Sally Lewis & Heidi Wilson - Independent Reviewers for Wales Wide Training Programme
Rubicon Dance is delighted to announce that Sally Lewis and Heidi Wilson have been selected as the joint independent reviewers who will help guide a redevelopment process aiming to provide the Welsh community dance sector with a professional training programme that fully supports the evolving needs of our national ecosystem. We are confident that their enormous expertise and experience in the sector will ensure that the many varied voices of artists and organisations are properly represented and supported to engage in the process of dreaming up a bright and sustainable future for community dance in Wales.
"We’re really excited to be undertaking this Independent Review of the Wales Wide Training Programme at a vital time for the community dance sector in Wales. We are committed to consulting as widely as possible, reaching out and inviting stakeholders from all backgrounds to contribute. So whether you’re an aspiring, early career or established community dance practitioner; whether you’re freelance or work for an organisation; whether you work in a rural or urban location; whether Cymraeg is integral to your practice or incidental; whether you are a disabled artist, neurodivergent or from a global majority background, we want to hear from you!"
The Review aims to:
- evaluate the current training available to community dance practitioners via the Wales Wide Training Programme;
- make recommendations for a re-imagined future training offer – one that builds on current strengths, reflects sector needs and is shaped by your ideas and views;
- take stock of the current community dance landscape in Wales, the factors affecting it and the workforce that sustains it.
How can I get involved?
Over the next 4 months - from August to November, there will be a number of ways to feed in and help shape this review. You can respond to the sector survey; attend a focus group; provide feedback on training events as well as express your views through individual interviews and conversations. The final report, findings and recommendations will be completed by late November.
The link to the survey along with further details about how to get involved will be shared widely on social media and by email from early August. You can also get in touch with us direct at wwtp-review@sallylewis.uk
Have your say and be part of shaping the future of community dance training in Wales.
The Independent Reviewers
Sally is a freelance consultant with experience of working across the arts, health and education sectors. Sally’s involvement in dance began at Sadler’s Wells Theatre where she worked on the Education and Community programme before managing London’s Youth Dance Network. On returning home to Wales, Sally worked at the Arts Council of Wales, supporting arts organisations and artists nationally and leading on Arts and Health. She now works independently to support organisations with programme design and project management; building cross-sector partnerships and strategic development. She also undertakes commissioned field research, scoping studies and evaluations.
Heidi is an academic and community dance practitioner. She has been working in Wales since 1995, including 20 years with Dawns Powys Dance developing work in schools and communities. In 2003, Heidi joined colleagues to launch the degree BA (Hons) Dance at UWIC (now Cardiff Metropolitan University). Heidi divides her time between university and working freelance as a community dancer and in practice development and evaluation. Her areas of interest are broad, but a particular focus is on Dancing with Parkinson’s. Heidi is involved in shaping this evolving specialism as it matures in the UK. Recent commissioned evaluation includes InVisible Dances, Tŷ Hafan with dancers Sally Varrall and Esther KilBride, and Rubicon’s Dance to Health programme with CAVUHB and third sector partners.
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