Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
SOUL STUDIO: Move Without Limits
Belfast, United Kingdom
Closing soon
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Aim
A new 12-week programme helping disadvantaged girls in West Belfast try dance for the first time, build confidence and get active.
Who are we?
Soul studio is a community organisation based in West Belfast, with a purpose to provide dance and arts programmes for the wider benefit of the community locally in areas of west Belfast.
We operate a multifunctional dance space which aims to open many opportunities for disadvantaged people and communities locally across Belfast.
Much of our activities includes- Performing arts, - Dance, - Cultural Expression, - Activities for all ages, abilities and interests. Our beneficiaries includes young people, persons who are not in education, employment or training (and find sanctuary in the creative arts), persons suffering from mental health issues, the elderly and persons with a disability.
Our programmes also attract many people from the across communities, which encourages them to be more confident in a new environment and integrate into local society by mixing with others etc (especially those from across the traditional community divide here in Belfast).
Much of our programmes help build confidence, increase self-esteem, and develop new skills for everyone’s personal gain and growth. Our daily programmes encourage active participation across the divide and encourages inclusion through neutral activities.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to deliver a new 12-week beginner dance programme for 30 disadvantaged girls from West Belfast 10 to 18 years old who have never taken part in dance before. The programme will provide two 90-minute sessions each week, delivering 24 structured sessions in total.
During weeks 1 and 2, participants will learn basic movement, rhythm, coordination and safe warm-up techniques. Weeks 3 to 5 will introduce different dance styles and help each young person develop core skills. During weeks 6 to 8, participants will work in small groups to create routines, build teamwork and improve confidence. Weeks 9 to 11 will focus on rehearsing a final group performance, with week 12 concluding in a community showcase for families and local residents.
Funding will cover qualified dance tutors, studio hire, marketing costs for outreach and recruitment, some project equipment and refreshments.
We aim for at least 24 participants to complete nine or more weeks, 80% to report improved physical activity and movement, and 70% to continue participating in dance or another physical activity after the programme ends.
Creating Opportunities in Sport
Our project directly aligns with Creating Opportunities by providing a new and additional dance and physical activity programme for disadvantaged young people from West Belfast who are currently underrepresented in organised activity.
The 12-week programme will engage 30 girls in particular who have never participated in dance before. Participants will attend two 90-minute sessions each week, receiving 36 hours of structured physical activity in total. Sessions will develop movement, rhythm, coordination, fitness, teamwork and confidence, before participants create and perform a final group routine.
The project will remove key barriers to participation by offering all sessions free of charge, delivering activity in an accessible local venue and using targeted outreach across Andersonstown, and surrounding communities here in West Belfast. This will make participation more accessible for young people affected by financial disadvantage, low confidence and limited access to structured activities.
The project supports Creating Opportunities by increasing participation, promoting inclusion and helping to level the playing field for girls living in an area of greatest need who want to take part in dance but dont have the opportunity to do so currently.
How we’ll spend the money raised
All funds raised will go towards the following. If we raise £1,667 Sport NI will add £5,000! So our fundraising target is £6,667
Qualified Dance Tutors: £3,840: Lead dance tutor: 24 sessions × 2 hours × £45 per hour = £2,160; Assistant dance tutor: 24 sessions × 2 hours × £35 per hour = £1,680. Each allocation includes preparation, delivery and participant support for the 90-minute session.
Studio Hire: £1,440: 24 sessions × 2 hours × £30 per hour = £1,440; This includes time for set-up, the 90-minute session and close-down.
Marketing, Outreach and Recruitment: £500: Graphic design: £100; Flyers and posters: £150; Targeted social media promotion: £200; Community outreach materials: £50
Shared Project Equipment: £887: Portable sound system: £300; 20 shared exercise mats: £300; 30 resistance bands: £150; Dance props and floor markers: £87;
Equipment storage boxes: £50
Community impact
We provide an accessible, welcoming space for people from across West Belfast and the wider city. Our daily dance programmes benefit children, young people, people not in education, employment or training, older people, people with disabilities and those experiencing poor mental health.
Our multifunctional venue is used for dance, creative arts, cultural expression, workshops, rehearsals, community events and cross-community projects. We engage participants from across West Belfast but also North and partner with groups in East Belfast cross-community.
Our activities improve physical activity, confidence, self-esteem, creativity and social connection. They also provide a positive alternative for young people who may have limited access to structured opportunities. By delivering neutral and inclusive activities, we bring together people from different backgrounds, help participants feel comfortable in new environments and strengthen relationships across Belfast’s traditional community divide, building stronger, healthier and more connected local communities.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 18th September 2026 at 11:52am