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Pavilion Dance South West secures £200k funding award to create 3 year community programme with local charity creating 2 new jobs
PDSW has secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to launch a community programme in partnership with Poole Communities Trust.
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Pavilion Dance South West (PDSW) is delighted to have secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for a new three-year partnership with Poole Communities Trust, creating two new Assistant Producer job roles to deliver an inspiring community initiative in the local Poole area.
Rooted in shared values of creativity, empowerment, and community wellbeing, the partnership brings together two local charities that aim to increase access to opportunities for children, young people, and families in the local area. By working alongside local residents, listening to their voices, and what their needs are the project seeks to inspire greater participation in dance, movement and cultural activity — and to celebrate the joy and lasting benefits that creativity can bring.
The initiative will focus on 2 local areas in Poole, Dorset including Bourne Valley and Turlin Moor,with the aim of:
- Improving physical health through fun, accessible dance and movement activities
- Enhancing mental wellbeing by bringing people together and creating opportunities to learn new skills
- Reducing social isolation and creating lasting positive memories through the arts
Two Assistant Producers have been recruited from Bourne Valley and Turlin Moor and take up their roles in November 2026. They will receive full training and support from Pavilion Dance South West and Poole Communities Trust and together, they will help build stronger local connections and champion creative engagement in their communities.
Helen Keall, Executive Director Joint CEO at Pavilion Dance South West, said:
“We’re delighted to have secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and to be working in partnership with Poole Communities Trust — an organisation that shares our values and commitment to increase access to opportunities and work deeply within local communities. Through our expertise in dance and movement, we bring a host of benefits to local people, helping to improve health, confidence, and connection. We are also excited to welcome the two new Assistant Producers who will bring the voice of their community into the heart of Pavilion Dance and help shape our work for years to come.”
Katie Jeffries, Charity Manager, Poole Communities Trust, added:
“This partnership is an exciting opportunity to celebrate creativity and community spirit in 2 local Poole communities. And we’re thrilled to have local voices at the heart of the project with the appointment of 2 local assistant producers to ensure residents are at the centre of what is created. We look forward to supporting residents to get involved, finding out what challenges they face and support increased community participation and a lasting difference.”
POOLE COMMUNITIES TRUST work in three key areas, each shaped by local needs and voices, providing opportunities, activities and support that bring people together. Whilst Poole is well known for its fabulous beaches and some successful businesses, there are also significant inequalities and the charity works hard to support those areas that need it most including those recognised as being in the top 10% deprived areas in England.
www.poolecommunitiestrust.org.uk
ESMÉE FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION aims to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. We unlock change by contributing everything we can alongside people and organisations with brilliant ideas who share our goals. The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK. In 2024, we provided £48.8m in funding towards a wide range of work in support of our aims. We also provide social and impact investment for organisations with the aim of creating social and environmental impact.
PAVILION DANCE SOUTH WEST is a registered charity (1111641) dedicated to transforming communities through dance. We offer dance experiences that are relevant, diverse, inclusive, and captivating. Our seaside creative hub in Bournemouth is home to our dancing community, with our historic seafront building home to two modern dance studios and a 197-seat theatre.
Through theatre and outdoor performances, weekly dance classes, in-school workshops, social dance events, screenings, and many other activities, we welcome people of all backgrounds to experience the embodied joy of dancing.