Campaign aims to get 100,000 more active through dance
The Department of Health’s ‘Dance Champions’ Group, will embark on a nationwide tour to get the country dancing, Public Health Minister Gillian Merron will announce today.
Dance stars including Arlene Phillips, former Come Dancing presenter Angela Rippon, Capital Radio’s Lisa Snowdon and Strictly Come Dancing pro Darren Bennett will today join Health Minister Gillian Merron and Dance Champions Chair Rod Aldridge, to launch their campaign to get 100,000 people more active through dance in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Dance Champions Campaign, part of Dance4Life, will see the Dance Champions Group:
- travel the length and breadth of the country to host free mass-participation ‘dance-celebration’ events in each region. The events will encourage people new to dance and those who used to enjoy dancing when they were younger to get involved and get active;
- offer free taster dance sessions for people who aren’t very active and provide people with information about how they can get more involved in dance locally;
- create the first ever dance directory website, providing a one-stop-shop to let people know how they can get dancing;
- stage a Dance Summit to bring together national organisations involved in all types of dance and rally them behind the common goal of getting the nation active through dance. The champions will work with dance organisations to get a clearer picture of how the work of the dance sector can be co-ordinated to help get the population more active.
Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron said:
“Our Dance Champions are some of the best known and leading talents of the dance world, but you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy dancing and feel the positive effect it can have on your health.
“People of all ages and abilities can get active to music and have a lot of fun too.
“The Chief Medical Officer recommends that adults do 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week, but over 27 million of us don’t manage it. With the leadership of the dance champions, we want to capture the national enthusiasm for dance and get at least 100,000 more adults active through dance in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.
“The Dance Champions will help to make the Government’s Dance4Life campaign ‘come to life’ for many people across the country”
Dance Champion, Arlene Phillips said:
"We want to start a revolution to get the nation on their feet and onto the dance floor!"
"Dancing is a great way to get fit and healthy and the Dance Champions want to get everyone involved. It doesn't matter whether you're young or old or if you've never danced before - we'll be touring the country to give everyone a chance to get dancing."
Rod Aldridge, Chair of the Dance Champions Group and of the Aldridge Foundation, said:
“Dance is one of the best ways to get people of all ages on their feet and fit. So whether you’re fifteen or fifty, Dance Champions will offer you enjoyable ways to try all forms of dance.
“The Dance Champions tour is an incredible initiative backed by dance experts and celebrity ambassadors who’ll be bringing dance opportunities to your door”.
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