Youth Groups In Action

IN ACTION

Hanna Prince and Robert Veitch continue our series on youth clubs with the lowdown on dance, art, athletics and theatre groups

DANCE

From ballet and tap to ballroom and hip hop, there are endless ways for kids to express themselves through dance. After-school and holiday clubs offer fitness and fun for all ages

Who doesn’t love a good dancing session? Most kids are natural boogiers from a young age, and for good reason – dance is one of the best ways to break a sweat and have fun at the same time.

Ballet used to be the go-to discipline for young dancers. It’s still among the most popular of the dance disciplines, but nowadays there are plenty more options to choose from. Modern dance is perfect for kids who like to express their emotions through movement, street dance is a top choice for toocool-for-school teens, jazz and tap teach amazing coordination skills, and social dancing (such as ballroom, waltz, jive and samba) can help children make friends and overcome social awkwardness. You’ll find classes at village halls, studios and schools across Sussex.

There’s generally no lower age limit for taking part. Dance is one of the best ways to break a sweat and have fun at the same time

Some dance classes cater to toddlers, while others foster talented teens. For those who excel, there are often opportunities to perform in public with individual clubs or county-wide youth companies. Whether your child graces the stage or prefers the low-pressure environment of a dance class, dancing is sure to boost both their fitness and their confidence. Find a youth group near you through the International Dance Teachers’ Assocation. l www.idta.co.uk

ART

Honing fine motor skills, building self-confidence, expressing emotion – art has endless benefits for kids of all ages

There’s plenty of research to show that art is a key driver of young people’s development. Encouraging kids to express themselves creatively can help with communication, problem-solving, imagination and self-worth, as well as addressing underlying emotional issues. Studies show that art therapy is also hugely beneficial for children suffering from depression, anxiety, grief and trauma.

Art has slipped down the curriculum priority list in recent years, but the good news is that there are still plenty of opportunities for young people to learn about different methods of creative expression outside school hours. For toddlers and pre-schoolers, look out for artbased ‘messy church’ sessions at a church near you. Community youth clubs often run arts sessions for older kids, and there are after-school arts clubs in Lewes, Brighton, Worthing and other towns across the area.

Anyone under the age of 25 can also work towards an Arts Award (www.artsaward.org. uk). This nationally-recognsied qualification can be delivered by any setting offering arts or cultural activities – youth clubs, schools, private and public art clubs included.

Art isn’t just about drawing and painting. It encompasses a huge range of mediums and methods, from sculpting with clay, collage and printmaking to enamelwork and mosaic. The beauty of art groups is that they offer an environment where kids can experiment with countless ways of self-expression and truly let their creativity run wild. l Encouraging kids to express themselves creatively can help with communication, problem-solving, imagination and self-worth

ATHLETICS

Could your child be the next Mo Farah? Athletics clubs for kids are designed to nurture young talent, build physical fitness and offer plenty of fun at the same time

Athletics is one of the most popular sporting activities among young people – a recent government survey showed that nearly 22% of 11 to 15 year olds regularly participate in running, jumping, throwing and walking events. The term covers a range of different sports, including track and field (everything from sprinting, long-distance running and hurdling to long jump and triple jump), road running, crosscountry running, racewalking, mountain running and trail running.

Organised athlethics has a venerable history. Early events were depicted in Ancient Egyptian tombs from around 2,250BC, and they were the focus of the Ancient Olympic Games from 776BC onwards. Athletic champions are still among the most celebrated Olympians – and most of them started their sporting career at a young age. There are plenty of opportunities for young people who display athletic talent. England Athletics, the governing body for athletics sports, has

There are plenty a searchable list of youth of opportunities for young people programmes across the country. In Sussex, the Sussex Athletics Youth Development League runs who display athletic competitions for club teams at talent

under 13, under 15, under 17 and under 20 level. There are local groups at Bexhill, Brighton, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Lewes, Uckfield and elsewhere that offer training for kids, generally from the age of 8, 9 or 10 onwards.

You don’t have to have your eye on an Olympic medal to take part. Getting fit, improving coordination, making friends and having fun are all added bonuses. l www.englandathletics.org www.sussexathletics.net

YOUTH THEATRE

To trip the light fantastic, or recite a monologue from Hamlet may not be on everyone’s bucket list, but the educational side of youth theatre offers plenty to those who get involved

From small acorns, mighty oaks grow and for many a shy youngster attending a youth theatre can nurture growth in confidence and self expression. Spare a few seconds to think how youth theatre might benefit your child because the upside is greater than might be thought.

Nothing gets near a stage without writers, producers and directors. Nothing gets on stage without discipline, leadership and teamwork. Nothing makes an impact on stage without a performance. Natural talent may be one thing, but harnessing talent and drawing it out for all to enjoy is quite another skill – this is a role played by youth theatre. Performers need to memorise lines, understand character and plot, and generate empathy with the audience by interpreting the scriptwriter’s words in the way the director would like.

Backstage, there is a need for make-up, wardrobe, lighting, music, sound effects and scenery. Each of which is essential to getting a show on stage.

Many an actor started as a stagehand, watching from the wings, too nervous to speak in public. Many a shrinking violet blossomed after learning life skills in youth theatre.

Putting on a production is a team effort, drawing out the best in all involved, in those most invested in it’s success, in creating entertainment. l www.nayt.org.uk

Natural talent may be one thing, but harnessing talent and drawing it out for all to enjoy is quite another skill