Why Are We Offering FREE Funded Spaces?
When I started teaching Babywearing Dance 5 years ago, I had very little expectation of what might happen. I just knew that I wanted to go to classes and groups where I would be treated as Nikki and not just a mum, which was both wonderful but exhausting and all consuming.
The feeling of freedom and joy was no longer part of my life and many of my friends didn’t have babies or just weren't around anymore, leaving me feeling isolated and alone . Being at the beck and call of my daughter 24/7 and feeling too exhausted to consider going to a dance or fitness class which was something I had taught 4 times a week before having her was just not possible. And that was without considering the whole breastfeeding thing.
So these classes were really for me as much as anyone else! It was a great chance to meet other women, have fun, all while holding my 5 month old daughter close to me. It was both joyful and liberating, but it wasn’t until I started to hear women's stories that I realised it was actually having an impact on us all and on so many levels. I saw women overcoming postnatal depression, women feeling more confident in their bodies and new identities as mums, and women connecting with other like-minded women.
5 years on we are a Community Interest Company, which for those of you who don’t know is basically a business that has the community it serves at the heart of everything it does. This started out as a mum community and over the years has come to include dads, grans, siblings and all women.
“It doesn't matter how old you are, they take care of you! The women who run this amazing CIC go above & beyond to make sure that everyone who becomes a part of the family is okay. You aren't just a face on a screen” - Melinda & her daughter Matilda
We wanted to become a CIC so we could reach out to those parents who might not ordinarily attend our classes. Whether that be about finance, gender or personal impressions of babywearing and not feeling they “fit into that box”....by the way...let's just do away with labeling mums while we're on the subject!
What is our funding for & who can access it?
This last year has seen us impacted as mums more than ever, and as we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel we want to be able to bring women together, without boxes and in a way that makes them accessible for all. So we have something very exciting launching this Friday...stay tuned for details!
If you have considered coming to class and though “I don’t think it's for me” this is your chance to get a feel for what we do and if you are finding finances a struggle (we get it!) we want you to be able to come regardless. This is a relaxed, welcoming and joyful space for you.
With the amazing generosity of you (our DLAM Fam), your friends, family and businesses though our AVIVA Fund and The National Lottery we are able to bring mums & parents together, who are desperately in need of connection, community and joy right now.
We will also have free funded spaces available in ALL our classes both Dance Like a Mother face to face, online and all our online adult classes.
Please use these spaces, as this is why we do what we do.
If you would like to access our funding please follow the link and Lydia, our wellbeing lead will be in touch.
Funding — The DLAM Fam (dancelikeamother.com)
We cant wait to be with you again in real life soon, and we will remain online as long as you want us to to keep bringing connection, joy and community.