Dance Dosti: Free Dance Classes for Visually Impaired People.

Step Change Studios and Metro Blind Sport have announced a free dance programme for visually impaired people, friends and family as part of the Dance Dosti initiative.

Funded by the Vision Foundation, the Dance Dosti initiative supports visually impaired people from a South Asian background to be active. The first phase of the project - Dance Dosti digital - established a website containing over 100 dance sessions in English, Bengali, Gujarati and Hindi.

The next phase of Dance Dosti will pilot face-to-face dance programmes in London, starting with Ealing on 2nd October. The Ealing programme is supported by Everyone Active and will take place at Southall Sport Centre for 12 weeks. Over the coming months, further programmes will be launched in Brent, Harrow, Newham, and Tower Hamlets.

Rashmi Becker, Founder of Step Change Studios said: "The aim of our live dance programmes is to create a supportive, fun environment where visually impaired people can learn to dance, make friends, develop new skills, and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. We know that cost can often be a barrier to participation, so we are delighted that we are able to make these classes free to access, thanks to support from Vision Foundation".

Martin Symcox, CEO of Metro Blind Sport said: "Blind and partially sighted people face barriers in taking part in physical activity and engaging in social activities. Within the visually impaired community there are certain groups who can face a "double disadvantage". Dance Dosti aims to empower people that face greater exclusion by providing accessible dance and supporting the transition from home to community-based activity."

Dance Dosti will monitor the impact of dance on a range of measures including mental and physical health, confidence, friendships, and independence. Learning from the programme will inform the development of more diverse, inclusive opportunities to be creative and active.

To register for Dance Dosti classes in Ealing call: 07462 895461 or email: [email protected]

Starts Saturday 2nd October, 2-3pm.