The Ipswich based group welcomes all ages, genders and abilities
Anyone who hasn't had the confidence to dance before - now's your time. Believe is an all-inclusive group which welcomes students of all ages and abilities to take to the stage and express themselves through dance. You'll find people with Down's Syndrome, ADHD, autism, anxiety and wheelchair users, as well as mainstream students, ranging from six to 46 years old.
"Believe gives each and every student a confidence boost. It's wonderful to see how all the members come together to support each other, which helps them to grow individually and as a group," Rebecca Darcy, organiser of Believe says.
The positive environment at Believe is perfect for people who struggle emotionally or with their mental health. Rebecca says: "Everyone is understanding and supportive of each other's needs, and it's fantastic to see how the younger students learn from the older students, and vice versa."
Rebecca is the founder of the umbrella company Encore Theatrical Events, which is home to a number of dance classes. She comments: "At first, I didn't know whether having a dance class for a variety of different needs would work, but it's overwhelming to see how successful the group is and the strong bonds the members have formed."
For many of the young students, Believe is a safe space for them to gain independence, encouraging them to let go of their parent's hands.
"Students seem to take to the group like ducks to water, but one particular girl immediately springs to mind. She was very nervous about joining a new class but we slowly we started to see her confidence develop. Thanks to the support of the group, she has been able to perform a solo and express herself through dance. It's massively improved her mental health and she's made a lot of life-long friends in the process," Rebecca adds.
The musical theatre group covers everything from up-tempos songs to slow ballads, allowing dancers to express their emotions. Students can also have their input on dances, which helps to build their confidence and creativity, whilst fully enjoying and connecting with each piece.
The group meets every Saturday during term time at the Millennium Jubilee Hall, Kesgrave, for rehearsals. They have recently performed at the Valentine's Day Ball at Milsoms Hall, which consisted of a 15-minute love medley. The response they received was overwhelming, and they were met with a standing ovation.
They also auditioned for Britain's Got Talent, and although they narrowly missed out on making it to the live shows, they were thrilled out get a call asking them to audition again in the future.
If you or someone you know would like to have fun, make new friends and join a friendly dance group, contact Encore Theatrical Events on Facebook or visit encoretheatricalevents.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here