‘Everybody Dance Now’ is the new all-inclusive dance-based fitness class for those with a disability, catering to all abilities and fitness levels.
Hutt City Council’s Active in the Hutt team launched the class three weeks ago with support from Sport NZ’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund. The fund supports initiatives delivering play, active recreation and sport experiences for groups who are more at risk of missing out or being less active, including those living with a disability.
Using the power of movement and music, the class is taken through a 45 minute structured session with easy to follow directions led by instructor Haidee Clark.
Haidee says “I have the best job. I love it how everyone just gets involved. It is so fulfilling to be up the front taking the class and feeling the energy in the room plus the huge amount of participation. You get this real sense that you are helping make a positive impact on that person’s life, and doing something that makes them immediately happy”.
Moera community hall is transformed into a dance space and becomes a place with a huge heart.
Parents and carers join in with the music as the Village People’s YMCA plays on the stereo the voice of song is captured in the room and the amount of joy is contagious.
Active in the Hutt Senior Recreation Programmer Tara Fevre says “Being here, it’s hard not to smile. On a Thursday morning there is a full on dance party underway. The response we have had to classes has been amazing and it really demonstrates the need for accessible physical activity options”.
Callum is an expressive dancer with a smile from ear to ear and tells us “I just love coming and dancing to the music. I love it. It is so much fun. I love dancing. I love it”.
Monique says “It’s awesome, I really enjoy coming along. The music is good and I get to see my friends”.
At the end of each class, time and space is provided for connecting. Participants are not only improving their health in the form of low impact exercise, but ‘Everybody Dance Now’ provides a social platform which positively impacts our families and the wider community.
Everybody Dance Now classes run every Thursday morning, 10am at Moera Hall. New participants are welcome to join and are encouraged to register by filling the form.
