A PILOT programme designed to prove whether dance training can help vulnerable young people transform their lives has achieved encouraging results.

Thrive Dance Academy was set up by The Dance Movement in Farnham to provide a positive alternative educational experience for 16 to 18-year-olds living in Waverley who are not in education, employment or training.

During the initial three-week intervention project, the young people experienced what it is like to work and be part of a company of professional dancers.

Each day began with a morning dance class, followed by an afternoon of developing a dance which they performed before an audience, including the High Sherriff of Surrey Jim Glover and Farnham deputy mayor Paula Dunsmore.

Rachel Deadman, programme director at The Dance Movement, said: “As a dancer, I am only too aware of the benefits of dance but even I was blown away by the outcomes of this project. We set out to prove how dance can be used as a device for vulnerable young people to develop key life skills, build trust with adults and other young people and provide an opportunity for them to consider and reflect upon their ability to achieve and succeed.”

After the performance, Mr Glover said: “When considering funding applications, we look for projects that give young people who find it difficult at school a real opportunity to grow, to find friendship, be part of a team, to discover personal pride or just to be inspired. This project has inspired, and I hope it will continue to do so. The performance was marvellous – well done to everybody.”

The impact of the project has been measured against 12 outcomes which include self-esteem, mental health, crime and communication.

E-mail Rachel Deadman at [email protected] or call 01252 745420.