BOYS and young men in Bradford have taken part in a ‘Day of Dance’ kickstarting a project aimed at boosting confidence and equipping them with life skills.

The DUXY Project is organised by Dance United Yorkshire (DUY), a Bradford-based charity working with disadvantaged and marginalised people and communities. Through dance training and performance, the charity helps participants to push themselves and unlock creative potential.

It tailors bespoke dance projects meet the needs of people struggling with difficult life circumstances, including young people who are disengaged/excluded from mainstream education, people accessing mental health services, women suffering domestic abuse and families living in areas of deprivation.

Says DUY Dance Programmes Manager Romina Thornton: “We believe wholly in the power of dance to have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of excluded people, and we harness the creative dynamism and versatility of contemporary dance to secure change. Proudly Bradford based, our practice focuses primarily on delivery within our district and in the wider Yorkshire region.

“The DUXY project, which is supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, will expand opportunities for boys and young men across Bradford to participate in high quality dance programming, resourcing participants creatively and socially whilst supporting improved physical and mental health.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The DUXY Project boosts physical and mental health The DUXY Project boosts physical and mental health (Image: Submitted)

“Through workshops, performance events and weekly classes, participants will be inspired and encouraged to unlock their hidden potential as dancers, choreographers and performers. Participants will also develop transferable life skills, gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment, develop new relationships and embrace the possibility of dance as a career.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The dance sessions build confidence and teamworkThe dance sessions build confidence and teamwork (Image: Submitted)

The participants are from Bradford Academy, Bradford Forster Academy, Carlton Keighley (UAK) and Bradford College. At the recent Day of Dance they took part in a variety of workshops led by Bradford Dance United artist Vince Virr and Motionhouse, a professional dance company which runs education and training activities and creates and tours dance-circus productions, blending elements of circus and acrobatics with dance, digital imagery and powerful narrative.

Motionhouse rehearsal director Junior Cunningham talked to the students, and they watched a short performance.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Motionhouse dancers performed at the Day of Dance Motionhouse dancers performed at the Day of Dance (Image: Submitted)

Now each group is attending weekly sessions led by Vince Virr, which look at building skills and developing technique. They will culminate in a new piece to be shared at a DUXY performance event at Bradford’s Studio theatre on Tuesday, March 21.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Motionhouse dancers in action Motionhouse dancers in action (Image: Submitted)

Feedback from schools has been positive. One teacher said: “Developing transferable skills are so important for all career pathways. Dance teaches teamwork, confidence, leadership and creativity that we expect our young people to be equipped with, but not many subjects teach how to be confident and a team player. Giving students time to learn away from the desk is vital.”

* For more about the DUXY Project go to duy.org.uk