Danceathon FAQs

Everything you need to know about the Danceathon

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#ShakeItInSisterhood Danceathon FAQs

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When and where is the event?

The Danceathon will take place on Sunday 25th June from 11am to 5pm at Siobhan Davies Studios, 85 St. George’s Road, London, SE1 6ER. 

When do I need to arrive?

Please arrive between 10am-10:30am so we can sign you in and so you have time to get changed if needed before starting the first routine at 11am. 

How do I get there?

— By public transport

Nearest tube: Elephant & Castle, London South Bank University exit.
Follow directions to the Imperial War Museum.

By bus: All to Elephant & Castle: 12, 53, 148, 344, 360, 453 or C10 to Imperial War Museum

The studio is also in walking distance from Lambeth North and Waterloo stations.

— Cycling/Santander Cycle Hire

There are two docking stations near the studio – on Geraldine Street, and St George’s Road between Garden Row and Gaywood Street.

There are good cycle routes to and from Elephant and Castle and our Studios. Visit the Transport for London website to help plan your cycle route to the studio. Additionally, they provide an area to the side of the building for visitors to lock their bikes securely while at the studio. 

— By car

They have two parking places that can be booked in advance. Priority will be given to disabled users.

As the studios are in an Ultra Low Emission Zone, please note that if you do choose to drive here you may be liable to pay the daily fee. For more information please visit www.tfl.gov.uk.

Accessibility

Siobhan Davies Studios is mostly accessible to wheelchair users, with lifts to all floors. Please note that the main door is not power assisted.

There are two accessible parking spaces available on site which can be booked in advance. Blue Badge parking is also available nearby on West Square and Garden Row (for a full map visit the Southwark Council website). 

Amenities include: 

  • Changing facilities* 
  • Communal showers* 
  • Lockers
  • Toilets / wheelchair accessible toilets on the ground floor and first floor*
  • Kitchen: tea and coffee making, fridge, dishwasher and a not fully accessible microwave

* Please note that the disabled toilets may not be suitable for all users (the toilets in the disabled toilets are 42cm high) and the changing facilities and showers are not fully accessible. The closest publicly available and fully accessible changing facility is at The Castle Centre, a leisure centre 0.3 miles away from the studios. You can find full details of their features here. 

If you would like to talk about your access requirements in advance of visiting please call the studio on 0207 091 9650.

Why do I need to pay a £5 registration fee?

As places are limited, we are asking guests to pay a small fee to reserve their place. From our experience, guests who pay an initial registration are more likely to fundraise and attend. This therefore helps us ensure we are reserving places for people who are serious about taking part. Your £5 registration fee will count towards your £264 fundraising target.

Why do I need to raise £264?

All guests are being asked to fundraise £264, which equates to the cost of one annual sponsorship of a woman survivor of war through our year-long Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. Once guests reach their fundraising target, they will each be matched with a woman as she is enrolled in our programme. As sponsors, guests will be able to support and play a key role in their sisters' journey to empowerment over the course of a year.

What are the fundraising deadlines?

We have put some soft fundraising deadlines in place to support you with your fundraising and make sure you reach your £264 target in time. 

6 weeks before the event: reach 30% of your fundraising target (£79.20)

4 weeks before the event: reach 50% of your fundraising target (£132)

2 weeks before the event: reach 80% of your fundraising target (£211.20)

1 week before the event: reach 100% of your fundraising target (£264)

What happens if I can’t reach the £264 target?

We will be asking all guests to fundraise £264 (less their registration fee) ahead of the event. Some guests may decide that fundraising is not for them and would prefer to donate the full amount themselves. In those instances please contact Julia at jvieyres@womenforwomen.org to arrange that.

If this is your first time fundraising and you are struggling, please get in touch with Julia jvieyres@womenforwomen.org so she can support you. We can offer plenty of tips and tricks to get you started!

What happens if I can no longer attend even though I have started fundraising?

We're sorry to hear you can no longer make it. If you are unable to make the event due to extenuating circumstances, please let Julia jvieyres@womenforwomen.org know as soon as possible. If you can support us in filling your place with another person please let us know, alternatively we will recruit a replacement to take your place.

If you have already started fundraising, you are more than welcome to continue fundraising through other activities if you wish. Your funds will still be put towards sponsoring a woman in our programme. Alternatively, if you stop fundraising, your funds will still be transferred to us and will be allocated to wherever the need in greatest. 

What is sponsorship?

Sponsorship is more than a financial commitment: you are sending a powerful message of support to a woman survivor of war that says 'You are not alone'. As a sponsor, you will be supporting a woman in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations for one year as she learns about her rights, her wellbeing, how to earn and save money, all together in a classroom with 24 other women like her, breaking the isolation caused by war. You'll receive a welcome pack in the post introducing you to your new 'sister', with more information about the country she is from. Every few months you will receive an email with updates on your sister's progress in the programme and what she is learning. More importantly, you will be able to directly send her messages of support through your supporter portal. Find out more about sponsorship here.

How do I set up a JustGiving page?

It couldn't be easier. Simply follow this link to join the #ShakeItInSisterhood Danceathon fundraising page and follow the steps. Fundraising pages work best when they are personalised, so make sure to add a bit more about what inspired you to take part in this event and fundraise for women survivors of war. Passion is infectious and it will inspire others to donate!

Please get in touch with Julia jvieyres@womenforwomen.org if you need any help.

Will lunch be provided at the event?

Lunch and drinks will be provided for you, however please do bring any extra snacks you may want to munch on throughout the day, or your favourite drink. We will have vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. If you have other specific dietary requirements please get in touch with Julia jvieyres@womenforwomen.org.

What should I wear and what do I need to bring?

Wear comfortable clothes you can move around and sweat in - anything from joggers to shorts to leggings, tank tops or t-shirts is totally fine. You can bring a refillable water bottle and anything else you may need on the day. Please only bring a small bag if possible as there is limited locker space.

Does the venue have air conditioning/ ventilation?

The studio is equipped with large fans that will be placed around the room to help keep you cool whilst dancing.

Will I be dancing for six hours without any breaks?

Throughout the day you will be taught six different routines by SOS Dance's A-list choreographers. Each routine will be about 45 minutes, with a 10-15 minute pause in between each routine for a comfort break, for you to grab some water or a snack.

What kind of routines will we be dancing to?

SOS Dance is known for teaching empowering, confidence-boosting routines to famous pop and R'n'B songs like 'Grown Woman' by Beyoncé, 'It's About Damn' Time by Lizzo, and more. 

Do I need to train for this event?

No, this is a 'come as you are' Danceathon, open to all abilities. Routines are broken down step by step so you can learn at your own pace.

Can I bring friends/ family to cheer me on?

We recommend you do not bring a +1 as this would exceed venue capacity. Why not invite your friends or family to come dance along with you? Just like you, they would need to register and fundraise to sponsor a woman in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme.

Is this an 18+ only event? 

Yes, this is an 18+ event only. We advise you to please not bring children to the event as there will be no childcare facilities or supervision on site.

What happens if I injure myself at the event?

We will have first aiders on site to help you with minor injuries should you, unfortunately, injure yourself at the event. First aiders will make themselves known at the start of the event.

Women for Women International and SOS Dance are not liable for any personal injuries caused by guests' negligence or wilful default.

I am pregnant/postnatal, should I take part?

You should always consult your physician or health care specialist before performing any of the Danceathon's routines, and you should obtain specific approval before performing any of dances at this event if you have any chronic or recurring physical conditions, and/or if you are pregnant, postnatal, nursing, or elderly.

Disclaimer

If you feel discomfort during any of the #ShakeItInSisterhood routines, immediately stop and consult a physician.

You should always consult your physician or health care specialist before performing any of the Danceathon's routines, and you should obtain specific approval before performing any of dances at this event if you have any chronic or recurring physical conditions, and/or if you are pregnant, postnatal, nursing, or elderly.

Please do not participate in this event if you are under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs. Please participate at your own risk.

Women for Women International or anyone involved in the creation of the #ShakeItInSisterhood Danceathon are not responsible for any injury, condition or damages that you may sustain as a result of following the day’s routines. Participating in the #ShakeItInSisterhood Danceathon is entirely at your own risk and you assume full responsibility for participating in sessions safely and as directed.