North East Dance CIC, the organisation which promotes healthy lifestyles through dance, is celebrating after receiving over £7,000 in funding from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme (CCIP).

The funds, which total £7,362, will be used by the community interest company to employ a Sessional Worker who will deliver the ‘Health and Learning Opportunities’ (HALO) programme in Brandon, County Durham over the next 48 weeks.

The professionally qualified recruit will work with women that have experienced domestic abuse and are living in challenging circumstances, delivering group discussions, fitness activities and workbooks in order to improve their health and wellbeing.

Those that attend the sessions will be taught how to recognise the behaviours behind different types of abuse and how to improve their own emotional resilience in the face of difficulties. The programme will also give them the knowledge and skills needed to live independent lives and undertake training and employment opportunities in the future.

By focusing on attendee’s own social networks, North East Dance CIC will help to tackle feelings of social isolation and exclusion, helping local women to nurture and manage relationships and feel more comfortable in social situations.

Deloris Martin, CEO for North East Dance CIC, comments: “Through the HALO programme we’re able to work with women from across the community in a safe and comfortable environment, rebuilding their confidence and helping them to readjust to everyday life following an abusive relationship.”

“Now we’ve received the funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust we can reach out to even more people in Brandon and the surrounding area, making sure they receive the support which they desperately need.”