Community
Serving the local community
In 2022, we moved into our new global headquarters on York Road, Battersea, with better facilities for our members, students, teachers, examiners, and staff. But we are also committed to making our new building a home for our local community.
This means making sure that the people of Wandsworth know who we are and what we do, as well as feeling welcome to get involved in our activities and events. We recognise that residents, groups, and organisations are the experts on what works successfully in our area, and so we really want to hear from you.
Please get in contact with Ike, our Community Partnership Builder, if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback on how we can connect with our neighbours in Wandsworth.
For individuals
We want to encourage those closest to us to get involved with us. There are different ways to do this, whether you’re into dance or not.
For schools
If you would like your school to connect with us, there are a few different ways in which we’re getting involved with Wandsworth schools.
For artists and organisations
We love to get involved with local artists, companies, and organisations. Watch this space for new opportunities.
Other opportunities
We have a few different ways that artists, companies, or organisations can connect with us. Get in touch and watch this space for new opportunities.
Calling all dance groups and companies in Wandsworth!
We’re inviting you to be part of our community celebration at Wandsworth Fringe 2025!
Join us for our fourth annual Community Day on Sunday, 22 June, from 12 to 4 pm, at our headquarters in Battersea. This special event is a chance to connect, celebrate, and showcase the incredible diversity of dance in our borough. Together, let’s highlight the transformative power of dance in our community!
As part of the day, we’re hosting a dance showcase featuring local artists, companies, and community groups of all styles*, ages, and experience levels under the theme:
Proud of who you are!
Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established company, we want to see your work. Please note that this is a family-friendly event, so all performances should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
Further information
What we’re looking for
- Short pieces: Up to 10 minutes (including introduction).
- Group size: Up to 15 dancers.
- Performance times: Two sessions (1 – 2 pm and 3 – 4 pm). Groups must be available for both.
- Rehearsal: A short rehearsal opportunity will be available on the morning of the event. Groups should arrive by 10 am.
More information
Our studio theatre will host the showcase, with free entry for audiences (advance booking required).
*Please note: Our stage is equipped with specialist flooring suitable for ballet shoes, trainers, or bare feet. If your performance requires other footwear, contact us to discuss.
Interested? Here’s how to apply:
Complete the form below by Friday, 28 February. Don’t worry if some details aren’t finalised – just fill out the form as best you can. For any questions, please email Ike at idenloye@rad.org.uk
Apply now
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Previous Community Days and Events
For individuals
We want to encourage those closest to us to get involved with us. There are several ways that you could do this, whether you want to connect regularly, or even if you don’t want to dance.
Our dance school runs a variety of weekly dance classes for all ages. We will also be hosting events throughout the year that will be open to the public.
If you are interested in helping us make decisions about how the RAD can connect with the community, you can join our Arts Action Group. We also have an RAD membership category which can give you benefits like discounts in our café and renting spaces at our headquarters for your own events.
Dance school bursary
Although we understand what dance means to you physically and mentally, we also know that not everyone has the means to enjoy it regularly. So, we have started a dance school bursary programme, which offers financial support to Wandsworth residents to attend our classes.
Find out how you can donate to support our bursary programme.
Older learner discount
We also understand how beneficial dance can be for older people, offering the chance to socialise and enjoy movement designed for them. As such, we offer discounts on all of our classes for older learners at our headquarters, these include:
RAD membership
At our core, we are a membership organisation, so whether you are a dance teacher, are interested in dance, or just someone who lives locally – we have something for you. We have a discount on our RAD Membership and RAD Membership Plus for residents at an address in the following postcodes: SW11 1, SW11 2, SW11 3, SW11 4, or SW11 5.
Find out more about membership.
For schools
We want to reach more local children, and one of the best ways to do this is through schools. You can help us decide how best to connect with local schools by joining our Arts Action Group.
STEP
Step into Dance is an inclusive dance programme we run in secondary schools and youth groups across London and Essex. In partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, we offer regular dance classes that support the development of dance for young people, reaching those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. We want the schools and youth groups closest to us to take part in the programme, so we are offering bursaries for those in Wandsworth, who are struggling financially.
RADiate
RADiate provides subsidised inclusive dance classes with specialised Dance Artists, to children with additional learning needs. The project works with children and young people on the autism spectrum, those with behavioural, emotional or social difficulties, and those with learning difficulties.
RADiate sessions take place in both mainstream and SEND-focused Primary schools and we’re hoping to increase the amount happening in our local schools.
DDMIX
We have partnered with DDMIX Trust, who have created a full-body dance fitness workout based on a range of dance styles with easy-to-follow steps, choreographed by Dame Darcey Bussell DBE and Nathan Clarke.
Last year we held two DDMIX dance festivals, inviting five primary school classes to come and have a taster of the exciting programme. We hope to continue hosting them, so if you would like to be put on a waiting list for the next one, please email our Community Partnership builder.
Community Tours
If you’d like your class like to visit our headquarters and see what we do, why not book a community tour?
Last January, we partnered with the Nine Elms Arts Ministry to host our first community tour for four local groups. This saw a primary school class, a youth club, and a group of older people, visit our headquarters. The tour started with a short presentation, a trip around the building, and an activity where our guests designed a bag while thinking about what dance meant to them.
Community Dance Partners
As much as we love having our community dance with us at our headquarters, we know that it’s not possible for everyone. We want to partner with local artists, organisations, and groups to increase accessibility to dance. We want to co-create and support local dance or movement-based pilot projects for Wandsworth residents. The project would need to explore something new through dance, working with a new group, and a different genre, in a new space.
For artists and organisations
We are always amazed at the wealth of artists and culture in our local area and want to make sure that we contribute to it by collaborating with and supporting them. We also appreciate all of the incredible service providers championing various groups within the community. We have a few different ways that local artists, companies or organisations can connect with us (shown below). Watch this space for new opportunities.
If you are interested in helping us make decisions about how the RAD can connect with its community you can join our Arts Action Group.
Wandsworth Arts Fringe
Every summer, the Wandsworth Arts Service puts together the Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF), a two-week festival of arts and culture throughout the borough. Every year we’re excited to see the borough buzzing with even more energy and life and we are always open to hosting artists at our headquarters. If you’re interested in hiring our space for WAF – or any other time – take a look to see what we have available.
Get in contact
If you would like more information on bookings for a community event, and getting involved more with us, please email our community partnership builder, Ike.
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