Ipswich's leading dance organisation has applied for over £2,000 in funding for workshops aimed at children and adults with disabilities.

DanceEast is seeking a total of £2,675 from three Ipswich Borough Council area committees for its Springboard junior and adult programmes at Jerwood House.

These are weekly term-time dance classes support disabled people make dance movements best suited to their ability. 

In addition to the Springboard junior and adult programmes, DanceEast would run 10 outreach sessions over the spring and summer for up to 13 participants.

Funding would allow the classes to run for one year.

The total cost of the project is just over £10,000, including the payment of lead and assistant dance artists and studio space.

A DanceEast spokesperson said: "Springboard is unique in that it provides participants with the opportunity and space to explore their own movement abilities and styles, without the pressure of a finished product but with emphasis on exercising their creativity and independence on a regular basis."

DanceEast has been running these sessions since 2013 but has seen a dip in participants since the pandemic.

They say that the grant would not only help them continue these classes but also be able to reach out to communities that may want access to the classes but are unaware of it.

Additionally, DanceEast believes that dance can be a physical activity that has a "vital and life-enhancing power".

Through their various classes, they have been able to engage with people from different backgrounds and help them.

"Springboard is a targeted provision and equity is at the core of the programme design and delivery," DanceEast wrote in their application to the council. 

The Central Area Committee will be the first to discuss the application on Wednesday will consider a funding request for £1,337.50.

The company has asked for £668.75 from the borough's north-east and south-west area committee, where classes are organised. 

If the the grant is approved the dance collective will be able to fund sessions running from the 2024 autumn term to the summer of 2025.