Participation and Communications Volunteer Opportunity for the Summer term 2018

An opportunity for someone to gain valuable experience within Green Candle Dance Company working with children, young people and older adults.

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 participation and communications volunteer to join our team for the Summer 2018. 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 for a variety of groups, and support the office with communications and general administrative support.

This role is suitable for those interested in developing skills working with children and young people and older people. The candidate will assist classes led by the Green Candle team at our home in Bethnal Green as well as in a variety of settings in the community that may include care homes, day centres, nursing homes and schools.

The candidate will need to be available on Tuesdays consistently throughout the summer term, which runs from week commencing Tuesday 17^th April – Mid July.

The opportunity to assist will offer the successful candidate the chance to experience dance delivery in a variety of contexts. 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 children and 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 or call 0207 739 7722 for more information.

Application deadline: 12 noon Friday 6^th April 2018

Interviews: Friday 13^th April 2018 by invitation only at Oxford House, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG.

www.greencandledance.com

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding our Moving into Maturity workshop in May/June 2018. Booking is now open for this two day introductory course in leading dance for older people and dance for dementia.

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.

Both days will include the unique opportunity to share in the knowledge and experience of participants who regularly take part in dance activities with Green Candle – on day one, the Green Candle Senior Dancers, and on day two, the participants of the Remember to Dance programme for people with early to mid-stage dementia and their companions or carers. This session will be accompanied by live music.

When: 31st May and 1st June 2018, 9.30am-4.30pm
Where: Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London E2 6HG
Fees: One day – £70 / £55 concession; Two days – £120 / £95 concession (students, unemployed, 60+)
Deadline for booking:  Thursday 18th May, 2018

Day one: Leading Dance with Older People
Thursday 31st May 2018
Led by Fergus Early, participants will take part in practical sessions for older people as delivered by Green Candle (standing and seated), including warm ups, stretching, improvisation, a choreographed sequence and cool downs. A wide range of discussion about ageing and the empowerment of older people will be facilitated.

Day two: Dance and Dementia
Friday 1st June 2018
Our second day will address leading dance specifically for people with dementia.
Fergus Early will focus on the application of dance sessions for people living with dementia including practical activities and reflective discussions, and in addition a Dementia Awareness presentation will be led by experts from the Alzheimer’s Society.

To find out further details and book a place, contact:
Vicki Busfield – Community and Education Manager
email: vicki@greencandledance.com
tel: 0207 739 7722

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

Copyright: John M Fulton Photography

January 2018 saw the end of our intergenerational dance project in the London Borough of Redbridge

The Dance Interlinks project brought together children from Redbridge Primary School and participants of Green Candle’s Remember to Dance in Redbridge group at Elderberries Day Centre  from Autumn to Spring 2017/18 to dance together, develop creative stories and choreograph movement all inspired by the borough’s namesake, the ‘Red Bridge’.

The project aimed to:

-Reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing

-Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing through regular dance activities.

-Improve self-confidence and self-esteem of participants.

-Improve relationships within the community between individuals and organisations, break down barriers and dispel preconceived conceptions between older and younger generations.

The project culminated in a day of sharing between the younger and older participants.

When asked what they enjoyed the most about the project, the students replied;

“Making own movements and meeting older people because we all got along and had creative ideas.”

“Working with the older people because it gave us a chance to see what their ideas were. Also making the dance because it was a fun way to express the journey of our movement in dance.”

“Writing the story and performing.”

“Doing the dance and writing the story.”

“Meeting the older people because it was really fun and I liked playing all the activities with them.”

“My favourite part was meeting the older people because I know that it made them very happy.”

The older participants benefitted greatly from involvement in the project and very much enjoyed working with the children. One older participant commented that they don’t have any grandchildren so it was lovely to have younger people around as it made them feel younger and perked them up.

When asked what they enjoy and what benefit they feel they get the older participants comments included;

“We enjoy the company of the group, the exercises, dances and music.”

“It’s stimulating and good fun.”

Susan Wardle,  the Operations Manager  at Elderberries Day Centre told us:

“Our service users that have attended have always come out smiling, with their spirits lifted and we have been so grateful for the input your sessions have provided. Song, dance and live music is food for the soul and you will be sorely missed from our service.”

Green Candle would like to thank everyone involved in the project  – particpants, volunteers, staff, funders and supporters and we look forward to getting involved in more intergenerational projects in the future!

The project was funded by Vision RCL Redbridge Arts Grants and City Bridge Trust. Remember to Dance in Redbridge is delivered in partnership with Elderberries Day Centre, Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, Redbridge Respite Carers Association, Redbridge Carers Support Service and North East London NHS Foundation Trust’s Memory Clinic (MHCOP).

We are looking for a volunteer dance assistant to support our dance and dementia programme, ‘Remember to Dance’ in Redbridge, East London on Thursday afternoons.

‘Remember to Dance’ provides weekly dance and live music workshops for people living with early to mid-stage dementia and their carers or companions. Research of the programme by the Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christchurch University, has found that these sessions help improve the quality of life, functioning, motivation, creative and emotional expression, confidence, relationships, social competence, and overall wellbeing for people in different stages of dementia and those involved in their care.

This is a unique chance for an artist to gain practical experience in community arts and the role is suitable for someone interested in particular in developing skills working with older people and those with dementia. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual who can assist in the delivery of this weekly session led by the Green Candle team.

The successful candidate will need to be available from 1-3.30pm every Thursday during the spring term, which runs from week commencing Friday 12th January to Thursday 29th March.

Due to the nature of the environment where our dance sessions take place and project participants, we expect the successful candidate to be open-minded and have a warm, friendly persona. Candidates must hold a current 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 or call 0207 739 7722 for more information.

Application deadline: 12 noon Friday 2nd February 2018
Interviews: Tuesday 6th February

We have an opportunity for two people to gain valuable experience within Green Candle Dance Company working with children, young people and older adults.

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 two participation and communications volunteers to join our team for the spring term 2018. This is a unique chance for artists to gain practical learning and leadership skills in the community arts. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals who can assist in the delivery of weekly sessions for a variety of groups, and support the office with communications and general administrative support.

These two new roles are suitable for those interested in developing skills working with children and young people, older people and those with dementia. Candidates will assist classes led by the Green Candle team at our home in Bethnal Green as well as in a variety of settings in the community that may include care homes, day centres, nursing homes and schools.

Both candidates will need to be available for one or two of the following days a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – consistently throughout the summer term, which runs from week commencing Friday 12th January to Thursday 29th March.

The opportunity to assist will offer the successful candidates the chance to experience dance delivery in a variety of contexts. Due to the nature of the environment where our dance sessions take place, we expect the candidates to be open-minded and have a warm, friendly persona. Candidates 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 suzanne@greencandledance.com or call 0207 739 7722 for more information.

Application deadline: 12 noon Wednesday 10th January 2018
Interviews: Monday 15th January 2018 by invitation only at Oxford House, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG.

www.greencandledance.com

Green Candle Dance Company is creating a new post of freelance Fundraising Officer and seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and creative individual

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Freelance part time post: 2 days per month with provision to increase dependent upon results (specific days to be agreed upon appointment)
Salary: £150 per day self-employed (inclusive of travel expenses)
Please note that this will be a freelance contract and you will be responsible for your own Public Liability Insurance, Tax and National Insurance.

Green Candle Dance Company is one of the country’s leading dance companies working with and for children, young people and older adults. The company is now looking to recruit a fundraising officer with proven experience of fundraising for participatory arts. S/He will be responsible for researching and developing new funding streams to support the increased call for participatory projects and will demonstrate prior knowledge of applying to trusts and grant-giving bodies.

The successful candidate will be contracted on a freelance open-ended contract at 2 days per month, with a 6 month probationary period from start date. The fundraising officer will be based at the company’s office in Oxford House, Bethnal Green and will report directly to Artistic Director Fergus Early.

KEY DATES:
Closing date for applications: 12 noon Wednesday 11^th October 2017.
Interviews: Invitation only interviews will be held in the week of 30^th October 2017.
Start date: November 2017 (specific days to be agreed upon appointment)
Probationary period:  6 months from start date

For more information or to request an application pack and job description email:
Vicki Busfield, Community & Education Manager at: vicki@greencandledance.com

Green Candle is an Equal Opportunities employer. Appointments will be subject to references and Enhanced DBS checks.

Green Candle Dance Company is creating a new post of freelance Communications and Marketing Officer and seeking to recruit a creative, enthusiastic and skilled individual

Freelance Part time Post: 4 days per month (specific days to be agreed upon appointment)
Salary: £120 per day self-employed (inclusive of travel expenses)
Please note that this will be a freelance contract and you will be responsible for your own Public Liability Insurance, Tax and National Insurance.

Green Candle Dance Company is one of the country’s leading dance companies working with and for children, young people and older adults. The company is looking to recruit a marketing and communications officer with experience of managing digital communications, developing marketing material and delivering a social media strategy that extends the reach of our work, engages new and current audiences, and builds our brand and profile.

The successful candidate will be contracted on a freelance open-ended contract at 4 days per month, with an initial 6 month probationary period commencing from start date. The role will be based at the company’s office in Oxford House, Bethnal Green and s/he will report to the Community and Education Manager.

KEY DATES:
Closing date for applications: 12 noon Wednesday 4^th October 2017.
Interviews: Invitation only interviews will be held in the week of 16^th October 2017.
Start date: November 2017 (specific date to be agreed upon appointment)
Probationary period:  6 months from start date

For more information or to request an application pack and job description email:
Vicki Busfield, Community & Education Manager at: vicki@greencandledance.com

Green Candle is an Equal Opportunities employer. Appointments will be subject to references and Enhanced DBS checks.

Places still available for Green Candle’s unique and hugely popular Level 3 accredited course starting in October 2017.

Suitable for teachers, dancers and dance students, health care workers, occupational therapists and activity coordinators, the Leading Dance for Older People Diploma provides an understanding of how to lead safe, effective and enjoyable dance and  movement work with older people.

‘The course gave me new insight into practical aspects of teaching and acted as a spring board for potential areas of theoretical research.’   Course participant 2016-17

For full details of the course, how to apply and 2017-18 dates take a look at our Courses page.