Help Us Make Art, Movement and Music Accessible to Everyone 

Hello lovely people, My name is Sally Zurita, founder of Bailando with Sally, an independent community focused organisation built around one simple belief: Art, movement and music can be powerful tools for emotional wellbeing, connection and self-expression and everyone should have the opportunity to experience them. 

 At Bailando with Sally, together with our artistic branch Alchemy of Art, we create workshops, performances and creative experiences that combine dance, movement, music, painting, singing and other forms of artistic expression. But what we do goes far beyond entertainment. 

 Our purpose is to help people discover creative ways to express emotions, reconnect with themselves and others, build confidence, experience joy and support their overall mental and emotional wellbeing. Art Without Barriers Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We believe art belongs to everyone, regardless of age, ability, background, culture, language or personal circumstances. This belief has already taken our work into very different parts of the community. We have had the privilege of bringing our workshops and performances to children, older people, care-home residents, neurodivergent and autistic adults, people experiencing addiction and recovery, and other vulnerable or underserved groups.

Every community is different, so we adapt what we do to the people in front of us. Sometimes that means dancing. Sometimes it means painting or making music. Sometimes it is simply giving someone a safe opportunity to participate, express themselves and feel connected to the people around them. There are no borders to creativity, and there should be no borders to belonging. We are also proud to be a Community Partner with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, as we continue building relationships that allow our work to reach people and communities who can benefit from accessible creative experiences. 

 Why We Are Fundraising Bailando with Sally is an independent organisation, and much of what we want to achieve for the community requires resources. 

This GoFundMe has therefore been created to support the continuing community work of Bailando with Sally. Your donations can help us fund the practical costs involved in delivering workshops and community activities, including venue hire, art and creative materials, equipment, music and performance resources, transport, organisation and the development of future projects. 

 Most importantly, your support can help us continue taking these experiences to communities and individuals who might otherwise have limited access to them. Our ambition is not limited to Portsmouth. We want to continue developing projects across the UK and eventually make some of our work accessible online, allowing people from different places, cultures and circumstances to connect through creativity. Why We Believe This Matters For us, art is more than something we watch  it is something we experience. Movement can help us reconnect with our bodies. Music can bring people together when words are difficult. Painting and creativity can give emotions somewhere to go. Dance can create joy, confidence and connection. And shared artistic experiences can remind people that they belong. 

 That is what we mean when we say: Art is medicine for the soul. Not because art replaces professional healthcare, but because creativity, movement, music and human connection can have a meaningful place in our overall wellbeing. Every donation, large or small, helps us continue building this work. And if you cannot donate, sharing our campaign can be just as valuable. Thank you for believing in a world where creativity is accessible, communities are connected and everyone is invited to participate. 

With love and gratitude, Sally Zurita Founder, Bailando with Sally & the Bailando with Sally team.

www.bailandowithsally.com