[Jennie Doolan, JD Dance, Owner]
Jennie: I grew up in Broughton. All my family are from Salford, but when I started my dance career, I just wanted to get out of Manchester. I loved the idea of being away from everything here.
Every time I came back, people would always say to me, "All the youth clubs have closed down. There's nothing for children." And I was like, "Okay, but this is our community. So, how do we fix that?"
I see my friend. He said to me, "Jenny, you need to start a dance class." I was like, "All right, let's try it." We used to be situated just literally down the road and we were robbed twice.#
I managed to speak to the police. I explained to them how important this dance school is, how many lives it actually impacts. From that, they told me about Operation Vulcan.
[Jennifer Kelly, Detective Superintendent, GMP]
Jennifer: So, Operation Vulcan was set up to target the criminality that took place here in Cheetham Hill.
Violent crime in this area has gone down by 69% as a direct result of the Vulcan partnership. And JD dance was highlighted to be awarded some of our proceeds of crime funds.
Jennie: You apply for funding, but you never think you're going to get it. It helped a lot.
Jennifer: This premises here was one of our counterfeit shops that we very early on targeted and we cleared out.
Jennie: We were able to get this unit. It meant that we could then move to a bigger space. It also bought us new equipment and now children come here and they feel safe.
[Emily, JD Dance Student]
Emily: The best thing about coming is that it's just such a happy place and no matter what's happened at home, you're always going to find joy and happiness here.
I just feel so safe knowing that what it used to be and now what it is and what Jenny's made it.
[Dnae, JD Dance Student]
Dnae: I've been coming here since I was two. I had very much in social anxiety, but dance has made me more encouraged, and I've been more confident and happy.
Jennifer: People feel they've got that sense of community coming somewhere like the dance studio. We can't do things to a community. We have to do it with them.
Jennie: Being in this area, my mission is truly community. We're creating children who have morals and respect. They're giving him a purpose. That's all that matters.
