A CHARITY which champions the value of dance and physical activity has secured more funding to provide activities to young people in Winsford.

Cheshire Dance’s initiative, ‘The Spotlight Project’, aims to give young people in the area more opportunities to engage in different activities for improved mental health and wellbeing.

Working in partnership with Youth Fed, the Mind Body Balance Academy, Winsford NHS Care Community, and New Images Youth and Community Centre, Cheshire Dance is providing a safe and supportive youth-led space for ages 11-18 to take part in creative physical activity free of charge, with trained specialist mental health professionals on site during all weekly sessions.

Producer of last year’s Winsford Creates festival, Cheshire Dance founded The Spotlight Project as an initiative to inspire young people through creativity.

During the pilot project, it was apparent that mental health challenges remain commonplace and Cheshire Dance looked to expand its work and provide a regular hub for young people to come together, build resilience and gain confidence in themselves.

With funding from Sport England via Active Cheshire, last November Cheshire Dance teamed up with other organisations to expand its offering and provide regular sessions for high school-aged people at New Images Youth and Community Centre.

With two strands of activity to choose from - dance and boxing fitness - Winsford’s young people have been able to take part in a range of creative and physical activities that place the young people and their wellbeing right in the spotlight.

Jane McLean, creative director at Cheshire Dance explained: “Mental health challenges for young people have grown significantly in recent years and were further exacerbated by the Covid 19 pandemic.

“In response to this, since November, The Spotlight Project has been giving young people in Winsford the chance to explore fitness, boxing, dance and creative activities whilst being guided by highly experienced practitioners who listen to and support the voices and any mental health needs of the young people involved.

“Through these sessions, young people can explore issues, ideas and topics that are important to them.”

Mark Smith from Youth Fed continues: “A high prevalence of declining mental health issues in Winsford’s young people was identified by the local NHS Care Community – plus Youth Fed’s existing mental health programme with young people in Winsford Academy and in the community – and having The Spotlight Project as a pathway for GP, social prescribing and community referrals where mental ill health can be addressed through creative and physical outputs has been hugely beneficial to the community.”

The Spotlight Project was initially due to run until March 2023 but thanks to new funding and support from Cheshire Community Foundation, the initiative will now continue until at least Autumn this year.

The extension to the project means Cheshire Dance can also develop a Young Leaders Programme.

From providing mentoring opportunities and the development of leadership skills, to giving participants the opportunity to be involved in other creative projects, the initiative looks to support the young people’s progression, not just during the project, but beyond it.

The Spotlight Project sessions take place at New Images Youth and Community Centre from 7pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings during term time.

Young people are encouraged to come along to take part in dance and movement sessions and/or boxing fitness workshops with the aim of trying something new, meeting new people, getting active and having fun.

The group is for all abilities and high school ages; beginners are very welcome.

No booking is required and all sessions are free.

For more information, search for ‘The Spotlight Project’ on the Cheshire Dance website or contact the team at: classes@cheshiredance.org.