DANCEWIZE
Request
TO BOOK A DANCEWIZE
SERVICE
On-site services,
info sessions, training, workshops & consulting
Apply
TO BE A DANCEWIZE
Trauma Counsellor or
Roving Active Bystander
Become a DanceWize Peer
Receive our monthly newsletter
Apply to join the team
FIND OUT. CHILL OUT.
DanceWize is a peer-based alcohol and other drugs (AOD) harm reduction program that delivers services for music events and festivals. It is a unique program in Australia, which started as RaveSafe, a grassroots group in Victoria. DanceWize© has been a program of Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) since 1999 and is a Victorian Department of Health (DoH) funded health promotion charity. The DanceWize program model was adopted in NSW in 2017 and is administered there by NUAA. HRVic is part of a national network which is able to support the emergence of similar programs in other parts of the country too. This network promotes health rights, human rights and harm reduction.
The DanceWize program model utilises peer-based support to deliver education, provide resources and referrals about safer drug use, and related health and wellbeing issues at music events and festivals. Our team members have appropriate training and lived-experience to care for intoxicated persons or people who need other support in event and festival settings. Our Team Leads and Key Peer Educators and carers (KPEs) undergo a range of training including First Aid (HLTFA003), but we do not operate as a First Aid provider, as this is not the program’s objective. We work as part of an event's Health Emergency Management Plan (HEMP) and alongside health providers and other on-site services. The efficacy of this peer-based program model is evidence-based and in 2016 HRVic’s DanceWize won the Minister of Health’s award for Outstanding Achievement by Volunteers Supporting Diversity.
DanceWize© have the resources to deliver full-scale peer support services on-site at a limited number of events each year, but we are designed as a public-private partnership. For example, DoH covers our core operational costs, which allows us to offer subsidised services, and event organisers are expected to contribute toward our expenses on a cost-recovery basis.
Dancewize also have resources to deliver comprehensive Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Mental Health services, including pre-event training and consultation and onsite service delivery that support festivals to prevent, recognise and respond to incidents of sexual and family violence onsite. Click on the above like to find out more
YOUTUBE
Join the Dancewize peer network
Volunteer intake and induction training only happens during the winter season.
Once you have submitted a completed online form (below),
you will be added to our monthly Peer newsletter, with information about training opportunities.
By applying to become a member of the DanceWize© team you will be added to our list
of DanceWize© Peers straight away and will receive our monthly e-newsletter.
Click on the link and fill out the form.
ARE YOU HAVING
AN EVENT or
do you require other Dancewize© services?
*Please Note:
This request does not mean you have booked DanceWize© for your event.
Someone will reply to you ASAP to confirm receipt
& discuss your request further.
The demand for the DanceWize© team is high.
Especially during the spring/summer months.
We are usually booked 6-12months in advance.
We appreciate that sometimes "stuff happens"
and we will do our best to fit in last minute requests
but are very, VERY limited to what we can take on at short notice.
Please keep this in mind.
DanceWize© is a program of Harm Reduction Victoria. We are a not for profit community organisation. If you wish to possibly enhance our capacity to take more bookings, please feel free to donate.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“Dear DanceWize,
Your care, wisdom & sincere love held me so close to this world as I was falling out of it. Thank you so much.
I am filled with gratitude & respect for your work & guidance. Huge love to DW volunteer Andrew who helped me name my future llamas and filled my eyes with love.
All the best 4eva.
Love”
— M,undisclosed event