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Celebrating Success: IMPACD CIC’s First 6 Months Creating a Community of Inclusivity and Joy

a woman kneels on one leg, her hands infront of her face, she has her head bowed in dance. She wears a yellow cardigan and blue jumpsuit,, her haid is short and grey. Behond her on the dance studio wall is a graffitti of a pride coloured bird wings

Written by

Amanda


How Creative Activities and Dance Have Transformed Lives and Fueled Collaboration

Introduction:

At IMPACD CIC, we embarked on a journey six months ago to build a vibrant community where creativity, dance, and inclusivity thrive. Today, we are ecstatic to share our remarkable success story, as we not only exceeded our attendance targets but also formed local partnerships and significantly impacted our participants’ lives. Our journey has transformed, reduced loneliness and isolation, and fostered a sense of belonging for all.

Exceeding Attendance Targets and Local Partnerships:

The overwhelming response from our community has surpassed our expectations. Through word-of-mouth and enthusiastic support, our attendance has soared beyond the initial goals we set. We are deeply grateful for the growing number of individuals, families, and organizations who have joined our journey.

Our success is not just about numbers but the profound partnerships we have forged within our local community. Collaborating with like-minded organizations and community leaders has allowed us to create a united front, working together towards a shared mission of empowering lives through creativity and dance.

Improving Quality of Life and Reducing Loneliness:

The heart of IMPACD CIC beats with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all our participants. Through our multi-generational and inclusive activities, we have witnessed remarkable improvements in our attendees’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

In particular, we take immense pride in addressing loneliness and isolation. For older adults and refugees, finding a sense of belonging and companionship has been transformative. The community of friendship and kindness we have nurtured within Ward 6 has become a beacon of hope for those seeking connections and support.

Effective Integrated Sessions for All:

Our dedication to true inclusion shines brightly through our integrated sessions. Whether wheelchair users, walking aid users, or able-bodied individuals, everyone takes part together in our activities. This inclusivity fosters understanding, empathy, and a sense of unity that transcends physical abilities, creating an environment where all can thrive.

Empowering Through Community Dance Activities:

Creative activities and dance have proven to be powerful tools in transforming lives. Participants have discovered newfound confidence, self-expression, and joy in exploring their creative potential. The positive impact of these activities has rippled through our community, spreading happiness and inspiration.

Expansion Plans:

While we celebrate our successes within our walls, our ambitions extend beyond. We are determined to take our activities to new frontiers, reaching those who may not have access to such enriching experiences.

Our vision includes engaging with hospice end-of-life care, residential care facilities, and psychiatric secure units. By bringing the power of creativity and dance to these settings, we aim to provide comfort, healing, and joy to individuals during challenging times.

Amanda Hose-Hawley’s IMP Tool and Leadership Development:

A key aspect of our success has been the implementation of Amanda Hose-Hawley’s IMP (Inclusivity, Movement, and Passion) tool. This framework has guided our approach, ensuring that our activities are driven by true inclusivity and passion for making a positive impact.

We are excited to share this tool with enthusiastic community leaders and participants, empowering them to create their own impactful community dance activities. Through our leadership development program, we aim to nurture level 2 and 4 leaders who will carry the torch of inclusivity and creativity in their own communities.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the first six months of IMPACD CIC, we are filled with gratitude for the support of our community and the transformations we have witnessed. We have created a tapestry of joy, inclusion, and empowerment where creativity knows no bounds.

Our journey has just begun, and we invite everyone to join us in fostering a world where dance and creativity unite us, transcending barriers and cultivating a community of friendship and kindness.

Let’s continue to dance, create, and inspire together!

A middle-aged slender female session leader with short dark hair, wearing a blue jumpsuit and yellow cardigan, eyes closed and serene-looking, moves her arms pensively. Beautiful wings which adorn the back wall of the IMPACD studio seem to come out of her back like a bird in flight.

amanda accessible community dance

Amanda Hose-Hawley is the Director of IMPACD C.I.C and Todo Latino Dance Co. Ltd.

She has a strong background in dance education.

She graduated with high honours from Trinity Laban in 2022.

She earned a Level 6 diploma in dance teaching and learning.

She improved her skills and learned how dance can change lives.

In 2023, Amanda started a research project at FABRIC, which used to be called dance4.

This gave her the chance to work with expert dance leaders who also believed in inclusivity.

They created a new tool called IMP.

IMP stands for Inclusive Movement Prompt.

IMP helps everyone to use the Laban method of movements.

The Laban method is based on eight movements to express yourself with your body.

She loves helping people to show their feelings, get fit and make new friends through dancing.

She has a deep passion for making arts inclusive.

She has contributed a lot to the field of the teaching and learning of dance.

Amanda continues to push for positive change in community dance.

She is committed to creating a space where everyone can participate.

Amanda is a warm and friendly person.

She is able to connect with others.

She inspires everyone to embrace their own abilities.

She is enthusiastic and really cares about her students and colleagues.

This makes her a loved figure in the dance world.

Amanda shows how hard work and a strong belief in the power of dance can make a big difference.

She works to make dance easy for all to enjoy.

Her efforts inspire dancers and teachers everywhere.

Amanda is changing how dance is taught.

She is helping to create a future where everyone can take part.