Nikila Newman

Niklia has grown up on a council estate in Poole. She has always had a passion for dancing, but she has, more importantly, always wanted to see her community change. She set up 'Infectious' Street Dance Academy in 2003 after seizing an opportunity of a dance location. 'Infectious' now incorporates around 200 dancers from between the ages of 5 and 50 and has put on 4 major shows at Poole Lighthouse (the last of which, in July, was sold out). A camp was organised last year to a Christian outdoor centre in Devon for the older children as many in the area don't really get to go on holiday. The children had to raise the money themselves, and many lives of those that went were significantly changed for the better. It is being run again this year. 'Infectious' has created a real sense of family, but also purpose, for those who are part of it. It continues to grow from strength to strength.