#WeMove
Impact statements from our participants
Has being involved with Impelo benefitted you?
If I was to sum-up in one word my involvement with Impelo, that word would be JOY. Whether it was taking part in the MOJO classes or participating in the Glanio and Epynt projects, I came away from them all with a huge sense of joy and happiness For someone who loves to dance, but has the proverbial 2 left feet, Impelo gave me the opportunity to express myself without worrying about whether what I was doing was " right". I felt totally comfortable within the group, totally supported and absolutely free to be me and left the classes and projects feeling empowered and uplifted.
As a first time mum, getting out of the house was daunting. My weekly session at Impelo has been amazing for both me and my daughter. The session is so well run, engaging, staff are knowledgable and the impact on my daughter’s confidence through the sensory aspect of the session has been huge.
Powys is a rural area and having a session like this close to home has been fantastic. The closest session similar to this would mean traveling 30+ miles. With a newborn it would not be feasible.We are looking forward to being able to access the 1 year old session, and would be extremely disappointed and upset if we would not have access to this provision.
When my children were small & they came yo dance classes after school, they learnt how to be creative & expressive with their bodies not their voices. They learnt to be part of a team & developed understanding different from what they learned in the classroom. As a parent I was able to access a support network amongst the other mums & some of the friendships made at Powys Dance as it was then endure to this day.Now as the parent of a grown up child with Learning Difficulties we are back at the dance centre on a weekly basis. For my adult child it is a safe fun non judgemental supportive space in which to express himself & again for my family it a place whete we can connect with others who have similar life experiences to ourselves & where we too can gain support & understanding.
When we first moved to Powys a few years ago Impelo gave us the community we so desperately needed.
My postnatal mental health wasn’t great and through baby music classes I gained lifelong friends and a support network for me and my children. My youngest was born during the covid pandemic, and Impelo was her first taste of group classes - it gave her confidence and was integral to her growth after being away from society for so long. For my eldest Impelo helped her settle in; it is absolutely essential to her social life and development those dance skills she has already dreamed about. Her classes are the highlight of her week; they bring more joy to her life that I can even express in words. Without Impelo dance classes would not be possible for us as the nearest other dance classes are an hours drive away.
Impelo is utterly essential to our community, our young peoples creative outlet and growth, and our friendships. Impelo has had a big impact on my family since having my daughter. She’s been to big fish little fish, little fish and ballet. Going to these classes over the years has helped her confidence and given her brilliant social skills as well as giving her a love of dance and music. It’s effortlessly given my daughter a desire to move her body which she would not have had had she not had the opportunity to go to these classes as it’s not a habit that is on my radar having not had these opportunities growing up. Taking her to these classes gave me a chance to socialise with other young mothers, got me out of the house and had me moving my body to dancing around with her. I’ve also taken classes from yoga to spicy dancing which have helped me have fun, exercise and socialise. Impelo is a vital hub in the community, bringing like minded people together from different backgrounds that have led to friendships outside of classes. My daughter will want to continue with her ballet but we would have to travel and hour to take her to a class which is unlikely to be feasible, which would be very sad. There are no other facilities like this that I know of nearby. As a young new mum it's helped me gain confidence, learn new skills and meet other mums
My daughter who is a 3 attends the ballet class and absolutely loves it. We live in Knighton Powys and this is the nearest ballet class which is 20 miles away….. she is thriving and will be devastated if it finishes.
At impelo my daughter is involved in a dance class and it has helped her grow her confidence as she can be very anxious and shy. She absolutely loves going to her dance class in impelo! Both my daughter's attend dance classes at Impelo. Both of them have a passion for dance and Impelo is the only place in the area that can provide this. My daughter's love going to Impelo each week, not only have they learnt skills as dancers, they have had the opportunity to make friends outside of their school peers. It has provided them with opportunities to increase their confidence, by performing at the yearly shows. Impelo makes you feel part of something. It is beneficial for physical and mental health and we are so local as a small rural community to have it. There is nothing to replace it locally and it would be a huge loss to both children and adults if it is unable to continue.
My daughter began classes at Impelo in September (aged 2). She had recently become an older sibling and I could tell she was struggling with this, becoming quite clingy and lacking in self confidence. I wanted to start something that was just for her and in just the second week, I couldn't believe the impact this had; the child that wouldn't leave my side and who asked me to speak for her in group settings ran off and danced, jumped, played with other children and had a new found confidence that I'd never seen. I honestly cannot believe how much she loves these classes and as soon as she enters the studio, it's like she becomes a different child and I'm so happy that I've found something that she thrives in.
We moved to Powys during the lockdown. It felt difficult for my family to start afresh somewhere new. At Impelo everyone is so accepting and friendly. My daughters had been to dance classes previously where to be honest it wasn’t much fun - it was about doing what the teacher wanted and passing exams. Impelo teaches dance, it builds confidence, the children share ideas and genuinely co-create with the teacher and their class. Over the last couple of years I became perimenopausal. It’s been a difficult time suddenly feeling less in control and genuinely really worrying about myself and my abilities; I have a very demanding professional career in the NHS and was really worried about being ‘found out’ and that I was bound to mess it all up any day. It took a lot of courage that first week, but I made myself go, and I continue to attend a weekly adult dance class. I went along feeling nervous and silly. The Impelo family is just welcoming and non-judgmental. People of all skills and ages come together to dance and to have a giggle. I can’t even begin to describe how important Impelo is for our community.
At my class, and at my children’s classes, I come across adults and children and families facing all sorts ot medical, social and personal difficulties in their day to day life. Impelo gives confidence and self-belief, Impelo inspires, Impelo provides a family and a community for so many at a time when life couldn’t be any harder and when we all feel so disconnected and overwhelmed. Impelo reach out to communities who have never had the opportunity to dance.
I realise times are so tough and budgets can only stretch so far. In health services we do not only calculate the costs and benefits of providing something, we also calculate the risks and costs of not providing a service. Impelo provides so much more than just dance. The opportunity for adults to connect with each other, and for children to grow and develop their self-confidence and resilience, is a preventative health and social intervention in itself. I really think the negative impact - and the resulting costs to people’s well-being and health - of taking projects like Impelo away from our community are far greater than we realise.
Have attended the baby groups at impelo. It is the best class around and as a first time mum I feel that the class has been massively beneficial to both myself and my son! It enabled me to get out in those early months when everything felt new and scary, it enabled me to meet other mums and learn new things to do with my baby. My son has had lots of fun at these classes and they are fab for a child’s development! I would not have got out as much if it wasn’t for this group. Also the classes they put on in the summer holidays are fab! There isn’t much else on in the area throughout school holidays.
I loved doing adult beginner tap lessons. It was so challenging that it used all of my focus and stopped me having the capacity to worry about work / life. Excellent for dealing with depression.
My eldest daughter loves the freedom of expression that dance gives her. She is very enthusiastic. She is excellent academically and it would be easy for her to focus only on this, by doing dance it broadens out her interests and allows her to switch off and do 'fun'.
My youngest is adopted and has lots of behavioural issues, she 'feels' music and loves dance, both modern and ballet. She doesn't appear to concentrate on lessons but loves being there. She is more focussed there than anywhere else.
My child attends ballet classes at Impelo, something she had wanted to do for a long time. She absolutely loves them, the teaching is great, the social aspect and meeting new friends from other schools is important too. Her confidence has grown both in her ballet and herself.
From my child attending classes I didn’t realise how much was on offer, for all age groups. I take my child to the baby dance classes and as a new mother I found that impelo saved me and my mental health. It got me out of the house, got my body moving, and helped me to make friends. It has helped my child to walk and interact with other adults and children. Babi bach was an absolutely fabulous sensory and movement class for me and my baby girl. Not only is Jemma so good at what she does but I felt so supported by her. The way she got us interacting together mum and baby as well as with other mothers and babies at the group. It was our favourite day of the week and I felt that me and my baby really bonded together in the sessions. The fact that any parent on any income can access these classes is so amazing and beneficial.
We have just moved to Builth and our daughter has tried out various dance classes in an attempt to find continuation from her ballet in Malvern. Having tried Impelo, a class in Llanelwedd and Brecon Mid-Wales, our daughter has just opted for Impelo. This is perfect for us as it's local and I think the passion and personal approach by staff played a big role in her choice. Some of her new-found friends dance there. We've only been there a few times but I can feel a real vibe of community and commitment by expert individuals to fostering creativity and dance - places like this are few and far between.
Attending two different classes at Impelo has not only helped to improve my fitness and physical health, but has also supported my mental well-being in facilitating contact with other people and a sense of achievement in my developing dance skills. Primarily the benefits of being involved with Impelo are for my learning-disabled daughter, a young woman with Downs Syndrome who loves to dance! However, I have also found the sessions extremely beneficial to my own mental and physical health and well-being and we both very much enjoy going. My daughter has regained some of the confidence she lost during the COVID lockdowns, she feels accepted and valued as a member of the group, her social skills have improved and Impelo provides meaningful, beneficial activities that she can access.
There are not many such activities on offer in Powys, and certainly very few in our local area that are easily accessible for us. We attend both the weekly dance class for adults with learning disabilities and the Hip-Hop yoga sessions, so if Impelo were to close this would have a significant negative impact on my daughter's health and well-being.
As a female in her mid 60's the importance of movement, expression & social interaction is more important to me now more than ever. And Impelo has been an important vehicle for providing physical & creative outlets for myself & like minded individuals in the Llandrindod/ Powys area.
Having previously lived just outside Cardiff, I am more than aware of the wealth of dance opportunities / experiences available on your doorstep. With the proposed withdrawal of funding to Impelo, the inequalities of rural living are being compounded & not addressed. Opportunities will now be taken away with no other alternatives available.It has helped me socialise with other people. It has helped me with my fitness and my mental health. It has given me enjoyment through my love of dance.I have been coming to the dance centre for over 20 years , my daughter and son have both gained confidence from doing various dance classes here and now I am heavily involved with many dance classes myself . We are an extremely rural community and having the dance centre so central is a huge benefit to many people who otherwise would become quite isolated.
The classes provided are varied and extremely well presented and attended and they provide something for everyone.
If this dance centre has to close its doors it will be more than just an empty building, people’s lives will be empty, their mental health will suffer and their worlds will shrink .Enjoyment, exercise and stimulating the brain.
We run the local breastfeeding group in Llandrindod Wells, Jemma has been twice to our group to give our mums and babies a taster session of the babi Bach session. Both times the parents and our peers have thoroughly enjoyed these sessions. The smiles on the babies faces says it all, and as a peer we could see the lovely bonding this session promoted between mum and baby. A lot of the mums enquired about the proper sessions as they would like to do more.
As a parent who has actively participated in the Babi Bach/Big Fish Baby Fish sessions, I cannot emphasize enough the positive impact these sessions have had on both me and my child. The inclusive and welcoming environment created by Jemma and Impelo was not only a source of joy for us, but also played a crucial role in fostering early development through movement and sensory play for my baby.
More than just a weekly activity; the Babi Bach sessions were a cherished opportunity for bonding, exploration, and creating lasting memories with my little one. It also enabled friendships to be built with other mums. The seasonal music playlists added an extra layer of enjoyment, overall creating a unique space for both parents and babies to engage, dance, and make beautiful noise together. I would hate to see the accessibility of such sessions lost, depriving families in our community of a supportive and enriching experience.
I retired early to spend more time with my husband who has Parkinson’s Disease. I found it difficult to adjust to retired life. I decided to try and find a local dance class as a way of spending some time doing something that I enjoyed. I found Impelo. There was a class which was for people who were over 50. This was ideal for me. I also managed to convince my husband to come along with me. Dance is known to benefit people with Parkinson’s Disease. The class includes dance exercises and then we learn a routine. We have found our general fitness has improved along with our coordination, balance, posture, flexibility, core strength, memory and more. What we didn’t realise is how much it would improve our general wellbeing. As well as the physical benefits we have also both seen improvements in our mental health. We are mixing with a group of like minded people so we have lots in common. After class we go to a local café for coffee which we very much enjoy. We’ve both become more confident to the point that we both take part in the Impelo annual dance shows. It gives us a sense of achievement and we love the camaraderie. Earlier this year we also joined the adult tap class. We had seen other people doing tap at the Impelo dance show so we decided to give it a go ourselves. It’s challenging but we are enjoying the challenge. In a few days time we will be taking part in the Tapathon for Children in Need. I also regularly go to the monthly dance workshops. Impelo arrange workshops for a variety of dance styles. These are very enjoyable sessions where you get to learn something new. I always leave the sessions feeling invigorated after managing to learn a routine in a very short space of time.
Impelo classes keep me fit through dance exercise. There is the important social element with others of pensionable age. There is the mental challenge to learn new dance styles and routines. The venue is an excellent size for group classes and shows as the studio has audience seating, together with catering area and toilet facilities
As a child I loved taking ballet lessons at Impelo, living in a very rural setting this was an incredible opportunity for me. As an adult I love the workshop sessions- the Bollywood one a firm favourite. As a mother I have seen my 8 year boy flourish since starting breakdancing over a year ago, he has ALN and really struggles with his confidence during term time and this positive start to the week really helps boost him.It has opened my children up to many different styles of dance . The quality and diversity of the classes has broadened their minds, tapped into their creativity and given them new friendships.
I attended the babi bach course with my baby, we started it when he was about 3 months old, he loved this class and I believe it did bring his development on.
I have been using the dance centre on and off for about 35 years! I wasn't a sporty child, but I always loved to dance and I went to dance classes all through school at the dance centre and in other venues run by Powys Dance (as it then was). As an adult, it's been a delight to return to dancing for fun, to be socialable and just to move my body. I can imagine this only gets move important as we get older, and I really hope there is somewhere to keep me dancing for another 35 years. Contact with others throughout Covid, physical health and emotional health, to be around other children in a fun capacity. It builds confidence and performance abilities.
5 ways to wellbeing:
Connect with others - going to the classes means meeting up with others who I wouldn't normally come into contact with through work and my friendship groups. It's broadened my horizons.
Be active - physical activity of dance - exercise without your realising your exercising and working hard as it good fun.
Give to others - the dance routines build up a sense of being part of a team, something bigger than yourself. The performances then give the wider community an opportunity to celebrate and be entertained.
Learn new skills - all sorts of skills and development - mental and physical skills, fine motor skills and major movements, creativity, as much mentally demanding as physically demanding.
Present - dance means I focus entirely on what I'm doing forgetting all other stresses. I feel re-balanced by the end of the session, ready to face the world again.-
Impelo has been a valued contributor to our own projects and festivals at WillowGlobe
I have participated as a newcomer to the town and that enabled me to feel part of the community. make new friends and develop new skills. All my grandchildren have also been to classes and gained all the skills that you get through dance.
Building / improving confidence, improving overall fitness, Meeting new people, Good for your mental health, Being encouraged to develop your full potential at your own pace, Having access to a wide range of classes, something for everyone, Developing fitness and stamina.
My 5 year old daughter Evangeline does Ballet and Dance with Impelo, doing these classes have been beneficial for her in terms of growing confidence, having an outlet, socialising, feeling important and proud, and teaching her discipline skills, we had planned for her to do her grades when the time came to further her skills and possibly enrol her in tap, i her mother, was also going to enrol in adult Ballet in hopes to grow my own confidence, and help with my fibromyalgia, and chronic pain syndrome. My mother was also considering enrolling in adult tap in hopes of helping her emphysema.
Having Impelo in Llandrindod has been invaluable. I have participated in dance, yoga & pilates classes fro many years. It would be tragic. It is an excellent venue for workshops and social events too. Being able to access classes at Impelo has been a real bonus of living in Llandrindod Wells., both personally and to the town if it were to close
I take part in 2 classes a week. Pilates and early morning class, which is for strengthening muscle and core, this is particularly helpful for my arthritis as keeping muscles strong helps with movement and pain. Fitsteps- which is for general fitness, heart, movement and coordination. These classes help my well being and state of mind (mental health)
I attend pilaties classes in the hope of keeping fit & strengthening my inner core.
I have had recent classes in pilates after trying to get into very popular classes in Llandrindod and I really find the benefit physically and mentally as do many here. Particularly for older users the classes are a physical and social help. it is vital for excercise to be available outside leisure/gym venues
I think dance has effectedv on my well being as well as my physical stregth & I've had fun in all my classes
Well I love dancing here and it will ruin a lot of memories to not come here all the time. It has boosted my confidence and made me really happy.
I attend both pilaties and fitsteps at Impelo. I live in a small hamlet and need to attend a suitable venue to do such healthy excercise. It is to be part of a group and socialise. One is encouraged to keep trying and it helps those of us who are retired to keep our bodies as flexible as we can, It is one of the few suitable venues locally for these classes.
Social Inergeation, Wellbeing, Mental Health, Fitness & Going foerward
I have taken part in classes at impelo over the past 30 years. I am now 80 and still dancing and I feel that Impelo have contributed to my overall health & fitness, not only with the excellent standard of classes and teachers, but with the social interaction, the mindfulness and the atmosphere of the organisation.
Physical fitness has improved and my mental health, which was suffering due to stress, has improved all down to the classes. Couldn't survive without them.
My Husband and I both use Impelo at low cost. We enjoy that the town centre location means we can walk here rather than have transport costs. Also we have attended several events both professional and private. Amy's reformer studio has been a life line for my husbands mobility
Physical fitness/health, Social, interaction
I'm a support worker and the classes have been so beneficial to the people we support, providing excercise and a chance to meet up with friends and socialise. the classes are so much fun and will be greatly missed if they were to end.
I support an individual to a class and have a child who attends a class. it is such a vital venue in our community. it is used by so many people in the area to participate in activities and classes they have to positively impact their physical and mental wellbeing.
Impelo has offered the opportunity for our daughter to access Ballet, which she absolutely loves! It is the only ballet class available within 35 mile radius of our home and losing this opportunity to dance and be part of a wonderful group of friends is desperatley sad. IMPELO is a wonderful organisation, Very warm and the shows have been wonderful too
Both of my daughters have attended dance classes with Impelo. They have both thoroughly enjoyed it and I have been impressed with the high quality of both the teaching and output. Classes like this are very few and far between in Mid Wales, they have been a highly valued to many young families. In addition, my mother has also attended classes for more social reasons, but got to finish the course by performing in Swan Lake, with her granddaughter.
If the Arts Council feel they have to make cuts, surely these community based, widely engaging services should be the last on the list!
I dance twice a week, keeps me fit and I meet and chat to fellow dancers. All positive for mental health
My son adores dance classes and very much looks forward to them after school on Tuesdays. He has also been lucky enough to have been visited by Impelo at school, where he enjoyed dancing with his friends.
I started doing one of the fitness dance classes with Lucy Wills on a weekly basis about 6/7 years ago, followed shortly by her piliates class and an evening dancing class. All of these classes have immensely improved my fitness and brain function, having to learn routines. I am retired (age72) and these classes have got me out of the house, meeting like minded people and developing new friendships and having fun!
Before I started the pilates class I was for ever having back problems, pulled muscles, strains etc. Since starting thay are rare and much shorter lived.
Great setting for my pilates classes, I have done fit steps too. Lovely to have mirrors and super floor! Gret place to go for fitness. Met lovely peole who have become friends. Convenient to get to as we live in a very rural area.
My involvement with Impelo is through attending pilates with Lucy Wills on a Tuesday morning. It is an axcellent venue and it feels good to be able to use the hall, which is spacious, even though what i'm doing is not actually run by Impelo. Doing pilates each week is very good for me. I know it is keeping me active and supple, working my muscles, as I approach 70. It is vital
What do you value most about the work Impelo do?
The inclusivity of all their work. Classes and projects, are open to all, regardless of age, experience or perceived difference and one of the principal joys of taking part in them, for myself was the opportunity to be part of a group that celebrated our differences and also bridged any perceived generational gap. I love that Impelo's work is firmly grounded in its community and understands and celebrates the challenges and rewards of living in such a remote, rural community. This goes hand in hand with their commitment to the environment and all their work shows an understanding of and sensitivity to the natural world and our relationship with it and brings this understanding to a wider audience and in an accessible way. For me, Impelo are an organisation grounded in their community, aware of their roots and their responsibilty to them. But, above all they are an organisation that celebrates life....in all its manifestations and in all its joy.
Location, the quality of the provision, knowledge of class leaders and the friendly atmosphere as soon as you walk in the buildingI value most the genuineness of Impelo followed by location, price, frequency of opportunity to participate & good communication with clients
Location wise Impelo is the only dance class within an hour from this area, making it critical it remains open. The ethos at Impelo is all about community, fun and growth - it’s the friendliest, warmest most loving group of people you would ever wish to meet.
What is so fantastic about impelo is that it allows the children to explore THEIR way of expressing themselves. Its coaching environment rather than just teaching is an approach that is so successful in instilling a love of dance in all its dorms. The class leaders are simply brilliant at this.
The building itself is ideal for these classes and for the showcases and other events put on by impelo. The amazing work she does with the children and she always gives her 110 percent!
The teachers are brilliant, it’s a lovely little venue, good parking and location. Very good cost for what it is Impelo has affordable prices, brilliant with all the children in getting them involved in the classes and giving them the confidence to join in with all activities they provide.
The classes are affordable.
Fantastic teachers that are not only lovely and kind, but also very experienced, talented teachers. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming to all.
Everything: cost, location, quality of lessons.Everything. Her dance instructor is lovely and my daughter absolutely adores her. The classes are fantastic and it's also been a great way for both me and my daughter to get to know new people in the community.
Friendly and welcoming. Low cost. Highly experienced teachers.
Everything! the cost is very fair and the class is worth it! Especially considering the under 1’s group is free! The atmosphere is always good, we have a lot of fun at the classes. There is always different things for the kids to play with and Jemma is absolutely fab! I can’t fault it at all.
Freedom to enjoy the arts in Llandrindod
The cost of classes is great value for money, compared to other hobbies. For some they offer discounts which in this climate is amazing so children are not missing out.
In our area it is my understanding that there are not a huge amount of dance classes available to children other than the ones at this dance centre and there always seems to be a waiting list which shows how popular they are.
I love the fact that the children get to share their work with parents and by doing this also gives the children a boost of confidence from a young age to perform in front of others. The teachers are always brilliant with the children also. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming and filled with fun and happiness. Location is great and local. Cost is fair. Its just a great thing to have.
The warm and welcoming atmosphere Local, atmosphere, professional, responding to local need, flexible
The inclusiveness of Impelo is impressive; not only are classes provided at the Centre for a range of ages and abilities, in a number of different dance style, but also I am aware of their outreach work. I have witnessed first hand their intervnetions with a Dementia Support group, who visibly bloomed as they joined in the activities offered.
For us it is the inclusivity, accessibility and friendliness of Impelo sessions and the facilitators of the classes we attend. I am aware that they do a lot of work with children and some classes for adults, so their work spans the whole community and I imagine that a lot of people benefit in a variety of ways from their work.
Sessions are always welcoming, warm and inclusive. Participants and their contributions are genuinely valued and celebrated and there is a lovely friendly, community ambiance. My daughter does access other dance sessions with other providers via zoom, but these do not compare to being in the studio with others and actively participating face to face, as we do at Impelo.
It has been a godsend, in the short time we have lived in Powys, to find Impelo and become involved with them.
Quality of teaching.
Variety of dance available.
Fantastic dance space.
Enthusiasm of the small but powerful team !!
The atmosphere and quality of the teaching
The whole atmosphere of Impelo is extremely inclusive , it’s like a big family whilst being professional and offering top quality teaching of dance across the board .
The benefits stretch far beyond learning to dance and exercise , this space is imperative to people’s well being both mentally and physically.
This is the only venue available in this area it is of great value to the community and surrounding areas. Without this i think a lot of people and children would suffer.
The atmosphere these sessions create is such a lovely warm happy environment and makes for such a lovely bonding time for parents and babies. We even had a grandparent bring her grand daughter to our last session.
This service is such a benefit to all, and so good for mental health.
The cost and the local of the sessions at impelo is excellent, from the feedback we have had from our breastfeeding mums who have booked on for full sessions. The inclusive and welcoming environment that Impelo creates for our community.
The opportunity for meaningful parent-chid bonding.
Without Impelo we would not have started doing dance classes and if we lose Impelo we will not be able to continue dancing. It’s difficult to find adult dance classes in our area and in particular classes which are specifically for the over 50s.
Impelo is in an ideal location for us. It’s just a fifteen minute drive. The dance studio is flooded with natural light from the large windows. There are mirrors for you to practice your dance moves and there is a bar for you to hold when you need a bit of extra help with your balance. The classes are very reasonably priced which means that even though we only have a small income we can afford to keep going to classes. Affordable cost. Excellent central location with parking. First class dance teachers. Friendly, sociable atmosphere. Providing a calendar of stimulating weekend workshops and visiting dance groups.
Impelo appeal to people of all ages and interests- they are welcoming and supportive. They provide options for those on low incomes, making it feasible to travel to the dance centre for classes where this may not be possible if at full price. The dance studio is a fantastic setting and deserves to be protected, we are losing too many of our community focussed venues across the UK let’s not add Impelo to the list of victims
The quality of classes is exceptional and the teachers are all so talented and great teachers as well as practitioner themselves. The teachers inspire my girls and act as role models.
• Great location as not many classes like this in Powys.
• Great atmosphere
• The class I attended was fully funded for us so not cost which was brilliant.
The open and inclusive nature of the classes and workshops you put on. There is something for everyone and never any judgement, just kindness and fun.
Due to Powys being so big, there is always some travelling. Therefore it’s quite a commitment to support Dance and movement. It is a lovely organisation with great people that work for and care about making dancing fun.It is cost effective way to engage.
Living in a deep rural area with little access to services, Impelo is a vital service delivering across Powys - 1/4 of the land mass of Wales.
Quality is excellent. All the teachers are incredible, with performance experience, high quality teaching and friendly approach. They work as a team and can cover for each other which enhances learners' experience.
It's a friendly, inclusive atmosphere, reaching out to all age groups and adapting teaching to meet the needs of everyone.-
Everything - their work contributes richly to life in Powys, really sad if such life- affirming work in our community can not continueIn a rural county it is vital to have local venues with excellent resources such as we have here. Impelo offers so much to so many people in a relaxed and un-pressured atmosphere with a dedicated team of professional staff.
There is a wide range of classes which are well attended. The children''s dance classes particularly are over subscribed with long waiting lists. This shows how much this facility is needed.
The quality and enthusiasm of the staff is second to none and will be lost if funding does not continue.
The rurality of mid Powys, it's poor transport links, with average incomes well below the national average, will see both children and adults who currently attend classes deprived of this wonderful facility and totally unable to access like facilities elsewhere.
We have very little in this area as it is, don't let Impelo and the people of mid Powys down, it needs to receive adequate funding to continue into the future.I value the inclusiveness of the company, they have a wide range of styles of dance you can participate in, with a huge age range of all welcomed. They also offer lower prices for those who are on a lower income, to make sure its more accessible for those of us who may struggle affording the same opportunities, which is absolutely amazing. They run from their heart and it's all about enjoyment, I can't thank them enough for what they do. The teachers are clearly passionate about what they do, and about the kids. -Location, Facilities & Variety of classes available.Impelo is in a great location, easily accessable and a lovely place to meet. I appriciate how warm and inviting the building is kept in these days of such high costs.We are a disabled group and there is something (music) for everybody to join in, movement to music is fun and we can all enjoy it. We have a short break for a drink and a chat. The cost is reasinable and great value for the excercise and friendships we have gained. In mid Wales location can be a problem, so this group is meeting means of a lot to us all.Central to many in Llandrindod the Dance Centre has been a focus for some years and its centrality is unique in the time of closing leisure venues. The classes are a link between the ages.I think it has a great atmosphere becauseall the people that work here are so kind and lovelyDancing and that here, I have had lots of memories like Ballet classes, tap dancing, break dancing and ransackLower costs is helpful as it already costs petrol money to attend.Location. dedicatation of staffImpelo manage to run classes of an excellent standars, covering all ages and abilities, in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. I don't just enjoy my class, I need it to keep movement going, to keep social interaction, it is part of my week.The teacher and being in the groups in this perfect, central location which is large enough for the class.Cost, location, variety of opportinities of staffAll of the above, Cost, location, atmosphere, intention, physical health. For our group (thursdays) 65 to 85 yrs of age. Close this down and where can we find the same facilities.Cost, friendships, accessability and funVaried classes which suit so many ages and abilities. It is always at a reasonable cost and a superb service, is always delivered by staff who go above and behond to bring this with a friendly smile.ASffordability, inclusive, community, spirited, accessable, high quality and funLocation, atmosphere and quality. With few proffessionally run opportunities for young people in rural Mid Wales, lasses of this caliber are vital. The kids love the fun atmosphere and value the participation in the high quality performance put on at the end of each course.The cost is very reasonable, the location is very easy to access. Lets keep it going please.Rosonable price, Ideal location, friendly dance leadersFirstly I value that we have Impelo in Llandrindod. A place where all ages can learn to dance a range of dance styles. The location suits me as I travel about 7 miles to get there and the cost of the classes are also good for me as a pensioner. It is just a great place and my life would be poorer without Impelo.Location - within 4 miles of where I live, Cost - fair & reasonable, Atmosphere - although I don't especially enjoy the exercise! I do enjoy being part of a friends group. The mirrors at the centre really help to show what you are actually doing, which is often wuite different to what you think you are doing!Location, facilities (good atmospher) Cost, The opportunities to try something new/different.It's local and a perfect place for the classes which we attend. A very sociable and happy place, would be devistated to lose this facility.Impelo is a great organisation. So many individuals and families are benefiting from the many classes that run there. Is is so good that a real grounding is being made in childrens lives, to do with dance, movement and much more. I believe the work achieved there is good for mental health, confidence and so much more for adults as well. Friendly atmosphere too.
Is there anything else you want to say about Impelo or the wider cuts to arts organisations in Powys?
The importance of Impelo and other arts organisations in Powys cannot be over estimated. For too long rural commumities have lost out as far as arts provision is concerned. Repeated cuts to the arts has led to a situation where many valued arts organisations have been lost. ...to the detriment of the communities they serve. I remember as a child being thrilled by the productions of Theatr Powys ( sadly no longer with us) and how that led to me pursuing my own career in TIE and the theatre. Without that experience, as a child growing up in rural mid Wales and coming from a family of limited means, I would never had any exposure to the theatre. It saddens me that this could be the future for so many young people growing up in Powys now, if they lose the ability to access discounted classes and the opportunities to take part in projects and witness productions within their community. The arts are in danger, once more, of becoming something only those of financial means can afford to access. This at a time, when it is widely reported and recognised that taking part in art related activities, particularly dance, has an overwhelmingly positive effect on our health and wellbeing. Young people, in particular, are facing huge challenges and the effect on their mental health and wellbeing is profound. This is a time when we should be offering them MORE access to the arts, not taking it away. It also strikes me that by taking away access (which is what could happen through these funding cuts) to community dance, particularly regular classes that encourage the nurturing and development of young dancers, we run the risk of taking away the lifeblood of our national dance companies. Without organisations like Impelo running accessible classes, where are our young dancers of the future going to come from? Surely those young people who live in rural areas should have the same access to such opportunities as those who live in urban areas. The same argument applies to those freelance dancers who live and work in their local rural communities .. without organisations such as Impelo who provide freelance opportunities and a networking and support system....what happens to them ? Organisations such as Impelo and those other arts organisations based in Powys who have their roots in their local communities and provide a much loved service to these communities should be celebrated and lauded....We lose them ....and we lose something that is irreplacable.
It’s frustrating that Powys is constantly having to loose provisions to enable South Wales (whom have everything on their doorstep) continue to benefit from funding. Arts as a whole in Powys lije everywhere is suffering from cuts. It is incredibly short sighted & very damaging particularly in rural communities where you have to seek out engagement with the arts at the best of times, let alone during cut backs.
The impact will show itself more in the next generation locally than this one. Due to not having acess to music movement & drama. We are being left isolated- with no options for our children to express themselves through the arts, or ways to bring the community together with the arts. This is desperate times for the arts community in Powys, utterly desperate.
As a woman, as a wife, as a mother and as a part of the beautiful county of Powys - we need Impelo.
It would be a horrible waste of a facility and the dance movement that impelo has been building up over the years in this community. I will be very gutted if this closes and finishes, there is nothing around for little children to be apart of. We need more of these I think it’s a real shame that a lot of companies are having their funding cut as there will soon be nothing around the area for children/teenagers to do, resulting in no interaction for some people.
Impelo is a fantastic resource to Mid Wales. Actually it's the only place in the actual centre of the largest County! - that provides dance classes. The next nearest town is Brecon, which is a 60 mile round trip for us, which isn't possible to do each week. Can't understand why the funding is being cut!!
The Babi Bach class in particular was a highlight of my maternity. It enabled me to have some special time with my baby without any distractions. The other classes are just as important. I think the cuts are a real shame and disappointment for everyone involved with impelo. I think in our area we are already in short supply of what’s on offer for children both younger and older. I’m sure this venue gives a lot of people a means of escape and enjoyment and it would be a great loss to the community if it were to close.
Unfortunately a lot of people will miss out on opportunities if venues like this close, some people don’t drive so can’t find classes elsewhere, some can’t afford to go further afield for example. Our transport systems aren’t like those in the city where you can get public transport to and from classes.
With cuts here and there before long there will be nothing left in our community. This service is great and it's needs to stay. Being a new mum is hard work but impelo gave me the change to make new friends and spend quality time with my child who loved the lights and music. Who is now a toddler and loves to go to dance and dance and sing along and helps me get moving too. Cutting funding to Impelo and all other organisations who rely on this money is heartbreaking. The arts should be encouraged and this is having the opposite effect. Dancing = good health (mental and physical). Cut funding for dance and you increase costs elsewhere. We need dance now more than ever - especially the sort of locally responsive offer that Impelo has.
I find it incomprehensible that little or no funding is being offered by the Arts Council Wales to arts organisations such as Impelo, the Wyeside Arts Centre, Mid-Wales Opera and Theatr Hafren - an existential threat for them all, I believe. I gather too that part of the rationale for this decision was the very disappointing failure of Powys County Council to find anything in their budget to support the arts in Mid-Wales, which now seems in imminent danger of becoming a cultural desert. Particularly when Theatr Brycheiniog has been given millions, it is hard to understand how no help at all is being made available for arts organisations from Builth Wells to Newtown, who worked valiantly during the pandemic to stay open for their customer base and who are now being expected to deal alone with the long-term financial consequences of lockdown. Only that the arts bring many benefits to people across the community, bring people together, improving social connections and enhancing the environment and local area.
Whilst the arts may not have the same immediate priority as providing shelter, food and medical care, they can help with mental well-being, recovery from mental illness, and definitely have many beneficial effects on people with learning disabilities, who are all too often overlooked in local government and national agendas.
To the ACW I'd like to say how extremely upset, angered & confused as to why all Impelo funding is being withdrawn. You have invested in the project over the years & now all that investment will have been for what? You say you will be reviewing community dance 'in the coming years' What happens in the meantime? Why had you not been constantly reviewing. Advising, guiding & assisting projects to achieve what was required of them on your part. This shows lack of leadership & I can categorically say I have no confidence in ACW whatsoever !
The lack of investment in mid Wales is appalling. North , south & west Wales seemingly getting a good slice of the cake. Mid Wales is likely to become the wilderness of the Arts.This will be devastating to the community and surrounding area which stretches far and wide. People come from all over Powys to participate in the fantastic diverse classes that are offered here at a very high standard .
We cannot let these cuts happen it’s not just dance and excercise it’s a life line to a whole rural community!!!
I honestly think that cuts should be re-evaluated as services like the ones impelo provide are really of benefit in our area, and dance help everyone feel good and helps their mental wellbeing and what can be better than that. I believe that preserving funding for Impelo (and arts in general) is an investment in the well-being and development of our community.
I would again emphasise the profound positive influence that Impelo has had on countless families, like mine, and advocate for continued support of this invaluable local resource.
When we heard that Impelo would no longer receive funding we were devastated. I know this sounds dramatic but it has been life changing for us. There is no other organisation in our area that does what Impelo does. If it closes it will leave a huge gap that will probably never be filled.
It seems unfair to us that Powys has lost so much funding for the arts. Rural areas need to be supported if people are to have access to things like dance classes. Cities and big towns have the population to financially support organisations such as dance centres. We don’t. Without help we will no longer be able to continue to do what we love i.e. to dance.
It seems ironic that dance studios are losing their funding when the Welsh Government has a plan for ‘A Healthier Wales’. The Welsh Government wants people to ‘take more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing’. (https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-09/a-healthier-wales-our-plan-for-health-and-social-care.pdf).
The NHS Confederation has published a paper saying ‘Dance is recognised as one of the most effective ways of getting fit, improving mobility, enhancing social connections, developing better cognitive skills and having fun while doing so. (https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/how-dance-improves-physical-and-mental-health).
This paper refers to a document which details how dance can improve physical and mental health. The document is called ‘Let’s Dance! How dance improves physical and mental health: A briefing for the Cross-Party Group on Arts and Health’. It includes many successful projects where dance has been used to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing including:
• To help with stroke rehabilitation
• To improve mental health
• To help people suffering with Parkinson’s Disease
• To prevent falls
• To help pregnant women
With dance being such a key element for the long term health and wellbeing for people living in Wales we very much hope that the decision to cut funding for Impelo will be reversed. This town is in great need for business groups such as Impelo prepared to provide top quality classes led by qualified professionals, combining physical exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction for all ages and especially when we are constantly being advised by medical professionals to "get more exercise". We live in an age of computers and machines taking away our sense of community and amazing human individuality. Please read pages 50-53 of U3A Winter 2023 Magazine issue 59, to appreciate how all of us connect with music and movement but in particular in our older years.
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It was a shock to hear that funding had been cut to Impelo, they are so important to our community, many of us have been coming here for years and our children too. My girls are so inspired by the place and it would be a huge loss to the community and the culture of the place if we were to lose them. This organisation is brilliant in Powys, as we are so rural we usually have to travel over a hour to any big town/small city!
This is a brilliant organisation for Powys and would be such a shame to loose it.It could take away something really important to our community, and it's short-sighted. The national workforce is changing, remote working is an option for so many, we should be building our facilities to attract people into a thriving community that helps raise everybody up. Plus, in an era so focused on mental as well as physical health, the benefits of socialising and having fun shouldn't be under estimated, nor should the potential cost savings for the NHS of promoting health and wellness.I feel this is very shortsighted. Our children have struggled with contact through Covid. We live in a very rural community with very few opportunities for clubs and outside Dance settings. We have to travel far to access some classes. This is a loss to the community and to building the confidence, and the Dance skill of our children. I am very concerned that our young people will not develop into great dancers!
Mid Wales is becoming a "cultural desert". The Arts Council Funding has missed a large geographical area in the middle of Wales as a whole. Relatively, small amounts of funding have been awarded to organisations towards the south/north of the county (Builth Wells and Newtown), in an effort to "tick" the mid Wales box. However, this funding doesn't make those organisations necessarily sustainable either.
We can see that the Arts Council has awarded funding to Wales wide organisations with the assumption that they will deliver across Wales. However, these organisations are based either in the north or south of Wales. These national organisations end up missing mid Wales out again due to the difficult geography, dispersed population and costs of travel. When less than 5 turn up for a dance class they feel it's not worth their time and resources and can't hit targets to report back a wide reach to funders.
Young pe
ople in Powys are being encouraged to leave with this additional cultural desert. They go over the boarder to Hereford/Shrewsbury for their further education, there is little for them to do outside of their formal education here and the cut to funding means there will be even less.
There is plenty of research and evidence to show the benefit of dance to the physical and mental health of people of all ages. Dance is especially helpful in reducing the risks of the main health problems of stroke, heart disease ,diabetes and dementia. Without Impelo, dance will not be easily available. The national organisations will NOT deliver here.
Sir Professor Chris Whitty recently reported that services are limited in rural/coastal areas of England. It is the same here in Powys. Older people move to our rural areas, to retire and investment is needed, such as dance, for the wellbeing of this population.
Mid Wales needs investment rather than being viewed as not worthy due to small numbers, the assumption we are all rich and willing/able to travel long distances in order to access services and culture. We have been attending dance classes in one form or another at Impelo since 2015, when we first moved to mid-Wales, and can attest to the huge impact that the dance centre has played in the lives of our family since then.
Being new to the area with a 2-year-old and newborn in arms, the dance centre was a wonderful way for us to connect with local families and we immediately made some wonderful friends. This made the move from London feel less overwhelming and helped us to settle in and feel part of the community. My children, now aged 10 and 8, have both been involved at Impelo first at the toddler movement classes right through to Break Out, Spark, Energise and have now landed at ballet. My daughter started ballet 18 months ago with Amy and is now part of The Nutcracker ballet cast for 2023 at the Brecon Theatre. She is the only member of the Impelo ballet academy participating at present and we hope more students will follow. If it wasn’t for Amy and her excellent teaching, my daughter wouldn’t have had the confidence to audition. It was also Amy that arranged for the ballet students to attend the 2022 production of the show that planted the seed. Through Impelo’s association with Brecon Theatre, we were invited to a screening of Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs where my daughter met the cast from Ballet Cymru. They have so inspired her that she’d like to pursue a career in performing arts, particularly in ballet. Without Jemma and Amy’s guidance, inspiration and leadership, this would never have happened. As a home educating family, the social aspect of the dance classes is incredibly important to us. Our children have made lasting friendships and I’ve also been able to volunteer at the annual showcase events, which has helped my mental health and wellbeing a great deal. Being a single income family also brings with it financial challenges, especially with the cost-of-living crisis, putting many extra-curricular activities out of reach. Impelo have always, with the help of funding, been able to offer affordable rates for their classes, even going so far as to offer additional discount codes, which I was obliged to use on several occasions. In 2022, we weren’t able to afford a summer holiday but Impelo put on a range of free sessions throughout the holidays that kept the kids busy. I was most grateful and they loved it! It meant I didn’t feel guilty for not being able to take them away on holiday. The news that Impelo’s funding from the Arts Council has been cut is devastating, to say the least and has sent shockwaves through our town! We have been at the dance centre ever week for 8 years and it has so impacted our lives and relationships, that we will be crushed without it! I’m genuinely concerned for the negative impact this will have on me and my children’s mental health, as well as for the hundred of families that are also connected to the centre and depend on it for their children’s dance lessons. We have researched alternatives, particularly for ballet for both our children, and there is nothing in mid-Powys. We would have to travel to Brecon, which would be the nearest academy and with only one car, that’s not possible. Not being able to dance will be life changing for my children and I cannot express enough how awful and short sighted this decision appears particularly when Impelo underpins and facilitates the dance and movement of literally hundreds of children and families from miles around in what is already a rural and low-income area. Please make a way to keep them going. We love our Impelo family, our community needs them….