Jade Hand Wins Rising Star Award for Community Dance Initiatives at Sussex Sport & Physical Activity Awards

Jade Hand, a passionate young dance teacher and development officer, has been honoured with the Rising Star award at the prestigious Sussex Sport & Physical Activity Awards. 

The event, held on November 28, celebrated Jade’s outstanding contributions to dance and her commitment to making dance accessible to diverse communities across Sussex.

Jade, who lives in Crawley, works with several organisations, including DanceHub CIC, The Y.E.S Project, and Brighton Marina Studios. 

Through her roles, she has led and developed a range of innovative projects aimed at engaging people of all ages and abilities with the art of dance.

Reflecting on her award, Jade said: It’s amazing to feel recognised. It means that what we’re doing is working, and we’re getting our name out there, which is brilliant. 

“We’re getting recognition for not only what we do, but the young people who come to us every week and give up their time after school, and they give us their ideas, and without them it would be nothing, so it just feels amazing for both myself and for them.”

She added: “Seeing the difference that we’ve made on them, even in such a short amount of time, is just incredible. And seeing them excel in what they do and the difference it makes, makes it all worth it.”

One of Jade’s major achievements this year was leading the Forward Motion ’24 community dance event, which attracted more than 700 dancers, aged three to 65+, to showcase their skills and creativity. 

She also spearheaded Let’s Dance Crawley ’24, an event featuring performances from 19 academic schools and more than 400 young people at The Hawth. 

Both events provided a positive, inclusive, and welcoming space for dancers of all backgrounds to express themselves.

Additionally, Jade produced DanceHub’s International Dance Day event, where more than 200 dancers celebrated the rich diversity of Crawley’s dance styles. 

Looking ahead, Jade is already planning for Crawley’s first Festival of Dance & Movement in 2025, a major event set to further elevate the local dance community.

As a leader of The Y.E.S Project, Jade has been instrumental in creating 12 new dance and movement projects that engage disadvantaged young people in Crawley, Brighton, Hastings, and Horsham. 

Her work with local partners has empowered young people through dance, offering them a platform for self-expression, creativity, and personal development.

Jade also advocates strongly for youth voice, hosting regular meetings as part of the Play Their Way campaign, which empowers young people to take a leading role in shaping their experiences. 

In addition, within DanceHub’s Next Gen Dance Leaders programme, Jade has mentored five young people on their path to becoming dance leaders, ensuring the next generation of dance instructors is well-prepared and supported.

Through her weekly commitment, Jade delivers five projects that reach more than 50 young people, fostering a space where each individual is valued and supported. 

She continues to refine her own teaching practices to ensure her sessions are impactful, while also mentoring other teachers and young leaders in their own development.

Beyond her professional roles, Jade actively works to connect with communities that have traditionally been excluded from physical activities. 

She has made it a priority to engage with Crawley’s Tamil and Hindu communities, creating safe and inclusive spaces where participants can showcase their cultures through dance and movement.