Angela was delighted to be invited to the official opening of MCR HQ CIC in Ashton.

The team at MCR HQ CIC are dedicated to enriching the lives of those that attend their range of classes and groups that cater for all ages, from mental health sessions to tutoring people in GCSE English and Maths.

Angela said: “One of my favourite bits of MCR HQ CIC is the MCR Dance Academy which is run by hugely talented coaches who compete at national events all year round.

“Head Coach Miah Maddock-Hodgins  has been a dancer since she could walk and has worked under some of the best coaches in the cheer and dance industry. Her first gold medal came in the ICU World Championships for Team England Para Hip Hop where she was an able bodied athlete helping others with physical disabilities.

“She also won gold the following year with the same team before successfully auditioning for Team England Hip Hop and winning a silver medal, the highest any Team England Hip Hop team have placed in history.

“Miah brings a wealth of experience to MCR Dance Academy and is aiming to provide the same opportunities she experienced for local dancers. She is a wonderful role model for those that attend her classes.

“At the official opening at Grosvenor Mill in Ashton, I was treated to a performance by the Cheer Academy and the Mini Hip Hop team. It was fantastic to see so many young people able to express themselves in such a creative way.

“I was given the option of learning a routine so I could join in with the young dancers, but I decided it was probably best to leave it to the professionals!

“Young people go to MCR Dance Academy to learn how to dance, but they also go to build friendships and boost their confidence. I am so grateful to those in charge for keeping costs to a minimum for families in this area so that as many young people as possible can join in and reap the benefits of these wonderful facilities.

“We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis that is hitting us all hard and when money is tight, it’s often the fun activities that are the first to be sacrificed so it’s great to see a local organisation doing the best it can to enable local families to carry on doing what they love to do.”