Volunteer Dance Assistant Opportunity for the Autumn term 2019

At Green Candle we believe in providing professional development opportunities and experiences for dance artists new to the field, or looking to enhance their knowledge.

We are currently looking for one or two Volunteer Dance Assistants for the 2019 Autumn term.

This is a unique chance for an artist to gain practical learning and leadership skills in the community arts. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual who can assist in the delivery of weekly sessions and support the office with project administration.

This role is suitable for those interested in developing skills working with older people. The successful applicant(s) will work with ‘Spinoff’ Green Candle’s long established over 55’s performance group, assist at other dance sessions in and around East London, and will support the Green Candle office with general project administration tasks.

Ideally the applicant(s) will be available on Mondays from 10-12pm and Tuesdays from 9.30 – 5pm consistently throughout the term, from week commencing Monday 14^th October – Tuesday 17^th December. However, we are flexible on how these sessions might be covered by the successful applicant(s).

The opportunity to assist will offer the successful applicant(s) the chance to experience dance delivery for older people. Due to the nature of the environment where our dance sessions take place, we expect the applicant(s) to be open-minded and have a warm, friendly persona. Because the successful applicant will be working with vulnerable adults, they must hold a current enhanced DBS certificate. This is an unpaid position; however, the Company will cover travel expenses within London.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your reason for applying to fergus@greencandledance.com with ‘Autumn -Volunteer Dance Assistant’ in the email subject header or call 0207 739 7722 for more information.

Application deadline: Friday 4^th October

Interviews: Wednesday 9^th October (afternoon)

Start date:  Monday 14^th October

www.greencandledance.com

We are delighted to share the film from our recent intergenerational dance and documentary film project – Growing Together

Between March and July 2019, Growing Together brought together children from Redbridge Primary School and the Remember to Dance in Redbridge group to take part in weekly dance workshops led by Green Candle’s Vicki Busfield alongside documentary film making workshops led by an accessible film production team of Vita Terry and Joe Mannion.

Remember to Dance is Green Candle’s dance project for people living with dementia and their carers/companions.

Through the process of the workshops the children learnt about dementia, how it affects people in different ways and that just because they have dementia doesn’t mean they are no longer a valid member of society. When asked the question: Do you feel more confident in socialising/talking with people from a different generation and/or with dementia after taking part in this project? All children answered yes.

During the process new connections were formed and friendships were made. By coming together through regular dance workshops the participants developed close bonds.

“Old and young can and do mix well” older person

“anybody can be friends and it doesn’t have to always be the same age.” child

The project had a profound effect on those involved in it, including the participants, school staff, film team and dance artists, as well as the audience who came to the sharing event at the end of the project.

“Amazing emotional performance. Great sense of community transcending the generations. This shows that we need to always look after our older generation and age gaps are without barriers. Inspiring!!” Audience member

After the project , one daughter of a person with dementia commented, “Mum really enjoyed being with the children, she came ALIVE again for a short while.”

We would like to thank our partners, funders and supporters for making this project possible.

Redbridge Primary School
The National Lottery Community Fund
London Borough of Redbridge
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure
Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering
Redbridge Respite Care Association
Redbridge Carers Support Service
North East London NHS Foundation Trust

ANNOUNCEMENT 23/08/2019:  Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to postpone the start of our Leading Dance For Older People diploma course for 2019/20.  We are still welcoming expressions of interest to fergus@greencandledance.com and will update you as soon as possible with new dates. 

Now booking for its seventh year, this hugely successful course will begin again in October 2019.

The DIPLOMA IN LEADING DANCE FOR OLDER PEOPLE is a Level 3 OCNLR Course covering 13 accredited units over six weekends (one weekend a month for 6 months).

This in depth course will deliver an understanding of how to lead safe, effective and enjoyable dance and movement work with older people, providing a bal ance between three main areas:

1.Theory
2.Dance and movement work by participants
3.Assessed practice with older people.

The course is suitable for teachers, dancers and dance students, health care workers, occupational therapists and activity coordinators.

Find out more about the course content

Course fees: £1,200 (includes registration and certification)
Contact: fergus@greencandledance.com for an
application form.
Closing date:  The deadline for applications is 15th September 2019.

Please note:  Places are limited and we require a £200 deposit to secure your place

In May 2019, we wrapped up our Diploma in Leading Dance for Older People and said goodbye to our current intake of wonderful students.  They all worked very hard and passed with flying colours.

Watch the video below to find out who they were and what they though of the course.

On April 27th 2019, Spinoff – our dance company for over 55s,  performed at The Bull Theatre in Barnet, London as part of the ‘Keep On Moving 111’ festival.

The festival was The Bull Theatre’s third annual intergenerational Dance Festival, celebrating the joy of dance across the ages.

In addition to Green Candle, the festival featured Susi Earnshaw Theatre School, D2D Dance Company and Counterpoint Dance Company.

Thanks to the amazing audience who gave us such a great reception.  Spinoff and Green Candle were delighted to be involved and had a fantastic time!

Watch a video of Spinoff performing at the festival below

At the beginning of 2019, we were selected by the committee of the Dance Society of Kings College London to be their official charity of the year, along with Magpie Dance.

KCL Dance society is one of the largest and most successful society’s within Kings College London and this year they celebrated their 20th Anniversary with their “This Is 20!” Annual Show which took place on March 20-22nd 2019 at the iconic Greenwood Theatre in London Bridge.

The show involved 150 dancers and 36 choreographers in an entirely student produced show that ran for 3 fantastic nights, with the Friday show being completely sold out!  The amount of hard work and effort that went into the show was incredible and we were delighted to be there to watch.

The events raised over £7500 which was split equally between Green Candle Dance Company and Magpie Dance.

We would like to say a huge thank you to KCL Dance Society for choosing us and for raising much needed funds to help us continue the work that we do!

From 8-9th April 2019, we held our annual Moving into Maturity workshop here at Oxford House in London.  This two day professional development workshop is aimed at those interested in leading dance for older people and dance for dementia.

Moving into Maturity is a specially designed introductory professional development course for people who are working or intending to work with older people. Suitable for professional dance artists, health care professionals and students , the course introduces some of the key skills needed to lead dance sessions, both seated and standing, with older people and people with dementia.

This year we welcomed 16 new students onto the course who took part in sessions with our Artistic Director Fergus Early and the Alzheimer’s Society and also got the chance to join in sessions with Spinoff – our dance company for Over 55s and Remember to Dance – our dance and live music sessions for people living with dementia and their carers/companions.

Watch a short video below which includes feedback from some of our students

If you’re interested in signing up next time please keep an eye on our professional development page and our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news of future dates

“Thank you so much for a brilliant day on Monday, it helped & inspired me both professionally & personally”. Hannah Dawson, Moving into Maturity student 2019

An opportunity for someone to gain valuable experience within a leading community dance company working with ‘Spinoff’ Green Candle’s long established over 55’s performance group.

At Green Candle we believe in providing professional development opportunities and experiences for dance artists new to the field, or looking to enhance their knowledge. We are currently looking for a Volunteer Dance Assistant for the 2019 Summer term. This is a unique chance for an artist to gain practical learning and leadership skills in the community arts. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual who can assist in the delivery of weekly sessions and support the office with project administration.

This role is suitable for those interested in developing skills working with older people. The candidate will assist ‘Spinoff’ Green Candle’s 55+ dance performance group at our home in Bethnal Green as well as in a variety of settings in the community that may include community centres, theatres and outdoor festivals.

Ideally the candidate will be available on Tuesdays from 9-5pm consistently throughout
the Summer term, from week commencing Tuesday 7^th May – Tuesday 16^th July.

The opportunity to assist will offer the successful candidate the chance to experience dance delivery for older people. Due to the nature of the environment where our dance sessions take place, we expect the candidate to be open-minded and have a warm, friendly persona. Because the successful applicant will be working with vulnerable adults, they must hold a current enhanced DBS certificate. This is an unpaid position; however, the Company will cover travel expenses within London.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your reason for applying to vicki@greencandledance.com with ‘Spinoff -Volunteer Dance Assistant’ in the email subject header or call 0207 739 7722 for more information.

Application deadline: Tuesday 23^rd April
Interviews: Friday 3^rd May
Start date:  Tuesday 7^th May

www.greencandledance.com

We are delighted to announce that bookings are now open have for our Moving into Maturity professional development workshop. This two day introductory course in leading dance for older people and dance & dementia takes place Oxford House in London from 8-9th April 2019.

Moving into Maturity is an introductory professional development course for people working, or intending to work with older people. Suitable for professional dance artists, health care professionals and students, this course will introduce some of the key skills needed to lead dance sessions, both seated and standing, with older people and people with dementia. Attendees may take part in the two days or join us for one of the days.

Moving into Maturity is an excellent introduction to Green Candle’s Diploma Course ‘Leading Dance with Older People’ accredited at Level 3 

We recently welcomed Annie Gargya as the newest member of the Green Candle Board. Below Annie tells us a little bit about herself and her life before Green Candle.

“I trained at The Royal Ballet Upper School before joining the company for a few years and before having my children.

“I then worked freelance for different organisations including the LSO, various museums, colleges and schools leading dance, drama and art workshops.   I also worked for The Royal Ballet Education Department going into schools and colleges with dancers from the company leading workshops culminating in performance pieces all over the country.

In my 40’s I thought it was about time I got a proper job and wanted to train as a teacher.  However, having left school at 16 to go to the ballet school and without a degree I discovered that was not possible.  Fortunately, an inspiring woman at the Institute of Education suggested that my experience of performing and teaching dance might be a good foundation for a Master’s Degree in Dance at The Laban Centre, accredited by City University.

Much to my surprise I was accepted for a 2-year part time Masters Course which I found challenging and very rewarding.  My dissertation ‘Colliding Words’ drew on my experience as a dancer and of working in schools and colleges in dance in education.  Again, to my amazement I was awarded a distinction.

I then took on a PGCE at The Institute of Education and worked for 20 years as a primary school teacher in Tower Hamlets, eventually becoming Deputy Head at a primary school in Poplar and finally retiring in 2014.

I discovered Green Candle in 2016 and have loved being part of a diverse group of older dancers where the underlying ethos is ‘everyone can dance’.

I have been a trustee of Stitches in Time, another Tower Hamlets charity, for the last 12 years and since my retirement have taken on the role of Secretary.

I have 2 grown up children and 1 adorable grandson.”

We are delighted Annie has joined us and we know she will be an invaluable addition to the Green Candle board

Find out more about our other board members