Attracting crowds that have swelled from 60 to 200 people, Waves Inclusive Dance Party officially celebrated its second birthday, Friday 21 June at Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford.
Attracting crowds that have swelled from 60 to 200 people, Waves Inclusive Dance Party officially celebrated its second birthday, Friday 21 June at Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford.
The over 18’s inclusive dance parties, held quarterly, have become a regular fixture on Central Coast calendars, since the idea was first brought life by an inspired group of young people in 2022.
Social Futures’ Central Coast Community Development Coordinator, Scott Jones, sits on a Working Group alongside six other Central Coast people who live with disability, volunteering their time to ensure the ongoing success of the event.
Scott said people come from all over the Central Coast and even further afield to attend,
“We’ve had people from northern Sydney come, and people from Newcastle come down.”
“There is talk of a bus load of people from Sydney who want to come to our next dance after this one.”
Scott, who has lived experience of disability, said the working group is very hands on,
“We meet monthly and undertake a range of tasks from communicating with stakeholders, to arranging promotion of the events.
“Everyone has their role to play, each bringing their own talents and experience, learning from each other, and working together to support the events with things like planning, social media, decorating the venue and welcoming attendees.”
Social Futures’ support for the Waves Working Group encompasses cultivating a range of on-the-job style capacity building activities.
“In the past 12 months this has included developing public speaking skills, doing radio interviews, and completion of a grant writing course.
The not-for-profit event has grown significantly since the inaugural dance in June 2022, and organisers see firsthand the heartfelt responses from the community.
“When Waves first started, we had parents outside the door sitting out at the tables and they were crying, saying ‘I never thought my child would ever be able to do this sort of thing,’” said Mr Jones.
Scott expressed gratitude on behalf of the Waves working group, to longtime supporters Central Coast Leagues Club and the Rotary Club of Terrigal, without them these events would not be possible.
With calls to expand the Waves Inclusive Dance Party footprint, annual corporate sponsorship opportunities are now open. Expressions of interest can be emailed to [email protected]
The event offers an inclusive and friendly space for people of all abilities to come together and have a great time. Visit the Waves Inclusive Dance Party Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076522927221