Thank you to everyone who attended our special Kindness themed classes during Children’s Activities Week 2022.
We raised over an amazing £1900 for Caudwell Children 
There is still time to donate if you would like to here.
diddi dance at the Caudwell Children’s Centre
On Saturday, Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance and our three diddis – Davey, Daisy & Dannee, all spent the day at the Caudwell Children’s Centre for the Children’s Activities Week Showcase.
We want to say thank you to everyone who came along to dance our special kindness themed week in our classes, and a huge thank you for all of your donations making such a difference to so many children’s lives 💜
Meet Our Newest Franchisees at diddi dance
We are absolutely thrilled to have had a number of new franchisees join our network here at diddi dance in the past year. Three of them have opened up in completely new areas, and one has taken over an existing area.
Meet them here to see where they are running fun packed classes, maybe they are local to you? If you’d like to join one of their classes, please contact them below or complete an enquiry form to book a trial here
“Hello! I’m Andrea and you are all very welcome at diddi dance Southampton! Dance has always featured in my life, from the ballet and tap classes I attended from age 3, to having a good old boogie with the girls on a Saturday night aged…well that’s a secret! And although dance styles and music influences have changed, my love of moving to music has remained a constant.
diddi dance really is so much more than dancing to music. It offers the children physical and social development in a fun and friendly way. Children are free to express themselves, be creative and burn off their boundless energy! And for adults? Well, we get to be part of the fun too as our involvement nurtures and supports the growth of their confidence and abilities.
diddi dance’s unique tunes are just so catchy that they’ll get your toes a-tapping and your hips a-wiggling and I cannot wait to share this with you at a diddi dance class in Southampton.”
diddi dance Reading & Wokingham
Bethany Bianga has taken over diddi dance Reading & Wokingham from the fabulous Andrea Bickford who ran diddi dance for a few years,. Bethany was a teacher here so some of you may already know her.
“Former UK Hip Hop champion, I have years of dance teaching experience and will ensure that the class is great fun for your little one!
dance Reading & Wokingham it’s always been a dream of mine to own my own dance business and I can’t wait to share my love and passion of dance with you all. I’ve been dancing for 20 years now, my love for dance grows and grows every day. I’m so excited to be taking over diddi”
“Hi, I’m Dani & I’m super excited to be introducing diddi dance Sunderland to you! I have always had a love of dance from a young age having trained as a dancer from the age of 6 doing tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and then going on to study contemporary at college. I then continued onto university completing my BA (Hons) in Performing Arts specialising in dance.
I worked as a children’s entertainer and dancer in hotels all over the Canaries & Balearic Islands which was just the best and spent a number of years working in nurseries which I loved….watching the children grow and learn was such a beautiful experience.
After a few years out, and being a Mummy to my 2 gorgeous little boys I’ve decided now is the time to go back to my roots and get my dancing shoes back on and have some fun….life is for living after all!!
Can’t wait to share this journey with you all…..let’s get dancing!” 💃🏻🕺🏻
diddi dance Central & North Liverpool and South Knowsley
“My name is Kirsty and I’m the owner of diddi dance Central & North Liverpool & South Knowsley ready to launch in January 2022.
Dancing is my passion and I have always loved passing that on through my love of teaching. With a Master’s in Teaching & Learning, a PGCE in Performing Arts and a dance studies BA HONS degree along with over twelve years experience of secondary school teaching and many years of professional dance experience I have a broad expertise in dance. Since having my two boys I was always looking for places and activities to take them to and this is when I found diddi dance and started my own business.
At diddi dance we enhance children’s endless energy and enthusiasm through funky, full of fun sessions that build confidence, coordination and creativity. diddi dance will encourage a love of movement that will last a lifetime. Through exploring 16 different dance styles suitable for boys and girls, we want to be the first stepping-stone in a healthy & developed lifestyle for all toddlers.”
If you have a passion for getting children moving, and would like to find out more about a franchise, take a look at our franchise page or please feel free to contact Donna, our Franchise Manager, who will be happy to answer any questions you have.
diddi dance exclusive Music, Movement and Dance expert on What’s On 4 Kids directory
📣 Exciting news 📣 
We’re buzzing to be the exclusive Music, Movement and Dance Expert on What’s On 4 Kids – the UK’s best directory of classes personalised for your children and your area 💃🏻🕺🏿🎶
To celebrate the safe return of children’s classes this April, What’s On 4 Kids are giving away a YEAR’S WORTH OF FREE CHILDREN’S CLASSES.
Anyone who has signed up to be a member of the What’s On 4 Kids site is eligible to win up to £1000 to redeem on classes. Perhaps even with diddi dance! If you have already signed up, then please share with a friend!
So sign up for your free membership here
Let’s Get Busy Again!
diddi dance welcomed four new franchisees in 2020
We are absolutely thrilled to have welcomed four new franchisees to our network in the last year.
Laura, Constantina and Gemma all took over existing franchises that have been running for a number of years and Andrea opened up in a brand new area of Southampton.
Meet them here and feel free to contact them to find out more (face to face classes are currently paused but may be running an online option)
Laura Hughes – South East Hampshire & Chichester
“I absolute love teaching dance and sharing my passion with all of your lovely children. I was very diddi myself when I first started dancing at the age of 4 and am proud to have graduated from the University of Chichester with a BA Hons Degree in Dance in 2016. Being able to work in dance full time is a dream come true and I am very thankful for everyone’s ongoing support”.
Constantina Menezes – Enfield & Potters Bar
“Hey, I’m Constantina but everyone calls me Cos.
I have been dancing from a young age entering dance competitions, and I attended a dance academy from the age of 3. I continued my love for dancing and performing arts at Chickenshed Theatre and got the chance to perform at The Royal Albert Hall. I am qualified Level 3 and Level 5 Early Years Practitioner.
I can’t wait to meet all your diddi faces and be dancing and having fun with you.”
Gemma Edmenson –Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells & Hastings
“I’m Gemma, mum to a very lively little boy and ex professional dancer. In my pre-child life I trained in dance and musical theatre and danced in various productions both in the UK and internationally. I also taught various dance classes and choreographed for a variety of different projects.
I first came across diddi dance as a mum, when I took my then 18 month old son along to his first class 2 years ago. We both absolutely loved it from the start. It was so nice to see the children grow in confidence and being encouraged to develop at their own pace, whilst being introduced to so many different dance styles. I am very much looking forward to helping lots of children and parents enjoy dancing together, just as I did with my own little one!”
Andrea McCrea – Southampton
“Hello! I’m Andrea and you are all very welcome at diddi dance Southampton! Dance has always featured in my life, from the ballet and tap classes I attended from age 3, to having a good old boogie with the girls on a Saturday night aged…well that’s a secret! And although dance styles and music influences have changed, my love of moving to music has remained a constant.
diddi dance really is so much more than dancing to music. It offers the children physical and social development in a fun and friendly way. Children are free to express themselves, be creative and burn off their boundless energy! And for adults? Well, we get to be part of the fun too as our involvement nurtures and supports the growth of their confidence and abilities.
diddi dance’s unique tunes are just so catchy that they’ll get your toes a-tapping and your hips a-wiggling and I cannot wait to share this with you at a diddi dance class in Southampton.”
Have you thought about a diddi dance franchise?
Are you thinking about starting a new business in 2021? Would you like to find out more? See what some of our current franchisees have to say and take a look at our franchise page for more information or contact Recruitment Franchise Manager Donna, who’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Group Ex-Festival powered by classfinder running this weekend 25-27th September
📣 Join us this weekend for the classfinder Group Ex Festival 📣
@classfinder is running a three-day group ex festival from 25th-27th September 2020. There are classes for all ages and abilities, with over 40 fitness brands delivering 45-minute virtual sessions via Zoom 🎉
Our diddi dance session with Anne-Marie will be at 11am on Sunday morning, you can join us for just £5 for a household or if you are interested in taking part in more than three classes, we recommend you purchase our weekend class pass for £15.
This event is raising funds to help out the Community Fitness Network Get Yer Kit On project, which works to support young women around the UK to access physical activity. The initiative provides group exercise opportunities and sports clothing, as well as accessible training to increase employability and promote positive mental health. Find out more here: https://www.communityfitnessnetwork.org/get-yer-kit-on
🏆 Each ticket sold will be entered into a raffle to win a £2,000 Virgin Holidays voucher, courtesy of Raffolux. With a two year time frame in which to use the voucher in the UK or abroad, you can rest assured your future plans are safe. Terms and conditions apply. See Raffolux website here: https://raffolux.com/tcs/
DON’T MISS OUT! Get your tickets now: https://bookwhen.com/classfinderfestival#focus=ev-sqoj-20200925181500
24 hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children
Will you be joining us on Saturday 27th June, to see our founder, Anne-Marie Martin attempt a 24hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children?💃🏻🕺🏾
This week should have been Children’s Activities Week 2020 and while we wait for the right time for it to take place, we are excited to help raise vital funds for Caudwell Children’s emergency fundraising appeal.
This awesome charity changes the lives of disabled children by providing access to the services, equipment, therapies and treatments they so desperately need 💚💗💙
We can’t wait for the challenge to begin and see which exciting guests will be joining her online.
If you would like to sponsor Anne-Marie you can do so here 🤩
The event will be streamed live on our diddi dance facebook and instagram pages.
We hope you will join us and all support is welcomed. See you then!
#themovingmission
“We simply need to move more during the day, throughout the day, every day. I believe we should stop talk about exercise altogether and start thinking instead about movement” David Higgins, Personal Trainer to the Stars.
We want children to be physically active for life and this year we bring you #themovingmission 💚💗💙
Anne-Marie says “Setting healthy habits in children before the age of 5, is so important to how movement is viewed throughout life. Physical activity releases endorphins creating positive emotions and feelings which promote emotional and mental health as well as the obvious health and fitness benefits. It can help relieve stress and enforce body positivity. Activities in the early years are key and by encouraging both genders in non-competitive activities can help with their confidence and social skills.
Being physically active should be fun, something to enjoy and look forward to rather than too disciplined and intimidating. Positively encouraging children to be active will impact their views and behaviours into school and even adult life. My passion lies in dancing although we want to encourage all forms of physical activity with #themovingmission. diddi dance sessions are all-inclusive which we believe promotes acceptance of diversity and all abilities.”
Will you join us in the #themovingmission and encourage a love of moving that will last a lifetime?
diddi dance becomes a hero partner for CAW2020
diddi dance are excited to announce that we have officially become a hero partner for Children’s Activity Week 2020.
Children’s Activity Week will take place next summer from 8th-13th June 2020 to fundraise for Caudwell Children.
Its also a chance for us to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of activities, clubs and classes running across the UK, benefiting both parents and children, from babies to primary school age. The variety of activities highlight the many health, well-being, social and educational benefits for the whole family.
Along with the inspiring and dedicated people, companies and experts that provide these amazing activities, everyone takes part in a whole week of fun and fundraising to change the lives of children with autism and continues to raise standards across all children’s activities.
The theme in 2019 was ‘Watch Me Fly’ and raised a staggering £139,000.
The launch event takes place in February so look out for more information, and we hope you’ll be able to join us in one of our classes during the week to celebrate.
Children’s Activities Week – 13-17th May 2019
UK children join TV stars Dick & Dom and take on diddi dance’s Watch Me Fly Challenge as part of national fundraising campaign for autism in Children’s Activities Week
Groups of enthusiastic children all across the UK are set to take on a sponsored Watch Me Fly dance challenge with children’s toddler and preschool dance classes, diddi dance, as a challenge this week, 13th – 17th May, as part of a national campaign in Children’s Activities Week, to raise money to improve support for children with autism, with charity Caudwell Children.
The challenge will take place as part of the regular diddi dance classes and the children will swap their normal classes for the sponsored challenge as part of the national Children’s Activities Week campaign.
diddi dance children, from classes nationwide, will form part of an estimated 120,000 children across the country in completing the challenge as part of the national campaign to raise awareness and money to provide support for autistic children through the charity, Caudwell Children. 
Autism directly affects over 2.5million people in the UK every day and it is proven that early detection and intervention is the most effective way of managing behaviour relating to autism. But across the UK families can regularly wait years to receive an autism assessment for their child and, once diagnosed, often have to fight for any kind of support.
The money raised from the sponsored challenge will fund assessments and practical support for autistic children at the new Caudwell International Children’s Centre, the UK’s first independent purpose-built centre dedicated to autism.
Activity Leader, Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, said:
“We are proud to be a part of Children’s Activities Week and all of the children have had lots of fun practicing for our diddi dance Watch Me Fly challenge this week.
At diddi dance we are passionate about giving children the best start in life and by taking part in Children’s Activities Week we are taking that beyond our classes and helping other children as well.”
Children’s Activities Week is a partnership between the Children’s Activities Association, a not-for-profit membership organisation and national charity, Caudwell Children.
For more information about Children’s Activities Week or Caudwell Children visit www.caudwellchildren.com/caw2019.
