OLDER AND DANCING

Since 2006 Green Candle has been working in partnership with Mile End Hospital, the Sundial Centre and other day centres in Tower Hamlets, providing weekly dance sessions to contribute to the physical and psychological wellbeing of the participants.

These workshops are a stimulating and fun form of exercise, including breathing exercises, stretches, gentle cardiovascular work and learning simple dance sequences. These exercises have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, mobility, strength, co-ordination and balance. There is a strong emphasis on social interaction and creative release, with participants being encouraged to be imaginative and inventive in the movement they do, helping build their confidence and self esteem. The workshops are usually chair based and are tailored to each individual group, providing the maximum benefits for all participants.

                Participants in workshop at Lawrence Close, Sheltered Housing

   Fergus Early leads a standing session     'Red Toes Day' : Fergus Early and participant

   for Warwick County Council                          at St Hilda's East Community Centre

                                                                                 Photography: Kathryn Gilfroy

                                        Mile End Hospital

                                        Photography: Sonia Illescas

                                                     Mile End Hospital

                                                    Photography: Sonia Illescas

'It always makes me forget my pains and worries...'

(Workshop participant)

'Physical benefits have been achieved. Patients enjoy the exercise and movement and found that it has helped.'

(Physiotherapist, Mile End Hospital)

'We feel much more confident now that we have got to know each other so well'.'

(Workshop Participant)

*We are currently offering a FREE TASTER SESSION of either a standing or seated dance workshop on a Monday or Tuesday.

For further information on our workshops or to book one please contact:

communitydanceartist@greencandledance.com

020 7739 7722

HORWOOD MEN'S GROUP

Community dance artist William Palmer and Artistic Director Fergus Early lead the Horwood Men's exercise group. Weekly sessions are held at the Bangla School, Bethnal Green for Bangladeshi men with support from 'Activate London' via The Peabody Trust.

                                         Photography: Fergus Early

YOUNGER AND DANCING

GET YOUR SCHOOL DANCING!

                       Green Candle's Education Programme

Whether you're looking for a new after-school activity, an exciting way to support curriculum learning, a fresh approach to engaging with your reception class or the chance to inspire your Gifted and Talented students, Green Candle Dance Company is ready to challenge your expectations!

• Workshops and residencies
• Cross curricular dance projects
• Master classes for GCSE and A-Level dance
• INSET and continued professional development
• Resource packs and DVDs

                                  Click on the flyer below to read more

RESIDENCIES

Over the past fifteen years Green Candle has built a national reputation for leading expert, creative cross art form (fusing drama, music, art with dance) residencies in a safe enjoyable environment.

A Green Candle residency involves anything from 2-6 members of the performing company "taking up residence" either with a particular institution (a school, residential home) or in a particular area or district for an extended period of time (whether it be for 1 or 8 weeks, for 2 hours a week or 5 full consecutive days).

Our professional dancers are specially trained to work confidently with all members of the community including children, young people, people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory impairments, adults and old people .

Each residency is individually designed to create a challenging and exciting experience for all involved. A key element within this is careful planning between Green Candle's staff and the teachers, carers, youth leaders involved to ensure that each residency meets the talents, needs and goals of the group and organisation.

Green Candle offers a wide variety of residency patterns. If you have a particular project in mind or would just like to discuss some ideas with us please do not hesitate to contact Sonia Illescas (Community Dance Artist).

WORKSHOPS

Green Candle leads creative workshops to accompany every production, using the themes of the show as the springboard for individual creative development. The company also gives independent workshops for all age groups and abilities which are designed to fit in with the needs of the particular group or organisation.

IN-SERVICE TRAINING for TEACHERS and CARERS (INSET)

Inset, an acronym for in-service training, refers to workshops specially designed for teachers and care staff who already use or would like to start, using dance in their work. Green Candle's sessions are aimed at increasing the confidence and skills of participants working with movement for children and older people.

Sessions will provide participants with new material, improving skills in planning and development and offer practical ideas and suggestions for lessons/classes. Green Candle places great importance on in-service training for teachers and carers. If the enormous benefits of dance as an art and as a physical activity are to continue to spread, teaching those who regularly teach and care for groups of people is an effective and far reaching tool.

WORK with DEAF CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE

Green Candle Dance Company ran the Dance Summer School for Deaf Children in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells, from 1999 to 2007. The school proved successful in providing a unique experience for children aged 6-14 years, enabling them to explore their creativity in a deaf-friendly environment.

In addition to this each children's production is also taken to schools for deaf and hard of hearing children.

“It was a really excellent day for our children – hearing and deaf children working together. They got so much out of it – as did the staff involved.”
Teacher at Cann Hall, Leytonstone