A dance company in Haringey is proving inspirational to vulnerable children.

Nancy Ncube who is co-founder of ‘Umzimba’ - taken from a South African word meaning 'the body' - fuses contemporary dance, African dance and hip-hop to children and teenagers from all walks of life who may feel alone or find it difficult to integrate.

An experienced ballet performer, Nancy, who has an MA in Dance Movement and Psychotherapy, runs Umzimba with Miles Malaba.

Originally from Zimbabwe Miles is trained in Southern Africa cultural dance and street dance styles.

Nancy, explained: “We are very much a community orientated school. We aim to reach out to and work with a diverse range of young people.

“It’s an inclusive practise where the classes are equally suitable for disabled and non-disabled children and teenagers.

“Many of the young people who come here see the classes as an antidote to their school education, where they have to sit down for a long time. And many who come to us are in a vulnerable situation.

“We see a lot of children who are in care or foster care or who have been adopted.

“For them it’s been a real lifeline; a place to find this different support.”

Umzimba Dance Theatre offers classes at the Lordship Recreation Hub in Tottenham and Park View School on West Green Road.

Classes are open to people of all abilities.

Nancy, continued: “I think many people who do well with us may be struggling with school or they are not your neuro-typical learner.

“They might come here because they’re really yearning for – and really need – that different way of learning.

“For some it’s all to do with social integration.

“We have parents of children with disabilities who have said to being their child to a main stream class was absolutely petrifying.

“’Not only have they coped but they’ve absolutely thrived’, that’s a direct quote from Facebook.

“It’s really a relational space, and over time the young people who are coming to us form really strong peer networks which builds resilience and networks that is so valuable.

“Our intention for young people is for them to emerge as themselves and to have an enriching learning experience that reaches far beyond themselves.

“I’ve seen so many young people come here.

“Not only are they thriving in terms of their self-esteem and their sense of social inclusion and integration, but they’re also thriving in terms of virtuosity.”

For more information about Umzimba visit www.unzimba.co.uk , email admin@umzimba.co.uk or telephone Nancy on 07496905611.