City of Swan funds 20-week hip-hop program at Midland PCYC

Young people aged 7 to 17 are about to start their second term of hip-hop classes at Midland PCYC next week, thanks to a $7,000 community grant from the City of Swan.

The hip-hop classes provide at-risk young people with a free structured recreational activity to build social connections, promote self-expression, and encourage physical activity in a supportive environment.

The program addresses two key issues affecting young people in the Midland area, poor mental health and a lack of recreational activities, which were identified by young people during consultations with the City of Swan as part of their Youth Strategy.

Hip-hop, a popular dance and music genre with young people, has many positive benefits including building resilience, enhancing physical and cognitive well-being and increasing social connections. Young people also feel a sense of belonging when attending dance classes which is a key contributor to strong mental health.

Midland Centre Manager, Amanda Dow, stated, “I noticed the young people becoming more confident as the term progressed. They're more comfortable when arriving at the centre, they happily stop to say hello and chat with staff members. The hip-hop instructor runs an engaging class and makes it easy for young people to follow the steps.”

“We're really looking forward to Term 2 when the dance students will have the opportunity to perform in the skill showcase at the end of the program.”

Classes run on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30pm at Midland PCYC and are open to all young people between the ages of 7 to 17.