LYDC welcomes difference and diversity. We are a youth company that strives to find joy and passion in what we do, as well as to create work to a high standard. We are dedicated to providing a safe space where members can be themselves, learn in an open and supportive environment and let their creativity flourish. We encourage members to work together, to look out for each other and to challenge themselves as artists and as people.
Communication – Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. Minimise negative self-talk.
Voicing your opinions and sharing your ideas is encouraged at LYDC.
Speak up for yourself if someone in the group is making you feel excluded, uncomfortable, or harassed.
Let a responsible adult know about your concerns. (Teacher / Guardian / Designated Liaison Person)
Be mindful of how you speak about yourself. The way you speak about yourself can affect others.
Negative self-talk can adversely affect your peers who admire you, and affect your own self-esteem.
Listening – Hear what others have to say
Practice listening to other dancers, to the teacher, and to guest teachers.
By listening to others’ ideas and concerns, both in a dance and personal context, a better understanding of each other and ourselves can be built. When there is a conflict, listening to both sides of the story can result in a more peaceful resolution.
Self - Awareness –Body language
Have an awareness of yourself in the space. Try to be welcoming and open with your body language (i.e. by not sitting with your back to anyone, or whispering and giggling when someone is performing or speaking.)
Sitting as a group in the breaks can help quieter members to feel welcomed and connected, even when they don’t feel the need to talk. Rather than chatting with only your close friends all the time, try opening the conversation to the group.
Mutual Respect – Sensitivity to others
Treating others with the same respect you would like to be treated with. Being sensitive to the fact that everyone’s personal space and boundaries are different. Accepting individual boundaries is integral to creating a happy, safe, and supportive environment conducive to learning.
Open Mind - Freedom to be yourself, reducing judgement
Everyone arrives to training coming from a different place. Try to keep an open mind during rehearsals when someone doesn’t behave how you expected. Being creative and performing in front of people can be daunting. It is important to support and feel supported when learning / attempting a new movement or idea.
Bullying is unwanted negative behaviour, verbal, psychological or physical conducted, by an individual or group against another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time.
The following types of bullying behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:
deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other forms of relational bullying,
cyber-bullying
identity-based bullying such as homophobic bullying, racist bullying, bullying based on a person’s membership of the Traveller community, bullying for one's physical appearance and bullying of those with disabilities or special educational needs.
Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour, including a once-off offensive or hurtful text/online message do not fall within the definition of bullying and should be dealt with, as appropriate, in accordance with the LYDC’s code of conduct. However, in the context of this policy, placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.
In the event that a case of bullying has been reported, observed or leaders have become suspicious of a possibility of bullying, we will follow steps in accordance with the safeguarding and child protection policy.
LYDC confirms that the youth company will, in accordance with its obligations, take necessary steps to prevent the harassment/sexual harassment of members or staff on any of the nine grounds specified i.e. gender including transgender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. LYDC will do risk assessments to continue to ensure that children are safe to themselves and those around them.