Many people put keeping fit at the top of their list, and the Waterworks Jazz Club plans to do just that. A grant of £7,010 will help the group bring in more people to the club by offering dance lessons. They want to promote dance as a social way to keep fit at the same time as encouraging more people of a wide age range to become members of the club.
Anthea Jackson, Secretary and Project Manager, said: “We celebrate our 40th year next year and wanted to attract younger people to help perpetuate the club for another 40 years. We’re unusual in that as well as having live jazz bands, we also dance to the music – swing and Dixie is made for jiving and rock ‘n’ roll.
“We thought the best way to attract people would be by offering dance classes in the New Year so there’s no excuse not to join. The grant will allow us to hold a dance class once a month before the band start playing, giving people the option to stay on if they wish. It’s a great way to keep fit as well as being very sociable – we get quite a lot of single people coming who feel they can dance in a safe and welcoming environment. With new blood, it will be an intergenerational activity, with all the benefits that brings.
“Physical fitness improves health and wellbeing - in fact, many people tell me what we offer ought to be available on the NHS! As well as giving people a sociable way of keeping fit whatever your age and ability, it’s a very supportive club and reduces the sense of isolation some people can feel.”
The club is holding its Christmas party on 19 December, which is a good opportunity for potential new members to try the club.
Funding has come from the lotteries Awards for All programme, which wants to help communities consider how fudning could help community resoltuions get off the ground!
A total of £472,621 has distributed to 63 groups across the region in this latest round of awards
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