Committee Member(s) for Wheelchair Dancing Class Community Group

Dancing on Wheels New Forest is an inclusive monthly Wheelchair Dancing Class meeting in the ballroom at New Milton Memorial Centre Whitefield Road New Milton BH25 6DE. We are led by two experienced dance tutors who create a lovely atmosphere with music and movement portraying a different monthly theme. We are currently supported by Culture in Common until March 2026, so fundraising is not a priority. 

I am the founder and Coordinator of Dancing on Wheels New Forest. As the mother of a 48 year old wheelchair user living in a local care home, I was keen to start a new activity after lockdown to get local wheelchair users together for a fun and sociable afternoon in a large accessible place. After researching the local area for wheelchair dancing, the nearest was in Winchester. So I set about contacting local care homes and others using wheelchairs and living at home, to establish an enthusiasm for the idea of a new wheelchair dancing class in New Milton. The name came from a hearty discussion of a small group of wheelchair users and their accompanying companions (usually a Support Worker or family member) in early 2023. We have had between 4 and 13 (average of 6) wheelchair users with their companions at every monthly session in the last 2 years. 

We are seeking one or two local people with an interest in supporting this group of wheelchair users through working on the Committee and from our Constitution: "To promote a creative, recreational activity through all forms of wheelchair dancing with likeminded people for their wellbeing and mutual support."

Skills

Dancing on Wheels New Forest is looking for new people to join the Committee in a general overall role. As a committee member you have an opportunity to help shape this community group of wheelchair users with new ideas and help to implement them. You will be expected to attend some monthly dance sessions and seek to find out what the dancers and their companions and dance tutors think about the current sessions and try out or find out new ideas from the group members themselves as well as making suggestions.

The number of Committee meetings per annum will depend on the involvement of the current members. So far it has been twice a year including the AGM. I send out a monthly email with reminders to Dancing members, Supporters (individuals, Care Home Managers, Committee Members) and Companions (the accompanying Support Worker or family member). I also send emails to the Committee members of new events and updates I think are relevant or decisions to be made only relevant to the Committee. We have a current Treasurer who oversees our finances. At this time, most other Committee members have a general role.

We are seeking new Committee members who may have:

• A keen interest in our community and dance / leisure activities.
  
• They possibly already have experience of living with a disability or knowledge of people using a wheelchair. 
  
• Are prepared to be involved with this wheelchair dance class and their dance tutors, working as a team to enhance the enjoyment of the class looking forwards.
  
• Previous Committee member experience.