#WeMove

Impact statements from our dancers

Can you say a little about ways you have worked with or been supported by Impelo and what kind of projects and programmes you have been involved with.

I have been involved in / with Impelo and its previous lives as Footloose and Powys Dance for over 30 years. New to the area, I began as a participant in a fabulous performance group with Footloose. I had done many years of ballet and contemporary dance but had never met Creative dance - it literally changed my life.

Impelo has been there from the very beginning of my dance journey.. when I first accessed dance classes at the age of 7 in Brecon. I was also involved in their intensive dance workshops over the school holidays, where I was really able to hone my skills and had lots of opportunities to try different dance styles, meet dancers from all over Powys and to perform. Without this, I would not have had the basic training in contemporary dance that got me through auditions for my degree.
After graduating, I was unsure if I'd be pursuing dance as a career - I didn't see how I could continue in Wales and had given up on the idea of performing. That's when I saw Impelo's dancer callout for CELL - which was my first performing contract after graduating. I loved the way they used dance to be curious about the body, science and the world.. and their model for dance in education makes so much sense in the rural community we live in.. I can remember being inspired by similar touring educational shows at school when I was a child and do not doubt these will have sparked my interest in the Arts and made me believe a career in the Arts was viable - and that this could look very different to a typical performing career.
The rest is history, as I've been involved in their regular programme of classes, schools projects, dance and dementia work, teacher-training, arts and health classes and projects and then my first salaried job in dance as Assistant Producer, where I've been able to support freelancers in their journey and produce my own project - from application through to delivery and evaluation. I know I would never have had the confidence to produce work in this scale without their support and I do believe I owe a lot of my success to Impelo - I just want as many other Artists as possible to benefit the same way I (and many others) have.

I have been working with Impelo for the last 6-7 years teaching mainly on the adult courses - Ballet, Tap and Do Your Thing (over 50’s fitness and dance). I have also worked on the Cinetig project in 3 different primary schools and Dementia Matters.

I have worked with Impelo in various ways since summer 2021, and since this time they have been a truly wonderful organisation to work with and have been incredibly supportive. I've always felt so much care, and really valued as an artist and whole human every time I have been with the folks at Impelo. They also gave me a huge amount of hope that it is possible to not only survive, but thrive as a freelance dance artist outside of the city, something deeply important to me as someone who grew up in rural Wales. The Hatch programme they organised was an experience I will never forget - the project really nurtured the artists involved, built meaningful and trusting relationships between artists I am now working with today as a result of that time spent together.
On many occasions, Impelo have offered support in kind through studio space, mentoring, project support, and connection with an ongoing network of freelancers sharing skills and experiences as part of Y Nyth. They have also opened up so many opportunities through funding artists to attend training opportunities.
As one of the Glanio collective, who's projects have emerged in partnership with Impelo, I can wholeheartedly say this project would have never been possible without the support of Impelo.

Being one of the freelancers associate dancers for Impelo I teach mainly in Schools and outreach programs. Because I live close by the dance centre, I am also able to cover regular dance sessions there at short notice.
I have also created my own work using the support and studio space through their Y Nyth project.

Regular programme - sessions with adults with learning differences - which I have been with for 14 years and keeps going from strength to strength. Regular sessions with Dementia - where we have become an integral part of their programming.
MIND - where Impelo is the only regular fixture in their diary ( at participants request). And lots of other work over the last 30 years or so!

Impelo has supported my Ballet teaching tremendously as I run the weekly Ballet Classes for ages 3-12. I have also been apart of the BACH Project this year working with Early Years and this has been invaluable knowledge and growth. I have gained so much from this project.

Can you say a bit about how your practice/ career in Powys has benefited from Impelo's work.

Having started as a participant with Footloose in 1990, I was introduced to Labans philosophy and work - and later with Powys Dance I was offered the opportunity to retrain as a Community Dance Leader. As it was part time, and I by this time had two very young children I grasped that opportunity with both hands!! I subsequently became a tutor for Powys Dance taking groups for. babies and toddlers, 4 to 7's, 8 to 11's, 12 upwards and adults. I also went on to become a tutor for the Laban Guild, training others to become dance leaders themselves. From there I secured a post teaching dance to 11 - 16yrs at Ludlow School. I did this for 5 years, successfully introducing GCSE Dance. I then became manager of Powys Dance for 7 years during which time we secured an uplift in funding, offering a wide variety of dance opportunities to an wide diversity of groups all over Powys - no mean feat for a County covering just about a third of Wales. The number of people that have experienced dance is huge - I wish I could remember our participation numbers! But more than that I was by far and away not the only person whose life and career choices have been directly affected by Powys Dance/Impelo.
I recently bumped into a young man who was a member of my 12-16 group in Knighton many years ago. I discovered that although he hadn't gone into dancing, during the DanceFests that he took part in he had become fascinated by the tech work - he is now the Lighting and Sound Technician for No Fit State Circus' I know of two freelance dancers with Impelo who came through the classes with Powys Dance - there are so many more. Now as an ageing dancer with 2 well earned artificial knees I am a support worker with the the Impelo tutor who takes the Dementia Matters group, and also with a privately run group, Strictly Parkinsons, funded by Parkinsons UK that meet on a weekly basis. And I am still a participant! NONE of this would have happened without the presence of Community Dance.

There's a bleak outlook ahead. Through working with Impelo, I've been able to get involved in a broad spectrum of projects - where I've really been able to see the versatility and impact of dance for EVERYbody. Their programme of work is so varied, it makes you really redefine dance as a practice. It's a tool for education, a platform for connection, a form of physical exercise... and what Impelo does brilliantly is always bring the JOY and fun.

Before working with Impelo, my main teaching experience was ballet and Pilates. I had done a short shadowing placement elsewhere, but that hadn't been enough to embed the skills in my practice and I therefore didn't feel confident in taking on classes of my own. Impelo provided opportunities to shadow and team-teach so that this transition was so much easier. I took every opportunity that arose then, as I knew I'd get the support to build the confidence I needed in that area. I have attended so many training events in a variety of areas such - CPD in safe dance practice, dance for people living with Parkinsons, dance in Education and Project Management, among many others. My work with Impelo was initially the only area where I was able to utilise my Welsh language skills - from there my confidence has grown enough to apply for specific Welsh Artist Callouts that have honestly changed my life. I feel so lucky to be able to work in Wales and use dance as a way of embedding the language - for myself and the participants I work with. My interest in dance in education has been nourished through projects such as CELL, Cinetig, Digital Cinetig and the Teacher Training work we do for Bach a Iach. I had no idea how many opportunities would arise just within this one bracket. Arts and Health is another area I had been interested in, but had not thought it was going to be such a huge part of my practice over time. This work feels so important for where we live and has taught me the importance of being responsive to your community, working in a person-centred way and facilitating sessions so that participants can lead the way.

Working with Impelo has enabled me to extend my teaching career beyond the normal retirement age. Impelo has also enabled me to widen my practice by working on Cinetig and Dementia Matters programmes. I have been given the opportunity to pursue dance genres that interest me - Bollywood and Jazz Dance and develop them into workshops to be enjoyed by all ages.

It has only existed because of Impelo, without them I would have never started working in Powys, or gained hope that it could be possible to sustain a career as a dance artist in Powys. My creative practice has been massively supported by Impelo, projects interweaving choreographic processes, performance, community workshops, nature connection, climate justice, and all the logistics needed to make all of this possible. None of this would have happened, and I would likely have never had the opportunity or belief in myself to pursue such projects.

Impelo is central to my dance career and also annual income, with around a quarter of my income coming from work with Impelo. They have also helped provide and gain access to CPD for me as a Freelancer, which has been invaluable for me as I'm in the process of setting up a company that includes dance and movement as its core principles for both professional and community dance settings. This would not have been possible with out the help both financially and through mentoring during the Y Nyth project especially during the Lockdowns 2020-21. Where I was given the opportunity to research and develop an idea, which has ultimately lead to the formation of my fledgling company. Another great thing about Impelo is the access to professional standard classes through their Freelancer Friday program something which is not available anywhere else near by, I believe I'd either have to travel east out of Wales or a 180 mile round trip to South Wales to access a professional class without this. I've had the opportunity to use the studio to work with other Freelancer dancers where great professional relationships and personal friendships have developed.

Impelo is the backbone of my work - the work behind the scenes that is impossible to put a value on. It would be so easy to feel isolated as a freelancer in this large rural county. Without Impelo it would be impossible to carry on the work I do. The work I does not cater for the masses (which we don't have here) - it tends to be carried out with a colleague - and without the structure and financial support of Impelo this work will not be viable as freelancers and those that need this the most will be devastating. My career not only in dance but, outside of my dance practice has majorly benefited from being affiliated to Impelo, as it has allowed me to grow in the local community. It has also allowed me to meet up with an array of dance practitioners, which I'd otherwise not have.

Is there anything different about how Impelo works with you as a freelancer in comparison to other dance/arts organisations?

I've worked for three other dance organisations on a Freelance basis - and in comparison, my experience with Impelo has been far more supportive and nurturing. They have really invested in my development and kept in touch through the pandemic - more than that, did everything they could to keep myself (and other Freelancers) working AND progressing in my career through that difficult time. It actually felt like I had more work opportunities than before, and I was able to get support in those areas that were new to me, through training and shadowing. Impelo's communication is also much better, they keep Freelancers in the loop about what's going on/what they could be involved in/training offers, whereas with other organisations I work for, the only contact I have is for the specific work I do with them.. which is much more sporadic and I don't get a sense of them as a company, or what they stand for. Working as a freelancer can be very isolating but Impelo ensure that there are many opportunities to connect with other Freelancers working with them. There are regular opportunities to get together to discuss ongoing and future projects but iImpelo also facilitates an opportunity to connect and feel you are part of a family of freelancers who are supportive and supported and interested in each others work within and outside Impelo.

I've always felt incredibly welcome, and valued as a whole human, and the care that Impelo holds for the freelancers they work with feels really embedded within the ethos of the team. This is something that is embodied within daily processes and interactions, not only voiced, and this has not often been the case in such a holistic way in many arts spaces I have worked in. I have always felt that communication has been transparent, clear and as a result I have felt really calm and assured moving into projects with them. They also really actively listen to the needs, interests and values of the freelancers they work with, and this is not the case in many work spaces, and seeing that their is tangible actions and shifts taken in response to this gives me so much appreciation and admiration for the team. Impelo have supported me in a really transformative way, which I can never express enough gratitude for. just in the past 6 months, their support has created opportunities for many local artists to work within their community, nurturing meaningful connections with local people and evidencing again and again the incredible power and need for community dance to be thriving in rural areas.

I am a freelance Dancer who has lived in and around Rhayader for 8 years, approximately 15 miles away from the Dance Centre in Llandrindod. This is in rural terms very local. When I moved here I'd given up on dance completely after 13 years in the business, in part due to A.C.E cutting funding to 5 NPO status (as it was called back then) or level similar organisations, that I had worked for over the years. I was very reluctant to have a meeting with Amanda the (then) Artistic Director when I moved here because of the negative feelings I felt for dance, however I'm very glad I did back then as it reignited my passion which has grown even more since the General Manager Suzy and current Artistic Director Jemma took over the leadership of the organisation. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and each year they have absolutely strived to work with its staff, freelancers and the community in Mid Wales, to make dance accessable to all. I literally owe my falling love with dance again solely to Impelo, and the hard work they are doing to improve conditions for workers in what can be at times an incredibly toxic culture.
Being a dancer who identifes himself as black and neurodiverse, I have never felt like the inclusive nature of Impelo is performative, as has been the case in some other organisations in Wales and across the UK to obtain better funding opportunities. I have always felt valued as a member of the team, accepted for my idiosyncrasies and supported especially during my period of having a nervous breakdown.

ACW should be supporting an organisation like Impelo and using it as a benchmark for other organisations.

I have nothing to compare it with as I've been here so long - however I can't even begin to quantify the support that Impelo gives to its freelancers. Supporting existing work. Encouraging us to bring our creative ideas out and hearing our needs. Bringing freelancers together. Exploring new areas and providing or linking to CPD. And they are always there and always an open door - as a freelancer I don't just rock up and deliver my sessions - its not just an agency providing work - oh no - I'm part of Impelo - this is organisation is my dance family .Impelo is part of the fabric of Powys and has been going from strength to strength (not even mentioning the support for freelancers over lockdown). And without it......YES!

Impelo values me as a person and the management team are always willing to listen to concerns as well as, any creative ideas I might have. The Impelo team as supported me in so many ways, I feel this is very unique and I feel I would not get this support at any other organisation.

Is there anything else you would like to say about Impelo's loss of Arts Council revenue funding?

It seems that Dance and particularly Community Dance in Wales has been handed the CInderella role. Yes it is difficult and costly to provide dance/arts coverage in such a rural landscape, but the needs of the people are even greater. There is a huge occurrence of poverty in a rural area. Isolation presents an enormous problem. Its a wonderful place to live, to bring up children, to work and to grow old in - but not so beautiful and life affirming if it becomes a cultural wasteland. This is heartbreaking loss for the community.

On a personal level, this loss of income means I cannot go through with buying a house in my hometown (something I never thought would be possible until working for Impelo). It also pushes me towards leaving rural Wales for either a city, like Cardiff, or England - where I would not be able to utilise my Welsh language skills. This is devastating for myself, but I know I'm not the only one... and if everyone does the same, where does that leave dance in Wales? Particularly rural Wales where our dance audience does not necessarily access dance through the 'traditional' routes. This terrifies me, as we are so disconnected already. On a wider level, my heart breaks for the participants... seeing what dance can do for people is the most rewarding part of our job as dance practitioners - I cannot bear to think that this joy could be cut completely from their lives, particularly those who are most vulnerable. During the pandemic, we were told our services were a 'lifeline' to so many participants. We must not let that lifeline be cut.

Impelo serves huge area of rural Wales with a wide range of activities for all ages. Without Impelo many people would not be able to access fitness or dance. It must be remembered that it is not just the physical activity that is important but also the social interaction. Some of my students are elderly and come to the classes to help maintain their fitness but also enjoy socialising with each other over coffee after class. Many friendships have been forged through these classes that are just as important as the class itself. My students are very worried about how they will be able to access dance and fitness in the future now Impelo has lost this funding.

I very strongly opposed the Arts Council's decision. It's absolutely devastating, infuriating and it's hard to express the sheer amount of sadness held and the deep loss this is. I'm hopeful that alternative funding streams can be secured, as there are so many people who believe in and ADORE Impelo's powerful, transformative work, and we will do whatever we can to support ways for Impelo to continue to exist and thrive.

If ACW could actually see the work happening on the ground, I couldn't imagine a world in which they could cut such essential funding for a truly caring, welcoming, ambitious, nurturing organisation.

Impelo has strived to work with the whole community of Powys, it as an organisation has an understanding of life in Mid Wales and the needs of it's population. I would like to draw attention to the vulnerable people including elderly and people with disabilities who have attended sessions with Impelo. In a rural area like this it is a lifeline to these people who are very isolated because of the distance between villages and farms. that simply could not be understood by a centralised organisation especially if this is being done by people who live in a city. which is my perception of how dance will be run in Wales after this year's Investment Review.

Lastly just last night I took my 7 son who until recently has hardly shown any interest in dance, to a class, his friend asked to join us and they are both hooked. A neighbours 13 year old daughters who is homeschooled, due to difficulties in a school setting, attended a performance of Glanio was so inspired by one of the dancers that she overcame her shyness spoke to the dancer and is now also attending the weekly youth company classes. These are just 2 examples of kids who live on farms where it is difficult to organise social interactions, who may loose something they love just as they have found it.

The cuts to Impelo's finding, across other arts organisations in Powys and Welsh Dance in general seems very short sighted. The effect it will have on other dance, freelancers and the vast and varied numbers of participants and organizations is beyond words. The benefits that the work Impelo does goes above and beyond. In a rural county where amenities are so limited and isolation and mental health issues are rife - socialising and physical benefits. The list is endless.....Impelo really is community dance at its best...its part of the fabric of Powys.I am deeply devastated by this decision, Impelo has done so much for the Powys community, a community that desperately needs the arts. Impelo's various projects, workshops and regular classes have had a HUGE impact on the local community. It's organisations like Impelo that need to be funded because of the impact they are and have had on the community.