Xscape Partners with UDOIT to Raise Awareness on Anti-Social Behaviour

The creation of a new long-term partnership between Xscape Milton Keynes and the UDOIT Dance Foundation aims to raise awareness around the effects of knife crime and how it can impact young people’s lives.

Established in 2014, the UDOIT Dance Foundation originally focussed on trying to increase the number of young people interested in getting involved with street dance. They have now evolved to work with schools to try and combat many issues that affect the lives of young people, including anxiety and mental health problems, confidence issues and knife violence. Their educational activities and workshops are centred around dance and young people expressing themselves.

In announcing this strategic partnership with Xscape Milton Keynes, the two organisations will work together over the coming months to help engage young people into thinking about how knife crime can affect lives. One decision can change a life forever.

The UDOIT team will be on site for regular sessions at Xscape to help spread this message by talking directly to young people and encouraging them to take part in their workshops, and to sign the ‘Knife Crime Pledge’ – not to carry a knife. The UDOIT team believe that dance can truly unite people and gives them positive, fulfilling experiences, which in turn keeps them away from the dangers of knife crime.

Nick Coppock, Xscape Milton Keynes General Manager, commented, “Our partnership with UDOIT aims to make a real difference. Reaching out into the community and talking to young people direct about their personal experiences and how they can take an active part in shaping their own future. We have already held one session on site and the feedback from our customers has been really positive. We’re ready to be a part of the change needed in society to help curb the knife crime epidemic within our community.”

Caroline Fallis Taylor, South East Manager at UDOIT, commented, “Street Dance is such a popular art form amongst young people. Socially, it enables them to gain artistic skills, improves discipline and helps to develop their abilities in social interaction, teamwork, problem solving, observing, evaluation and verbal and nonverbal communications. We are really excited to be collaborating with Xscape Milton Keynes to give young people a safe space to learn and a platform to perform where they can grow as individuals. We are passionate about helping young people and we can’t think of anywhere better to be able to showcase young people through dance than Xscape Milton Keynes. They too unite many diverse people together through their many different leisure activities and we believe this will be a strong collaboration.”

To find out when the next UDOIT session is and to keep up to date with all the latest information at www.xscapemiltonkeynes.co.uk or follow Xscape Milton Keynes on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.