AVIVA Crowdfunder
By Lydia Tuakli-Munro
THE DLAM FAM
We are a Community Interest Company that started out teaching Dance Like a Mother CIC (DLAM) Babywearing Dance classes in 2016.
COVID-19 has dramatically impacted us as a CIC. Our community and those we reach out to are also feeling the brunt of COVID and in turn it is impacting our income and our ability to truly support vulnerable in our local communities who we would benefit.
E.g
Low- income families
BAME communities
Families with low Maternal and Paternal Mental Health
Parents feeling isolated
Families who wish to ease their way in to better physical wellbeing
We have been selected by AVIVA Crowdfunder to raise money to continue running our business in an ‘All or Nothing’ fundraiser by 23rd March 2021.
Funds raised will enable us to keep running classes during the current challenging circumstances, support the wider community, to pursue our business development and begin building the foundation of our environmental sustainability ideals.
(Babywearing Dad Matters event, MCR Day Performance, Dance Fit, Kids Ballet & Babywearing with Twins)
Classes
We provide a variety of classes and groups and recordings to encourage accessible movement for all during different stages of life.
Workshops
We also provide free and pay as you feel workshops run by professionals in a manner of fields.
Community Action
Lastly but most importantly we provide a community to empower those who attend our groups.
We welcome and include all
Collaborate with local and nationwide CICs, Charities and Influencers
Run events and socials
Highlight current events and bring to light important topics e.g. Maternal Mental Heath Week
Participate in local festivals by performing
Engage in protests where we feel it strongly fits in with our ethos
(Mother Pukka Flex Appeal Protest)
The impact we have:-
Reduce Social Isolation - The classes are for parents/carers and carried out in a way which encourages relationships and a ‘non-clique’, welcoming environment. 86% of current attendees have made friends through attending class.
Increase Physical Activity - The class is suitable for all fitness and dance abilities, with a strong focus on having fun, rather than losing weight etc. Studies have shown increased activity in Mums, leads to increased activity in their children. Locally, Salford currently has the highest rate of Childhood obesity in the UK. 92 % of current attendees report having more energy after attending class and 93% have become more active in daily life.
Increase Self Confidence - We provide Mums with confidence, better body image and feelings of well-being. An opportunity to be themselves...not just “Baby’s” Mum. We take part in regular performances (e.g Manchester Day) which are a great opportunity to achieve something outside their comfort zone and build confidence and connectivity.
Improved happiness and wellbeing - Dancing is proven to release hormones that lower stress levels and increase sense of wellbeing. 97% say they feel happier after class and 100% report feeling more mindful in class.
Increasing bond between Parent & Baby - Time for face to face interaction, held close to increase oxytocin and attachment (which also improves Breastfeeding Rates).
-----The transformation we see happen, is:----
This has been a huge benefit to our attendees mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and adds structure to the day.
COVID-19 has hugely impacted the way our business is run and has put a pin in plans we had to expand and projects we wished to run.
Customers
Surveys in our Manchester e-community have shown there is a demand for classes and groups to continue but also shown that attendees are currently unable to afford the full rate for classes. This leads to low bookings and cancellations of classes a loss of earning for the Instructors and isolation feelings of loneliness for attendees.
Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected BAME communities. It has left many people in Manchester unemployed or heavily relying on Universal Credit leading to feeling isolated. One large COVID-19 study found <35% of people struggling with isolation and loneliness having a huge psychological impact.
Our classes are very gentle and accessible for all fitness abilities. We work closely with health professionals such as Midwives, Doctors, Psychologists and Physiotherapists etc to ensure we are accessible and appropriate. We have people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and abilities access our classes who have been greatly impacted by the huge benefits.
We know there is much more we can do to support those in BAME communities and would love to widen our impact in those areas.
Staff training and business development
There are currently 7 women who attended classes who have gone on to train and join the team as Instructors. Some have also completed Babywearing Consultancy courses/ and almost all are Peer Supporters and with two becoming Co-Directors as well, creating a core team of three Directors who now lead DLAM (Dance Like A Mother).
We have regularly monthly meetings with our ‘DLAM Community” attendees who represent how diverse Manchester is) in person or via Zoom (due to Covid restrictions). We use surveys to assess many aspects of our CIC such as where the demand is and what is preventing people accessing our groups. We encourage all feedback in order to learn from and develop our community further.
Ideally all Instructors will have Babywearing peer supporter training and all Directors would be Consultants. We were working with an excellent Business Coach to help us sustain the business and continue to have a social impact on families around Manchester and were beginning to branch out nationally however current circumstances have meant funds for this have been spent on keeping the business afloat.
Environmental impact
Cloth Nappy starter
It is a crucial part of our ethos that we promote Environmental stability. The majority of our attendees are parents with young children and babies. Cloth nappies are much more environmentally-friendly and a cost effective alternative to disposable nappies.We had plans to start a cloth nappy library and help support families from deprives backgrounds access this sustainable commodity.
Our vision is to:
- Continue providing a welcoming community and support that has a vital impact on physical and mental wellbeing of all those who we encounter.
-Widen our reach and impact to more people from diverse racial, socio-economic backgrounds and those in our local LGBTQ+ communities.
-Begin a cloth nappy library
Any funds raised will be used to enable us to continue running during the current challenging circumstances and advance the positive influence we have on the lives of the families that we support now and in the future.
Thank you so much for supporting us and helping us support our beloved community,
xxx