Step for Change Jamaica

At last, that pesky Covid pandemic is tailing off. During the pandemic, I re-established connections with much-loved Jamaican friends and former colleagues. One of the many things we discussed was how difficult it is in Jamaica for at-risk groups who, through unfortunate circumstances, had ended up in correctional facilities or youth remand centres to get a second chance in life. They badly need access to support and skills in self-discipline, motivation, fitness, and life planning if their lives are not to be blighted.

In my career, I have successfully provided this kind of package through several community dance projects in Britain designed to benefit hard-to-reach groups. These have been delivered as Dance4Change (part of The Change Foundation) and the Birmingham Royal Ballet TV series Ballet Hoo!' How possible might it be to set up a similar charitable project in Jamaica, run by locals, and use community dance to improve people's lives? Everyone I spoke to was hugely encouraging, and that has given me the confidence to set up a community dance social action project called Step for Change Jamaica in the middle of 2021.

Through a Facebook fundraiser for my birthday in July 2021, kind friends and family donated just over £3000 towards the set-up costs and the roll-out of a pilot project. A further pledge of just over £1000 was received from kind donors at West London Synagogue's annual World AIDS Day fundraiser. A heartfelt thanks to all for all the support so far.

Step For Change Jamaica aims to support certain at-risk groups in overcrowded and under-resourced Jamaican correctional facilities and care homes, using dance to support physical and mental good health, encourage empathy and teamwork, and foster discipline and self-motivation. These include women, young people, and individuals with particular psychological or physical health issues. This is quite a sensitive area, so to avoid stigmatising the individuals, we will not specify what places each of them at particular risk - but rest assured, at-risk is what they are.

The project will be enhanced by social workers and psychologists who will work with individuals and prepare them for a safe and successful return into the community. This runs in parallel with group work by community dance trainers, notably those who specialise in Dance Hall, a Jamaican form of street dance which, like Passinho in Brazil, sends a subtle message of empowerment against drugs and crime.

All the authorities I have been in contact with in Jamaica have been encouraging, and they want to see this happen but have urged me to be patient! Things take a little longer to set up than anyone would ideally like. I'm champing at the bit, to set up a pilot and demonstrate the benefit. But first, I need to find the right fit in terms of location, partner organisation and programme. I am more determined than ever to move this project forward phase-by-phase when the time and the conditions are right. We're not far off; meanwhile, I am learning to be patient!

Thinking ahead, though, I have started this fundraiser to raise a further £5000, which will help fund phase 1 of the project once a pilot proves the concept is sound.

Will you join me? I would love to take with me on this journey a large and enthusiastic group of friends and like-minded people who believe in social action and believe in the power of dance to make things happen.

You can donate here to this worthy and much-needed project, and to discuss with me further, call or text me at (+44) 7768 455667