8 October 2024
Developed by Michelle Clark at Happy Me Dance, Project Wave was awarded the ISTD Broadening Access to Dance Award in 2023. Now, close to a year later, Michelle answered a few questions for us on the success of the project.
Can you tell us a little about the project funded by the Broadening Access to Dance Award?
In June 2022, Michelle graduated as Movement in Practice Facilitator following her study with Dance and Science guru Dr Peter Lovatt -author of The Dance Cure and in January 2024, qualified as a Move Assure coach. Michelle’s initiative, Project Wave which was born from her studies at the Movement in Practice Academy focuses on developing transformative dance programmes which have a strong focus on inclusivity, diversity and equality for bespoke groups. Holding a full ISTD membership, Michelle was delighted when Happy Me Dance were awarded the Broadening Access to Dance Award in January 2024 to set up a social Down’s Syndrome Dance Group in Langton Green, Kent for Clara Wheatley and her friends. In March 2024, Baroness Monckton MBE, Patron of Project Wave spoke of her wholehearted support for the development and legacy for Project Wave to spread its outreach to support further bespoke groups nationally and to continue to raise awareness for the inclusive properties of dance in social, community, commercial and educational settings.
What have been your biggest successes in the project?
The biggest successes with the project were the interest and support from the local Langton community, from LGCSA, from Speldhurst Parish Council and from the Community Hub. All organisations offering support have aligned values with Happy Me Dance and with Project Wave and the Pavilion environment provides a perfect hub for the classes to take place which is in the centre of the village.
What were the biggest challenges in setting up your project?
Our biggest challenges were hoping that we would meet the brief and expectation to provide a class that everyone would enjoy and want to be a part of. It has been so warmly embraced by the families, we need not have worried at all and we have devised a class which provides structure, technique, fitness along with room for individuality and self- expression and end of term gatherings, discos to provide the social element with collaborative opportunities with other companies and organisations.
How have participants responded to the project?
Participants have responded to the project with absolute joy and commitment. We have become a tight family unit and there is a strong sense of identity, purpose and belonging which is very special indeed. We are delighted to be supported by Speldhurst Parish Council who continue to provide funding support for the venue and by LGCSA who are sponsors of our work.
Has there been any media interest in Project Wave?
There has been media interest in our work from BBC Radio Kent who are supportive of the company and local press, ‘Langton life’ who have reported on the project. We welcome further media to get involved and our Patron Baroness Monckton MBE is keen to see the ISTD report on the benefits of the Project Wave work that HMD are providing for bespoke groups within the community. Michelle had the opportunity to present and speak about the Project Wave work at STEP 24 the first Movement in Practice Academy conference hosted by Dr Peter Lovatt and Lindsey Lovatt at the Arts University Bournemouth in March 24.
Have there been any unexpected benefits/outcomes?
Unexpected benefits or outcomes are how we have managed to raise the profile of bespoke groups. People are happy to get in touch. People attending our classes feel a sense of trust and authenticity and are open to talk about chronic illness or personal challenges that they face and get in touch to take part and join the dance and movement family. Relatives contact us to find or design dance activity for family members who have varying needs. It is a wonderful thing to know that we are building a fully inclusive community to bring a sense of fun and lightness where previously there have been barriers.
What are your future plans/ambitions for the project?
Our future ambitions are to build a legacy for Project Wave and to offer bespoke projects and collaborative opportunities nationally with increased funding and financial support from leading organisations and government/ National lottery funding.
Founder of Happy Me Dance – Michelle Clark
Michelle Clark, is an Educator, Consultant, Practitioner and Creative Director. She is a ‘passionista for dance’ and an ‘advocate for transformational dance.’
In January 2019, Michelle founded the inclusive dance and wellness company, Happy Me Dance which is based in the South East teaching children and adults of all ages and abilities with the mission to offer dance classes to energise, strengthen and inspire the body, mind and spirit. With a focus on connection and wellbeing, Happy Me Dance seeks to inspire everyone to feel good, feel valued and feel in control to lead happier and healthier lives through dance.
