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Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC August 2025 Newsletter
Hello and welcome to our August 2025 Newsletter,
This newsletter will update you on all things Keep Dancing.
Your continued support choosing to keep dancing with us every week is greatly appreciated.
Should you ever have feedback about a piece of music or particular dance please always do get in touch.
- In this month’s Newsletter:
- – Keep Dancing August 2025
- – Congratulations to Faye!
- – 🎸 Black Sabbath Tribute – Ballet & Exhibition 🎭
- – Search Bar
- – Payment Details for Keep Dancing classes
- – National Day of Grief August 2025
- – Friends First
- – Julie has taken to the Skies – for Myeloma UK! ✈️💪
- – Throwback Thursday – 1977
- – Could you be a hidden carer?
- – ISE
- – Mental Health Support
- – Keeping In Touch
- – Wish You Were Here August 2025
- – The Shires Moseley Tea Dance
- – Support Our Research August 2025
- – Resources for Carers
- – Keep Active – activities near you
- – NEW DANCER discounts
- – Dates for your diary
- – EasyFundraising
- – Benefits of Street Dancing for your Physical and Mental Health
- – September’s Keep Dancing Dances
Keep Dancing August 2025!
Keep Dancing August 2025 was all about Street Dance and Rock n Roll Dance.
This month all of our lovely classes gave themselves an awesome street dance crew name!
Fancy having a boogie at home to August 2025 Keep Dancing playlist? Or perhaps you fancy that extra bit of practice on certain moves?
Follow the link here to be taken to August 2025 songs on the playlist!
Congratulations to Faye!
🎉 Exciting news! Over the past two years, Faye has been working hard towards her Master’s in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at the University of Derby, and we’re thrilled to share that she has officially passed! 💃🧠
This amazing achievement means we can now offer Dance Movement Psychotherapy as an additional service.
While many of you already find our dance sessions therapeutic and uplifting, Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) is a professional form of therapy that goes much deeper. It explores how our authentic movement reflects our emotional world, recognising childhood experiences, impact of relationships, mental health challenges ,life transitions, trauma and loss , identity and self discovery ,all in a body-based, embodied way.
🌀 No choreography. No steps to learn.
Just movement — as you feel it.
Your body leads, and your story unfolds through rhythm, gesture, and presence.
Dance Movement Psychotherapy recognises that our bodies carry our histories ,and through movement, we can express what words sometimes can’t.
Every time we move, we move with rhythm, and in DMP, that rhythm can be observed, explored, and understood to support emotional insight and healing.
We’re so proud of Faye and excited to bring this new offering to our community! 💛
If you are interested in finding out more about this new service please contact Faye at hello@xpress-yourself.co.uk
🎸 Black Sabbath Tribute – Ballet & Exhibition 🎭
To honour Black Sabbath being granted the Freedom of the City of Birmingham and to commemorate the passing of the legendary Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025), Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC will be performing our own specially choreographed ballet dance to “Orchid”.
Adding to the celebration, Birmingham Royal Ballet presents Black Sabbath – The Ballet, billed as the world’s first heavy metal ballet experience, a show not to be missed!
🩰 Join us as we celebrate and commemorate the work of Ozzy Osbourne in our own special way.
📍 And if you’re an Ozzy fan, don’t miss the “Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025): Working Class Hero” exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, running until 18th January 2026.
⚡ Let’s keep the spirit of Sabbath alive in Birmingham! ⚡
Search Bar
🌟You asked and we did!🌟
After many of our lovely dancers asked for an easier way to find their classes on our webpage, we have now added a search bar so you can search your specific class.
This will make your booking time shorter and navigation easier!
Payment Details for Keep Dancing Classes
Important Update: Payment Details for Keep Dancing Classes
Please note that the HSBC bank account previously used for Keep Dancing payments is now closed.
You can now make payments via bank transfer to the following account:
Unity Bank Trust Plc
Account Name: Xpress Yourself Dance CIC
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account Number: 20447494
Alternatively, you can now pay quickly and securely by card through our website.
Please continue to book your classes via our website:
👉 www.xpress-yourself.co.uk/dance-classes
A polite reminder:
Please make payment immediately after booking your class.
Once a class is booked, it cannot be transferred or refunded.
If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to attend, we recommend booking on the day, as reserving a spot without attending may prevent someone else from joining.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support!
We have a little update on how to pay by cheque.
If you are paying by cheque, we kindly ask you to send a text to Amelia on +44 7826 622302 with the date your cheque was posted and the dates and class you wish to book.
This will allow us to track how long the cheques have been in the post and chase up the post office for any lost cheques.
If you choose to pay by cheque, please can you ensure that cheques are sent in the post to this address:
XPRESS YOURSELF
PO Box 18828
OLDBURY
B69 9HX
Cheques will not be accepted at the class.
When paying by cheque we please request
:Cheques are made payable to Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC.
You write the dates you wish to attend on the back of the cheque.
Please note that once the cheque has been received the dates you have booked are not transferable.
You write your address and telephone number on the back of the cheque.
As you do not book online, we will also need to be informed of an emergency contact number for you.
Please note the envelope will need a stamp.
Thank you for your support
Paying by Card
🌟You said, we did! 🌟
We’ve listened carefully to your feedback and integrated card
payment into our website! This means you’ll be able to pay for classes by
card, making booking your class an even easier process!
Simply visit https://xpress-yourself.co.uk/dance-classes/, choose your class, and select the Credit/Debit Card option at checkout.
If you are choosing to book by card please ensure that you check the amount of places you are booking before confirming your order. If you are accidentally booking an additional space your card will be card for all places.
Don’t hesitate – book your class today!
National Grief Awareness Day 30th August 2025
National Day of Grief is on Saturday, 30th August 2025. This day serves as a reminder that grief is a natural, complex, and deeply personal experience—one that doesn’t follow a universal timeline or emotional pattern. Whether it stems from the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, career changes, or other life shifts, grief manifests uniquely for everyone.
The day is important to:
- Destigmatise grief
- Encouraging open dialogue about grief and loss
- Educating people about coping strategies and support available
Ways you can participate in national grief awareness day:
- Engage in personal reflections – light a candle, journal and honour your own process of grief
- Offer your support to someone who is grieving, be there to listen or simply reach out to let them know you’re thinking of them
- Share your experiences on social media- use hashtags such as #GriefAwarenessDay to create community
- Explore grief resources such as support groups, information packs etc
Here are several trusted bereavement and grief support resources in Birmingham
1. Cruse Bereavement Support Birmingham
- Local branch offering a helpline, email support, and in-person referrals.
- Connects residents with services like Solihull Bereavement Counselling, Marie Curie Hospice, Edward’s Trust, and others.
- Contact: 0121 687 8010 | Email support@crusebirmingham.co.uk
2. Birmingham Hospice Bereavement Support
- Provides free one-to-one, group, and telephone support via trained counsellors and volunteers.
- Located at sites in Selly Park and Erdington.
- Enquiries:
- Erdington: 0121 465 2000
- Selly Park: 0121 752 8748
- Offers private plans if hospice connection isn’t established
3. LionHeart Helpline
- Offers free, confidential bereavement counselling and financial guidance or grants if needed.
- Contact: 0800 009 2960 or +44 (0)121 289 3300
Birmingham City Council also lists other local services (which are linked below) including
Birmingham Counselling Services,
St Martin’s Centre for Health and Healing.
“Grief is the price we pay for love.”
— Queen Elizabeth II
It captures the deep truth that grief is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of how deeply we loved and connected.
Friends First
Would you like to make new friends?
Increase your social networks?
Or maybe you would just like support to engage in your local community?
The Friends First team are here to help.💚
We offer advice and can signpost you to find new opportunities in your
local area. A crucial aspect of the project is to set up friendship
groups that offer a safe space, where likeminded people can come
together and meet over a cuppa. ☕
You can find the team…
📆 Every Monday
⏰12:30pm – 2pm
📍Mere Drive Common Room, Mere Drive off Cremorne Road, Mere Green B75
5AN
📞Call Julia on 07985 270599 or 0121 362 3650 for further information
😃Bring Lunch if you wish!
📆Every Wednesday
⏰12:30am– 2pm
📍Hawkesley Community Centre, Edgewood Road, Kings Norton B38 9RN
📆Every Thursday
⏰10:30am– 12pm
📍Ladywood Leisure Centre, Ladywood Middleway, B16 8TR
📞call Miriam on 079852 70579 or 0121 399 0122 for further information
📆Every Other Thursday from 6th Feb
⏰1.30-3pm
📍Harborne Library, 193 High St. Harborne B17 9QG
📞call Miriam on 07985 270579 or 0121 399 0122 for further information
📅 Every Thursday
⏰10.30-12pm
📍Perry Beeches Baptist Church, Beeches Rd, B42 2HF
📞call Julia on 07985 270599 or 0121 362 3650 for further information
☕Café available
📆Every Friday
⏰10.30am-12.30pm
📍Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church, 16 South Parade, B72 1QY
📞call Julia on 07985 270599 for further information
🎲Activities, quiz, puzzles!
📆Every Thursday
⏰11am-12.30pm
📍Erdington Library, Orphanage Rd, B24 9HP
📞Call and ask for Chloe on 0121 437 0033 or Claire on 0121 362 3650
📆Every other Thursday
⏰1.30-3pm
📍Lench’s Close, Wake green Rd, Moseley B13 9EY
📞Call Miriam on 07985 270579 or 0121 362 3650 for further information
☕Coffee, chat and activities!
📆Starting Wednesday 26th March 25, then fortnightly
⏰11am-1pm
📍Beacon Church, 47 Sandwell Rd B21 8NH
📞Call Chloe on 07955265565 or 0121 3623650
☕Enjoy a chat, refreshments and games!
More groups will be set up over the coming months so please ring for more information and come and get involved!
🎉 Julie’s has taken to the Skies – for Myeloma UK! ✈️💪
In August 2025, one of our incredible dancers, Julie, has taken on an unforgettable challenge – a WING WALK – strapped to the top of a flying plane! 😱💨
Julie lives with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood and bone cancer. When she was first diagnosed, the prognosis was devastating – just 3 years to live. That was 3 years ago. Now, she’s defying the odds and flying high, celebrating life beyond the diagnosis.
Thanks to vital research and clinical trials supported by Myeloma UK, Julie has been able to keep dancing, dreaming – and now, flying. After a stem cell transplant and ongoing chemotherapy, she’s still living a life she never thought possible.
To celebrate:
🎈 Her 70th birthday
🧬 Her strength and survival
💛 And to raise much-needed funds for Myeloma UK
Congratulations,, Julie for taking on this sky-high adventure!
👉 Please sponsor Julie here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jules-wingwalk?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015
Thank you – and keep dancing! 💃
Throwback Thursday 1977
In June 2025 over on our Facebook page, Xpress-Yourself Dance began a new segment of Throwback Thursday! One Thursday a month we will highlight a year and we want to know your memories of the year!
In August 2025 we highlighted 1977!
1977 was the year the world bid farewell to Elvis Presley, the legendary king of Rock n Roll who sadly passed away age 42. 🎸
It was also the year Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope burst onto the big screen, captivating Sci-Fi fans and launching one of the most iconic movie franchises in history. 🍿
Fun Fact: Did you know that snow has only fallen once in Miami and this was in 1977!
And if you fancy further reminiscing with your fellow dancers head over to our Facebook page!
Could you be a Hidden Carer?
In the UK, a hidden carer is someone who provides care and support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour who cannot cope without their help due to illness, disability, mental health condition, or addiction , but does not recognise themselves as a carer, and often goes unnoticed by services and support systems.
Key Characteristics of a Hidden Carer:
Unaware of their role: They may see what they’re doing as simply “helping out” or fulfilling a family duty.
Not accessing support: Because they don’t identify as a carer, they often don’t claim benefits, access respite services, or receive emotional or practical support.
More likely to struggle in silence: This can lead to burnout, financial difficulties, and mental health issues.
Includes children and young people: Young carers are often hidden because they may fear stigma or family separation.
🧰 Useful Resources for Carers
📞 Birmingham Carers Hub
Call: 0333 006 9711 (low call rate)
Email: info@birminghamcarershub.org.uk
Website: www.birminghamcarershub.org.uk
They provide carer assessments, advice, training, and access to local support.
👉 If you contact Birmingham Carers Hub, please mention that Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC referred you—this helps them understand how carers are finding their way to support.
For more information about hidden carers, you can read our blog here
ISE – Supporting Businesses and Empowering Communities
If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.
It’s important to know that support services are available for you to access, whatever you’re going through. You can get urgent Mental Health Support from 111 online or by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. Alternatively you can ask for an urgent GP appointment. 111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone. A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.
Free listening services These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult: Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line,
Keeping in Touch
To avoid missing out on emails and important updates, please ensure both admin@xpress-yourself.co.uk and hello@xpress-yourself.co.uk are marked as safe email address. Additionally, make sure to always check your spam – just make sure the email address of the sender is one of the above.
Just a reminder that admin@xpress-yourself.co.uk office hours are Monday 8am-2pm and Thursday 8am-2pm.
Please ensure that you let us know of any changes of contact or emergency contact details.
Wish You Were Here – August 2025
First of all, thank you to everyone who has sent images from their trips to contribute to our Wish You Were Here segment! If you still want to take part please email your trip pictures to admin@xpress-yourself.co.uk
This month, we are highlighting Lynda James’ trip to Portugal ☀️
Here is Lynda with her husband on the ocean in the southern tip of Portugal! ⛵
The southern tip of Portugal is located in the Algarve region, with the Cape of St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente) being the most south-westerly point of mainland Portugal—and one of the most south-westerly in mainland Europe. This area is known for beautiful beaches, sea caves (like Benagil), and charming towns like Lagos, Faro, Tavira, and Albufeira.
Thank you to Lynda for sharing such an amazing picture. I am sure you will agree that it looked like she had a fabulous time! 🌍
The Shires Moseley Tea Dance
Support Our Research
We’re currently working on funding applications and would greatly appreciate your support with our research. Even if the project isn’t directly related to your area, completing the survey will still help shape future projects and applications that could be relevant to you.
Community Feedback – Dementia- Friendly Tea Dance in Quinton – https://forms.gle/KtmqfuUNyCU5dpVeA
Daylight Discos for Over 50’s – https://forms.gle/3JNU7n3SU7ExGDZe8
Thank you for all your support
Resources for Carers
Here at Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC we support carers. If you feel like you need additional support or advice we can make a referral to Birmingham Carers Hub. Please do just get in touch with us, we are happy to help.
In addition to our carer classes on offer, we are also happy to provide resources to help support carers and hopefully make their responsibilities a little easier – we are more than happy to help!
We have compiled all our resources into one handy blog post for you! There is information about support, activities for carers and information about Carers IF card. Click here to access the blog!
Don’t forget we have a FREE pre-recorded downloadable class for carers. A monthly half-hour session for those unable to join us for our online or in-person carer classes, but don’t want to miss out on the dancing. After booking the class, you will receive a link via email to download the video. The link will expire within 7 days.
Find More Local Activities to Keep you Active
Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC understands the importance of Dance to keep your mind and body active and healthy, but joining other local activities can boost community spirit and your own wellbeing.
We have collated activities for you to join in Acocks Green area , West Bromwich area and Yardley area click on each area to see the blog post and find an activity for you!
If you know of any other activities in your local area that you think your Keep Dancing friends will enjoy, please send the information to admin@xpress-yourself.co.uk. and we can get them into a handy blog post!
Dates for your diary:
Keep Dancing Acocks Green will NOT run on Monday 1st September
Keep Dancing Garretts Green will NOT run on Monday 1st September
Keep Dancing Shirley will NOT run on Tuesday 2nd September
Keep Dancing Bentley Heath will NOT run on Thursday 4th September
Keep Dancing Marston Green will NOT run on Thursday 4th September
New Dancer Discount
Do you have a friend, neighbour or family member who would like to join a Keep Dancing class?
We have a brand new discount for dancers who are brand new to Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC, our New Dancer 6 classes for £12!
This deal is available for:
Keep Dancing Sheldon
Keep Dancing Shirley
Keep Dancing Garretts Green
Keep Dancing Aldridge
Keep Dancing Harborne
Keep Dancing Marston Green
Keep Dancing Bentley Heath
Keep Dancing Quinton
Keep Dancing Greatest Hits
For NEW participants attending Xpress-Yourself Dance we have a special offer of block booking your first 6 classes for just £12. (Classes are usually £5.50 per class.) This is a special offer and can only be applied as a block booking. New participants should send the 6 dates of the classes via email to admin@xpress-yourself.co.uk after booking. Transfers of dates will not be offered and no refunds given.
Please note the NEW DANCER promotion is explicitly for dancers who are new to Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC. Please do not use this promotion if you already attended Keep Dancing classes at another venue.
For more information, visit our blog here
Thank you for your understanding.
EasyFundraising
Support us when you shop online
Read our EasyFundraising blog here
You will be unsurprised to hear that room hire for many of our groups has recently increased.
We are keen to not increase our prices for Keep Dancing classes but we do ask for your support. If you are partial to a little bit of online shopping you can support Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC every time you shop. We are now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can help us for FREE. Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!
All you need to do is sign up and remember to use easyfundraising whenever you shop online. It’s easy and completely FREE! These donations really will mount up and ensure that we can continue to run classes where you book by the week, and not by the month, with no price increase so please sign up to support here So far £208.75 has been raised. This money will be used towards a monthly hall hire at one of our nine venues. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to support us and have been online shopping with us in mind, your support is greatly appreciated.
Read Our Blog: 5 Effective Benefits of Street Dance Dancing for Your Physical and Mental Health
August’s blog was a nod to our Street Dance Routine as we gave you 5 benefits of Street Dancing for your Physical and Mental health.
Take a read here, and let us know in the comments if you felt the Benefits from August’s Street Dancing 👯♀️
September 2025 Dances
In September 2025 you will dance a Street Dance choreographed by Faye O’Connor, and a Ballet Dance choreographed by Faye O’Connor
The songs on the playlist in September 2025 will be
1 . A little bit me, a little bit you – The Monkees
2. Don’t go yet – Camila Cabello
3. Orchid – Black Sabbath – Ballet
4. Street Dance – Rappers Delight
5. Rowboat – Johnny Cash
We hope you’re as excited to dance your way into September as we are!
We are so grateful for your continued support. Whether that be continuing to interact with our Facebook page, leaving us reviews, telling your friends about our classes and booking onto our Keep Dancing classes. Your support is truly appreciated and we hope to continue keep dancing into the future.
If you have the time please Leave us a Facebook Review here
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here
Follow us on Instagram @xpre55your5elfdance
Increasing our social following will certainly help us maintain our small business in 2025.
Thank you so much!
We love to boogie!
The Xpress-Yourself Dance Team
