delivering future weekly Dance for Health classes for visually impaired people across London
- Delivering regular accessible Dance, Exercise, Health and Well-Being Programmes across London
