Urban Strides
Case Study

​Partner Organisation: Urban Strides
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Programme Setting: Youth and Adult dance training 
Partnership Duration: Ongoing since 2020

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Overview

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Ignition Dance collaborated with Urban Strides to deliver Afro Fusion dance workshops within youth development and training programmes. The sessions introduced participants to Dancehall and Afro-diasporic Street dance styles, expanding their understanding of global Afrobeats and Jamaican dance culture while building confidence, creativity, and musicality.

The collaboration created an inclusive and welcoming environment where dancers from diverse backgrounds could explore new styles, develop performance skills, and deepen their cultural awareness through movement.

Urban Strides’ commitment to nurturing young dancers aligned strongly with Ignition Dance’s mission to deliver high quality culturally informed dance education.

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Participants

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Workshops typically engaged 80+ young and mature dancers throughout the workshop day, primarily consisting of emerging dancers participating in Urban Strides’ training adult and youth development programmes.

Participants represented a diverse mix of backgrounds and dance experiences, creating a dynamic environment where dancers could learn from one another while developing new skills

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Programme Delivery

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Ignition Dance delivered structured workshops focused on:

* Dancehall foundations and cultural context
* Musicality and rhythm training
* Movement confidence and performance energy
* Creative expression through freestyle and choreography

The sessions encouraged participants to explore new movement styles while maintaining respect for the cultural origins of the dances being taught.

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Measurable Impact

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Feedback from Urban Strides highlighted the strong quality of the programme delivery:

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* Professionalism of facilitators: Rated Excellent / Outstanding
* Safeguarding and wellbeing: Participants felt very confident that safeguarding and participant welfare were appropriately managed
* Inclusive environment: The workshops were reported to have created a safe, inclusive and respectful space for participants

These outcomes reflect Ignition Dance’s commitment to high standards of teaching, safeguarding, and participant engagement across all programmes.

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Continued Engagement in the Arts

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The programme encouraged participants to continue engaging with creative activities.

Following the programme, participants:

* Continued attending dance classes
* Became more involved in creative activities more generally
* Expressed interest in future arts opportunities

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Testimonial

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“Veronas passion and positivity is palpable. Her kind and warm approach had our students engaged with her from the first moment of the workshop to the last. Her subject knowledge and ability to convey the cultural and historical nuance with clarity and insight ensured the students were fully engaged throughout. Her dynamic dance ability inspired the students to bring out and express and truly explore their artistry in a safe, non- judgemental learning environment. Not only have we asked Verona back many times since, her commitment to education and self improvement has seen her workshops and teaching techniques continue to expand and improve consistently. Verona is a unique individual with so much humility and a lovely sense of humour, she ensures she talks her art very seriously but not herself and this grounded approach makes her adored by the students she teaches in our workshops. I would heartily recommend Verona, she is a shining light and and inspirational role model. She has had and continues to have a real and significant positive impact in the lives of our students. For that, we are ever grateful..”

Andy Instone - Creative Director
Urban Strides

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Partnership Value

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The collaboration between Ignition Dance and Urban Strides demonstrates the value of bringing African and Caribbean dance expertise into youth training environments. By introducing dancers to Dancehall and Afro-diasporic styles, the partnership broadens participants’ artistic vocabulary while celebrating global dance traditions.

The programme supports the continued development of emerging dancers and strengthens connections between community dance organisations across London.

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Future Collaboration

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Ignition Dance looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Urban Strides through future workshops, training sessions, and youth development programmes that expand access to culturally informed dance education.

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