We strongly believe that aerial dance should be accessible to everybody and we work hard to make this happen.
This year so far we have provided 14 sessions especially designed for children and young people who have a disability or additional needs, helping them to get up in the air to experience the feeling of flying, build their confidence, express themselves and – most important of all – have fun!
We’ve worked with a number of amazing places to make this happen: Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock, the Burgh Hall in Dunoon and WHALE Arts in Wester Hailes. And we’ve been helped by our incredible partners Waterbaby Arts and Play Sense Create and by our funders YouthLink Scotland.
Young people enjoying the harnesses at the Beacon Arts Centre
Through these sessions we’ve had 59 young people trying out harnesses and cocoons to swing, spin and fly through the air. You can see from the pictures that they had a great time, but don’t just take our word for it. Our young aerialists said “Look Gran, look at me I’m flying!”, “This is the best fun!” and “I learned to fly like a ninja!”.
More images from sessions at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock
And we’ve had amazing feedback from parents about these sessions:
“There’s so little we can do in the holidays that is safe for him to take part in. He can come here and get all of his sensory needs met, that is when you get is focus and eye contact. Which is so unusual for him. If he could play and learn in this way all the time it would be wonderful for him.”
“He has ADHD and finds it hard to take turns, but with kinds words from your very friendly staff it helped a great deal. Thank you!”
“Stephen is happy to be here, he remembers being in this space and so he instantly feels safe.”
