16 February 2010
Young girls from Islington and Hackney will be showcasing their acrobatics skills at the Studio Theatre in Islington at 7pm on Friday 19 February 2010.
The girls will showcase skills learnt as part of a project called Strong and Flying, led by world-class acrobatics, dance and theatre company, Mimbre. The aim of the project is to build confidence among girls aged 8 – 12 living in Southern Housing Group social housing in Islington and Hackney.
Strong and Flying is funded by ROSA, the UK Fund for equality and justice for women and girls, and delivered by Southern Housing Group. The 20-strong team of budding acrobats has been training with Mimbre since October 2009. Activities involve learning acrobatics and acrobalance (human pyramids), as well as facilitated body confidence discussions, with special sessions involving the girls’ mothers or carers.
Lina Johansson, Mimbre’s joint Artistic Director, says:
“The girls are really excited to perform on Friday. We’ve had a girls-only group in mind for years and were really excited to be given the chance to form Strong and Flying. For acrobalance you need people of all sizes and you can invent new pyramids to fit people’s abilities – an ideal way to deal with body-image and promote a better outlook about the ‘ideal body’. Feedback from the children and parents has been enormously positive.”
Dionne Johnson, Southern Housing Group‘s Senior Community Regeneration Officer, says:
“We are delighted with the impact that the all-girl acrobatics group is having in Islington and Hackney. Involving girls in exciting new activities has proved an excellent way to improve their confidence. Experience has taught us that investing in people is as important as building homes, and we look forward to seeing the future successes of Strong and Flying.”
The project is part of a London-wide health and lifestyle initiative called Activate London, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and a Consortium of Housing Associations led by the Peabody Trust.
To find out more about Mimbre or Strong and Flying contact Mimbre’s Education Projects Manager, Jenny Maddox, on education@mimbre.co.uk or 07968 014 760.