2023-2024 AWA DANCE REPORT
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11 Brindley Place, Brunswick Square
Birmingham, B1 2LP
Registered Charity Number 1188235
awadance.org
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Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Letter from our Director............................................................. | 3 |
| Letter from our Chair.................................................................... | 4 |
| Vision + Mission................................................................................ | 5 |
| Overview............................................................................................... | 6 |
| Our Team.............................................................................................. | 7 |
| Equality and Diversity data...................................................... | 8 |
| Dance & Leadership workshops........................................... | 9 |
| Leadership Opportunities for Women............................. | 10 |
| Our Participants............................................................................... | 11 |
| Key Highlights................................................................................... | 12 |
| Our goals for 2024/2025............................................................. | 13 |
| Governance and legal.................................................................. | 14 |
| Accounts............................................................................................... | 15 |
| Funders and Supporters............................................................ | 16 |
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Letter from our Director
As the Founder and Director of AWA DANCE, it brings me great joy to welcome you to our fourth year of activities. Our journey began on 28th February 2020, just as the pandemic was about to hit the UK. Since then, our world has seen many challenges, from enduring wars to the ongoing struggles for women’s rights and pressing environmental issues. In the midst of this tumultuous landscape, AWA DANCE stands as a sign of hope —a small yet mighty charity, driven by our firm values and a deep commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our participants.
I am filled with pride as I reflect on three particular accomplishments. Firstly, our recent partnership with youth organisations such as The Lighthouse Community Centre in Birmingham has been truly transformative.
Witnessing the growth and empowerment of the girls in their group through dance fills me with immense joy. I am eager to see how this partnership will continue to flourish in the days ahead. Secondly, our Safeguarding in Dance sessions, tailored to the unique needs of women and girls, have been a source of great satisfaction. The engaging discussions and insights shared by participants affirm the importance of this work, encouraging us to persist in our efforts.
I want to finish by thanking the new funders we have had this year. Apart from the grants received from Arts Council England, we received support from the Million Hours Fund distributed by the Communities Fund; a grant from Magic Little Grant; and support from the Inclusive Communities Fund in partnership with the UK Government, Commonwealth Games Legacy Funding, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Heart of England Community Foundation. Thank you also to the individual donors who wish to remain anonymous but whose contributions have a huge impact on the work we do.
We hope that by reading our annual report, you will appreciate the value of the work we do and understand how crucial each of you is in achieving our goals of positively impacting the lives of teenage girls in wider society and women in dance. To all who have supported us on this journey, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your belief in our mission has been the driving force behind our success.
We have exciting (and challenging!) times ahead, but we are confident that together, we can overcome any obstacles. AWA DANCE is here for us all.
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Avatâra Ayuso
Founder and Director
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Letter from our Chair
The Board is delighted to share with you our latest report on the achievements of our charity over this past year. We've seen the growth and deepening of our core work, from our annual mentoring programme that connects women in dance internationally, to highly impactful workshops for girls and young women in secondary schools that nurture their leadership skills through dance. As a small charity, our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, freelancers and partners, has delivered work true to our mission to promote new understandings of leadership in safe, supportive spaces.
I'm especially proud of the breadth of international, national and local partnerships the team has developed, including with Festival of the Girl, Sadlers' Wells, The Lighthouse, Swindon Dance and secondary schools. Our vision for a world where every woman and girl is empowered to be a brave leader can only be achieved in collaboration with partners across sectors, and it has been a joy to see these partnerships grow year on year.
None of this would be possible without the backing of supporters across trusts and foundations, businesses and individual donors. Thank you to all our supporters for your continued backing and belief in AWA DANCE!
The funding landscape remains challenging with the continuing cost-of-living crisis and global events that demand urgent humanitarian actions. All of us remain committed to playing our part through fostering leadership through dance so that women and girls are empowered to become the change they want to see in the world, and to lead on the issues that matter most to them.
We hope you enjoy reading our report and feel inspired to connect with our work if you haven't already. We always welcome new partnerships and collaborations!
For now, with a heartfelt thanks to all who make our work possible.
Asma Hussain Chair of the Board of Trustees
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is a world where every woman and girl is woman and girl an empowered and brave leader, both in their personal and professional lives.
is to promote a new understanding of leadership leadership through dance, in safe spaces where women and girls become the change they want to see in the world.
Overview
AWA DANCE (Advancing Women's Aspirations with Dance) is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) based in the UK, founded by the choreographer, Avatâra Ayuso. AWA DANCE is dedicated to the leadership development of all women and girls, using the transformative power of dance as the tool to empower their voices. We are also a network of creative, confident and inspirational leaders that contribute to the progress of the dance sector and 21st century society, by sharing and embodying our five core DANCE values: Dream big, take Action, Navigate the world, Create an artistic and leadership voice and Empower others.
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What We Do
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Dance and Leadership workshops
Research and Leadership Data Opportunities for women
Our Commitments
Intersectional
Feminism
Our Values
Dream big, Act now Navigate the world
Create your artistic and leadership voice Empower yourself and others
Gender Equality
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Sustainable Goal 5
United Nations
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Our Team
Core Team
Avatâra Ayuso: Founder and Director Vittoria Butti: Programme Administrator Ana Neve: Digital and Communications Officer Hannah Thomas: Fundraiser Sherisse Bisram: Dance and Leadership Facilitator
Associates
Sam LeBihan: Educational and Safeguarding Consultant
Board of Trustees
Asma Hussain (Chair) Rosa Maria Cisneros Andrew Hurst Arunima Kumar Monique Springer
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Equality and Diversity data
Our Team & Board
33.34% of our team is Global majority 80% of our Board is Global majority
Our Participants
40.3% of our participants are Global majority
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Dance and Leadership workshops
In 2023, AWA DANCE delivered Dance & Leadership workshops across the country at Swindon Dance, The Lighthouse, Arena Academy, Sadlers’ Wells, New City College and Hodge Hill Girls School.
The Power I Hold
In consultancy with Sam LeBihan and with support from Arts Council England, we developed the workshop ‘The Power I Hold’, a dance and leadership workshop about empowerment, self-expression and being a change-maker.
We also created the ‘Power I Hold Toolkit’, a 20-pages Pack with extra resources and activities, which we distribute to all workshop participants since its creation in June 2023.
Festival of the Girl
For International Day of The Girl, we were invited to take part to Festival of the Girl 2024. The Festival counted more than 1000 participants. We interacted with girls at our stall and delivered two dance and leadership workshops.
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Leadership Opportunities for Women
Women in Dance: Let’s Take Action
For International Women's month, we delivered a free webinar for women in dance. The webinar included discussions on maternity in the workplace and activism; a presentation of research on gender disparity in dance programming; sharing tools for women in the performing arts and tips on how to take action. The event was hosted by Avatâra Ayuso, and featured Sherisse Bisram, Lucy McCrudden, Seeta Patel, Jennie Green, Ana Neve and Kathryn Stamp as guests.
Safeguarding in Dance Training
AWA DANCE offered two online sessions of Safeguarding in Dance training Level 2, held by expert dance educationalist Sam LeBihan. The course equiped participants with understanding of safeguarding within a dance setting. A section of the training focused specifically on working with girls and women, understanding what risks they may face and what safeguarding measures should be in place to protect them from harm. Participants got a Continuous Professional Development certificate.
Mentoring Programme
The 7-month mentorship programme gave participants access to some of the most successful women in the UK dance sector. Participants received one-to-one sessions with a matched mentor, group sessions and individual time and feedback from our Director, Avatâra Ayuso. AWA DANCE provided mentees with tailored information and resources including a private online Hub. Our 2023 mentors were Michelle Norton, Ruth Lee, Taira Foo, Sherisse Bisram and Anna Watkins.
Mentees 2023
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Our Participants
The most common words used by participants to describe how they feel post-session are 'empowered', 'confident' and ‘ready’
The best part of my mentorship has been spending time with someone I find inspiring and being able to talk through a variety of topics with someone who completely understands what I’m trying to express. - Alex, Mentee 2023
Engaging with the charity through my role as a research intern has felt really transformational. Working amongst a community of like minded women dance artists towards creating a better sector for women and girls has been incredibly fulfilling. -Melanie, Research Intern Associate 2023
It was very informative and enjoyable… and extremely thought provoking! It felt like a safe, welcoming environment too, thank you! - Clare, Training Participant 2023
I felt more mindful of how I treat myself and more aware that I could be kind to myself. - Sophie, Workshop Participant 2023
I am more confident in articulating myself, I have developed a range of professional and personal skills, and I have been reminded that advocacy and change is possible in the everyday. Thank you for such a brilliant opportunity. - Melanie, Research Intern Associate 2023
I liked how it got us energised and allowed us to communicate more with each other, yet able to express our views respectfully and creatively. - Olivia, Workshop participant 2023
I appreciate being able to work through transitional moments with someone who understands the ins and outs and can offer experienced guidance. I’ve leant to take the jump into a new challenge. - Lexy, Mentee 2023
After this workshop I feel better about myself and more confident - Zahra, Workshop Participant 2023
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During 2023-204 we impacted 1467 participants
Key Highlights
across our activites
Registered Arts Awards Centre
APRIL Awards Centre Won two Non-Profit MAY Organisation Awards JUNE JULY AUGUST First Safeguarding in SEPTEMBER Workshops at Dance training session Swindon Dance, Arena Academy, New City Participation in Festival College and The OCTOBER of the Girl 2023 Lighthouse NOVEMBER Received Arts Council DECEMBER England funding Second Safeguarding in JANUARY Dance training Games funding FEBRUARY Workshops at Sadler’s Wells MARCH
Started partnership with The Lighthouse youth centre
Launch of 3rd mentoring programme for women in dance
Received Magic Little Grants and Million Hours funding
Received Commonwealth Games funding
Selected for Women’s Voices 2024 by Media Trust Training
Women in Dance: Let’s Take Action webinar
Workshops at Sadler’s Wells and Hodge Hill Girls School
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Our Goals for 2024-2025
Increase girl engagement
Financial Sustainability
Increase our partnerships with schools and youth community centres
Girls in Dance Festival 2025
Exploring and testing co-leadership and power sharing models
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Governance and Legal
AWA DANCE (‘the charity’) is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. We registered as a charity on 28 February 2020. Our charity registration number is 1188235. Our registered address is 103 Sherborne Lofts, 33 Grosvenor St West, Birmingham, B16 8HW.
The organisation is run and managed by a Board of Trustees who meet five times a year to review activities, the financial management of the charity and undertake all governance responsibilities for the charity. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity.
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. The Board is made up of five Trustees with a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the charity's work. TheTrustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Trustees
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Andrew Hurst Appointed on 28 February 2020
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Asma Hussain (Chair) Appointed on 28 February 2020 Monique Springer Appointed on 19 November 2020
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Rosa Maria Cisneros Appointed on 8 March 2022 Arunima Kumar Appointed 6 December 2022
Trustee recruitment
Trustees are recruited based on skills and experience required for the running of the charity. Apart from the first charity Trustees appointed on 28 February 2020, every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity Trustees, the charity Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.
Objectives & Activities
The object of AWA DANCE, as stated in its constitution, is, for the benefit of the general public, to promote and advance the education of the arts through the provision of dance and other training to women, including young women between 12 and 18 years of age (‘the Beneficiaries’) in such ways as the charity trustees think fit.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives. The charity is fulfilling its role by providing dance and leadership training through dance to beneficiaries identifying as women and girls over 12 years of age.
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Funders and Supporters
W e a r e i n c r e d i b l y g r a t e f u l t o o u r p a r t n e r s , f u n d e r s , s u p p o r t e r s & d o n o r s . O u r w o r k w o u l d n ' t b e p o s s i b l e w i t h o u t y o u .