The group – based in Ladbroke Grove - will use the vital grant to pay for a special Soca tutoring for older participants in the area to improve the former's mental health… and get them ready perform in a dance event on the day before the Notting Hill carnival.
Soca is an energetic and upbeat dance which originated in the Caribbean and contains elements of African and Indian rhythms.
Organisers say the £2,000 funding - from Flutter’s Cash4Clubs scheme - will allow them to hold the sessions for around 15 older participants - an initiative that helps members improve their mental health.
The hope is that the fruits of the club’s weekly sessions – taught by a Soca dance expert – will be showcased at Portobello Nights festival – a warmup for the Notting Hill Carnival on August 21.
Ximena Chiesa, activities and events manager at Age UK, said: “This funding is a godsend. It will give our members a chance to experience something they never usually would – Soca dancing. Soca dancing is quite fast-paced so is not only great for a new experience but it’s wonderful for being mobile.
“However, it is expensive to get a tutor and this money will allow us to do that. It will allow around 15 of our members to join in. It will be great for their mental health and gives them something extra positive in their life.
“I know that they will really enjoy the weekly sessions and the goal is to take them to the carnival where they’ll exhibit what they’ve learned. It’s wonderful and we couldn’t have done it without the funding.”
Flutter UKI funds Cast4Clubs and has selected 200 winners from across the country as recipients of £2,000 worth of funding to help drive participation in sports and wellbeing, improve facilities and run coaching programmes.
Since the Cash4Clubs initiative was launched in 2008, nearly £6.5 million has been invested into community sports by Flutter UKI.
Last year, over 40,000 people across 50 different sports and activities benefitted from the Cash4Clubs fund. Almost 85% of those clubs funded were from lower socio-economic groups.
Other clubs in London to have received vital grants from the Flutter Cash4Clubs funding initiative include Age UK Lambeth, Single Homeless Project, Step Up 2 Fitness, Friends with Diabetes UK, Haringey Borough Women FC, Inglis Netball Club, Legacy Foundation Global CIC, London Stags RFC, Mile Rainbow C.I.C, Misgav, One to One Enfield, Raphael Rowe Foundation, Run Walk Lewisham and The Ernest Foundation.
Age UK Kensington and Chelsea supports elderly people in the West London community and helps prevent loneliness among older residents.
Ximena said that the project will include elderly people – all of whom are over 55 and some suffer from dementia and physical difficulties. Classes will take place at Age UK’s accommodation in Earl’s Court.
Ximena said: “The carnival in August will feature Soca dance performances, and the grant will fund the tutor and other expenses of getting to the carnival.
“We aim to break stereotypes and build relationships between different age groups. We feel dance really does that. We see our elderly members coming away with great big grins on their faces. It is such fun for them.”
Flutter UKI CEO Kevin Harrington, said: “The Cash4Clubs initiative is a key part of our group’s global commitment to improve the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030 as part of our Positive Impact Plan. Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and Ireland, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help these smaller organisations continue to make a big difference to people’s lives.
“Last year we doubled our funding from £200,000 to £400,000 after receiving so many applications. The number of clubs needing financial assistance continues to grow, which indicates the real value these grants have for local grassroots organisations, many of which are existing on a shoestring.”
Now a new round of applications for grants – like the one received by Age UK – will be available to other community clubs and charities in London later this year.