Dance South West

Dance South West is working with Youth Dance England to deliver an exciting Regional Youth Dance Development Programme.

Youth Dance England (YDE) is the national organisation that champions dance for children and young people. YDE works to ensure that dance is available to all, both in and out of school settings.

There are 3 keys aims to Youth Dance England’s National Brief: increase access, raise standards and improve progression routes in dance.

YDE has partnered with key regional organisations to create a network of nine Youth Dance Strategy Managers across the country. Kate Barsby is the Youth Dance Strategy Manager for the South West, based at Dance South West.

You can find out more about Youth Dance England by visiting the YDE website.
The South West Regional Youth Dance Development Programme has the following strategic aims:

• Shape the environment for youth dance through the impact of partnerships & infrastructural development
• Grow influence and increase support for youth dance
• Maximise opportunities for young people to be introduced to & progress in dance
• Routinely respect and respond to the views of young people
• Improve the regional dance workforce skills base

These aims will be met through 7 key strands:

• Infrastructure Development       
• Partnership Development
• Communications & Advocacy       
• Performance Opportunities (U. Dance)
• Progression routes (Career Development)           
• Young People’s Engagement (SWYDN)
• Raising Standards (CPD)

You can find out more about these strands by browsing the youth dance pages on this website or click here for a summary of the Regional Youth Dance Business Plan.

As well as delivering a regional programme of activity, Dance South West is using the investment from Youth Dance England to enhance Dance South West’s Dance Partner’s capacity to engage in youth dance. Nine Youth Dance Leads have been recruited to join up activity and develop more opportunities for youth dance across each county and city (Bath yet to be finalised). For more information click on the links below: