Sessions give less able a voice

Every week a group of up to 40 adults with physical disabilities or special needs let their hair down.

The music in the community hall is turned up and they are given the opportunity to use drama, dance and other arts as a way to communicate and have fun.

Dance Therapy runs the weekly hour-long Dance For Us drop-in sessions in Onehunga and Henderson and is at capacity.

It is run by clinical therapist Angie Richardson and a mix of volunteers and assistants.

Dance Therapy operations and finance manager Stephen Dallow said since the programme started two years ago, the number of participants had just kept growing.

"It provides an opportunity for them to communicate through movement. Often verbal communication is an issue for many of our clients".

The participants attended with their carers and Dallow said this gave them an opportunity to explore other ways of communicating too.

"We are talking adults with some pretty high challenges in their lives. It gives them some beautiful ways to express themselves without any fear or worry. It's in a safe environment, it's a safe group. Everyone is there on the same sort of spectrum."

And there was always a lot of fun and laughter to be had, he said.

Dallow said the popular classes were at capacity and Auckland Airport's $10,000 means they can run an extra class at each of the two venues next year.

The classes celebrated the end of year by putting on a performance titled Where the Wild Things Are, which was an interpretation of some Crowded House songs which they danced to in costumes.

Auckland Airport general manager people and safety Anna Cassels-Brown said Dance Therapy was chosen because "it connects people and gives them opportunities to express their creative personality".