Spotlight on Rachel

March 16, 2016

Rachel moved into Poplar just over 5 months ago. Having already done a large amount of previous volunteering, Rachel got stuck right in – describing volunteering as a ‘gift’. She has done almost 70 hours of volunteering whilst living with us, mostly in the field of dance. Her latest project is a community dance class.

This is what she has to say about the experience:

When I moved into the Poplar Neighbourhood I got a real sense of a special community feeling and I instantly wanted to get involved. I run my own business, Rachel Sparks Dance, and the core of all my teaching is to support wellbeing and help people overcome the barriers that hold them back. I set up free dance classes with Jayne at Brownfield Community Cabin to offer something fun and accessible to the local community and have run 5 sessions of sequence dance lessons so far. Even though we have only had a few regularly attending the participants are enjoying learning new dances which exercise their bodies but also their minds. Julie said ‘It gets me out of the house to socialise…it’s good for the mind body and soul and my posture!’ Some of the participants are learning to dance for the first time but are enjoying the challenge. Irena says ‘it’s good for my health and fights alzheimer’s…makes me feel free and I enjoy the musical sense and flow’.

We would love to have more people join us every Tuesday morning 9.30-10.30am at Brownfield Community Cabin. It’s now open to men and women, but you don’t need to bring a partner and anyone can lead and follow. I’m really enjoying meeting the locals and offering something that contributes to their health and wellbeing, we’ve even thought of holding a tea dance soon – watch this space!

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“I was drawn to property guardianship because I wanted to live affordably in London which is pretty hard to do – and the volunteering aspect of guardianship with Dot Dot Dot really appealed to me as a way of giving back to the community.”
Carl, High Barnet
“I love the idea that you are part of a community in such a large city. I like the fact we are allowed to be creative with the decoration of the flat and getting involved with local charities is something which I have missed doing over the last few years.”
Jasmine, Peckham
“I saw the advert for Dot Dot Dot and was intrigued to find out more. Initially it was the low cost that attracted me but I also thought the social enterprise side of the business was really cool. I liked the fact that being a guardian with Dot Dot Dot encouraged me to give back and make me do something good with my free time.”
Heba, High Barnet
“There’s an instant community feel here which is great. Looking forward to organising movie nights and board games nights with the other guardians.”
Caitlin, Whitechapel
“Being a guardian gives me the freedom to do good, invest time in work I believe in and be part of a fascinating community. It’s a no-brainer.”
Sam, Thamesmead
“It’s a really cool place – I can use it to work in like an office, and there’s already a great community.”
Pete, Whitechapel
“It’s great because I often work from home. Because it’s a huge building you have you’re own space, but if you want to hang out with other guardians you can.”
Sarah, Whitechapel
Local people have been very positive. They like the fact an empty building in their neighbourhood is being used again and is being maintained.
Conor, Shoreham-by-Sea
“As a property guardian with Dot Dot Dot I save £450 per month compared with what I used to pay on rent – that’s a significant difference.”
Josh, Poplar
“If I wasn’t a property guardian I would either be paying a ridiculous amount of money on renting in London or unable to move out of my grandmother’s house at all. I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford to spend time volunteering.”
Bella, Bow