Irwin Mitchell Funds Help Provide Dance Class For Youngsters With Disabilities

A local law firm has donated £1000 to a new Bristol project that will revolutionise opportunities for young people with disabilities and is set to become the biggest dedicated youth project in the South West when it opens later this year.

Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office have sponsored The Station, which will host a range of support services and performing space in the old Fire Station on Nelson Street in the city centre.

The donation has specifically gone to Creative Youth Network’s (CYN) Fusion Dance Project which is hosted by the CYN’s Urban Academy and the RE:act theatre company. The funds will help towards the running of an evening drama class at The Station providing a fun environment for young people with disabilities to engage with the arts outside of the school term and an opportunity for their families to meet and join in.

A performance by the youngsters is planned for the opening ceremony in October.
Jonathan Peacock, Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office, said: “The Station is a really exciting project that we are very proud to be involved with. We are delighted that the sponsorship we have given is going to such an innovative charity and we can’t wait to come and watch the group perform in their new studio.”

Georgina Trevor, Creative Learning Officer at Creative Youth Network, said: “Fusion dance has been running since 2010, but is the only service we have specifically for young people with disabilities.
“With the kind donation from Irwin Mitchell we are keen to start an Urban Academy evening drama class which will cater specifically for young people with additional needs leading to a performance at the opening of The Station.

“This would be a fantastic opportunity for a group to develop confidence and have a creative outlet with a solid outcome to be proud of. “

The Station is a multi-million pound visionary partnership project that will revolutionise opportunities for young people in Bristol and beyond when it opens in October this year.  The Station will be the biggest dedicated youth project in the South West aiming to bring together young people across Bristol.

The facilities on offer will include a 250 seat performance space (600 standing), recording studios, media suites, workshop spaces, café, chill-out spaces, a dance studio and a whole range of support services for young people.

Anusheh Ahmadi, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell said: “We are very excited to be sponsoring The Station and jumped at the opportunity to come and meet the dance group. Despite our poor attempts to learn some of the group’s routine we have had a fantastic time and can’t wait to see what the group can come up with in their new slick studio at The Station.”