Children in Need has awarded funding to a local circus organisation to finance workshops for the underprivileged youth of Cardiff
The company teaches circus skills at all levels, whether you’re an aspiring acrobat or want to pick up a new hobby (Image credit: NoFit State Ltd)
A local circus company has become the latest recipient of charity funding to benefit young people in the area.
In June Children in Need awarded £16,206 worth of funding to NoFit State, based in Adamsdown. The money donated will enable it to offer free workshops to young people in underprivileged areas of Cardiff.
NoFit State Ltd offers classes on all things circus from acrobatics and handstands, to trapeze and ribbon work.
“Our classes are very broad for whoever might be interested in trying something new or to learn a new skill. Some people just do it for fun and recreation,” says Anna Searle, NoFit State’s development assistant.
Performance workshops are offered to people of all ages (Image credit: Craig Kirkwood)
The company was originally set up in 1986 by five friends who had been part of a juggling group during university. Since then the circus has put on countless performances around the world to critical acclaim.
With this new series of Children in Need workshops, NoFit State hopes to inspire the younger generation, particularly those from a low-income background.
“Often we’ll be going out into areas where we can provide free workshops so people can get involved if they have not been able to otherwise. We try and make them more accessible by taking them out there, often on the streets as well,” explains Anna.
Sessions have been implemented in areas of Cardiff in which there are consistently small areas of deprivation according to the Welsh Government, such as Splott, Grangetown, Butetown and Adamsdown. Over the next two years the donations will fund 24 workshops aimed at around 600 participants in these areas.
Exercise offered in underprivileged areas has been shown to have an impact that these workshops will provide. A study in 2015 by the London School of Economics Housing and Communities unit found that involvement in sport can keep young people motivated and out of trouble