For 25 years, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre (ZoieLogic) has helped thousands of boys and young men to move for their mental and physical health, and supported boys’ development through dance. Now, the company has one mission: sustain Fuzzy, the company’s foundational programmes for boys. ZoieLogic desperately needs extra support to sustain Fuzzy into the future, so they have launched a Crowdfunder campaign. All funds raised will go towards teachers, facilitators, rehearsal spaces, production costs, set and costumes.
Since founder and CEO Zoie Golding MBE first spotted a bunch of guys backflipping off a bench at a local school in 2000 – the moment that sparked her to launch a youth dance company – ZoieLogic Dance Theatre has given life to three youth programmes: FuzzyVision, for boys aged 6 to 17, FuzzyClear, accessible dance for young men with autism and learning or development differences, and FuzzyLogic, a nationally acclaimed touring and performance company for young men and boys to excel in dance and creativity.
The Fuzzy programmes help boys build confidence, connection, and strength during crucial developmental years; serve as a positive, creative, and inclusive alternative to traditional, often sports-based, activities for boys; prepare young people for pathways in the arts, dance, physical theatre, and movement; help boys develop skills in leadership, teamwork, and resilience; and provide a safe, inclusive, sensory-considerate dance space for young people with autism and other developmental and sensory differences.
Golding says, “Now, more than ever, it is vital that youth support is sustained – especially for young men, whose mental health is nearing crisis and whose social and personal lives are being increasingly affected by things like peer pressure and social media.
“With Fuzzy, we offer safe, aspirational and non-competitive environments in which boys can connect with each other, develop confidence, curiosity and creativity, find their self-expression, learn about different methods of communicating, and build their wellbeing in ways that are relevant and empowering.
“Many of our participants show improved emotional resilience, teamwork, a stronger sense of self-worth, and improved life skills. We are nurturing emotionally intelligent, socially engaged young men who challenge stereotypes, inspire their peers, and shape their communities with empathy and creativity.
“Sadly, the grim reality is that the funding landscape is getting more and more competitive, while the stats around the mental health of boys and men are getting worse. We know – and have seen firsthand – the benefits that come with dance programmes for boys and desperately want to continue our work in this area.”
For further information and to support the crowdfunding campaign, which hopes to attract £10,000 in donations by the end of February, visit the Crowdfunder website or the Zoielogic Dance Theatre website. Also see, ManMade by ZoieLogic.
