JOIN THE DANCE: Thousands of youngsters wanted

The project calls on 75,000 young people aged 16-25 in West Sussex to take part and make a difference in their area.

The start of moving Voices coincides with National Volunteers' week, which takes place between June 1 and 7 and is the UK's annual celebration of the work volunteers do.

Delivered by South East Dance and funded by v, the national youth volunteering organisation, the three-year project offers young people a wide range of opportunities, from running dance committees and planning and delivering dance activities, to teaching dance to the people in their communities.

Ali Weaver, 19, said: "Its amazing that young people will have control and responsibility.

"Getting to volunteer within the arts is exactly what a lot of young people want and it breaks the stereotype of what volunteering is about.

"It gives young people hope as it's not all about being academic. We can focus on the things that we're passionate about."

South East Dance is keen to encourage young people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and young parents to get involved in the project.

Kyla Lucking, head of community and learning at South East Dance, said: "This project is unique, as the young people will take full ownership of the projects, which will in turn help to promote confidence and pride in their communities.

"They will be developing sustainable projects which will hopefully continue long after moving Voices has finished."

As well as benefitting the wider community through increased contribution by young people, the project is intended to be fun, enjoyable and to promote healthy activities.

Terry Ryall, v's chief executive, said: "v is delighted to be able to fund this innovative and youth-led project, which will enable young people to get positively involved in the south east.

"Young people are at the heart of this new programme, which aims to put them at the centre of our communities.

"Instead of seeing them as a problem to be fixed, we are giving them the chance to become a positive force for change."

moving Voices aims to recruit 3,218 young volunteers aged 16- 25 from across the whole of the south east to lead dance-inspired projects.

To register your interest in this project, please visit the website by clicking here or contact Amanda Evans, moving Voices co-ordinator at South East Dance: [email protected]

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