Mimbre Youth: Acrobatics and Streetdance Classes
Mimbre offers classes for young people in Hackney to learn acrobatics and street dance in a safe, fun and supportive environment with professional artists. It is a place where young people can express themselves creatively, gain confidence and work as a team. Mimbre Youth focuses on access, inclusion and excellence, and pulls down barriers to enable every child to thrive, regardless of means or abilities.
Summer 2026 term runs from Tuesday 21st April to Tuesday 7th July
(no class on 26th May for half term)
At Milton Gardens Community Hall, Shakspeare Walk (south end), London N16 8TL
- Mini 6-8 years old: 4 – 4:50 pm
- Midi 8-10+ years old: 5 – 6 pm
- Maxi/Progress 11-16 years old: 6 – 7:15 pm
Mimbre Youth is suitable for all levels, with a chance to learn new or improve existing acrobatics skills: rolls, cartwheels, handstands, flips, as well as opportunities to learn new dance moves and choreographies. In addition to weekly classes we regularly do group outings to see inspiring professional shows and performance projects where the young people can make their own choreographies and perform publicly!
Fees
Tuesday classes have a 3-tier fee system to make the classes accessible for everyone.
- Free or Pay What You Can: for Milton Garden Estate residents, Hackney Foodbank families and other families in need.
- £60 per term: Concession price for low-income families.
- £140 per term: Full price.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information or clarification.
How to sign up
To sign up or if you have any questions please email education@mimbre.co.uk to check availability and to get a sign-up link.
We have limited numbers available so it’s important to sign up before terms starts to secure a place.
When possible we prioritise places for young people living in social housing and those who are most in need of our classes.
Referrals
We welcome referrals of those in need. To refer someone for a free place please fill in this form.
The aim of our Referral Process is to create a clear and direct pathway for every child to be able to access Mimbre Youth Programme, where they can build confidence and skills in acrobatics and dance within a safe, supportive environment.
We define a young person ‘in need’ as any child who may be considered vulnerable or who faces significant barriers to participation in community activities.
A young person suitable for referral may include, but is not limited to, a child who:
- Faces Financial Barriers: Comes from a low-income background or a family experiencing financial hardship that would prevent them from affording a place otherwise.
- Is in Care: Is currently in the care system.
- Lacks Opportunity: Has limited access to extra-curricular activities or enrichment programmes due to systemic issues.
- Is isolated and would benefit from a supportive environment to help them make friends.
- Is a Young Carer: Bears significant responsibility at home and would benefit from dedicated time for themselves.
We recognise that the circumstances of a child are often nuanced. The points above offer a framework, but we fully trust our partners to use personal and professional discretion when assessing need, and only tell us what we need to know in order to support the young person.
The programme would be a great fit for a young person who has an interest in physical and/or creative activities.
Read our full guidelines here.
To discuss our referrals programme more or to sign up as a partner, email Carys on carys@mimbre.co.uk.
We welcome Disabled young people and participants with access needs. Please contact carys@mimbre.co.uk to discuss in what way we can best support your young person to take part.
All classes are taught by professional dance and circus artists, passionate about passing their skills on to the next generation! Allowing the young people a fun and supportive environment to move, meet friends and be creative in, which is at the heart of the programme. For the older group (11-16 years old) the participants can choose which area they want to focus more on, specialising in dance OR acrobatics OR learning a bit of both.
Next steps for older participants
Our Maxi group has the opportunity to take part in other activities related to the programme:
- Our Peer Facilitators work with the younger groups, supporting the teachers with the running of the sessions.
- We support the participants to apply for youth funding opportunities.
- We offer career and work experience opportunties.
- We organise regular group outings, supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation.
Donations
