Shaper/Caper set to star at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards

Shaper/Caper shortlisted for national charity award

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

This year’s shortlist includes 44 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country. While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote - before 5pm on Friday 20 May 2022.

Shaper/Caper has been recognised as a finalist in the Digital Citizen category and are encouraging those in Dundee to vote for them.

Shaper/Caper are a unique team of playful, kind, supportive and curious people with a mission - dance for all. They impact social change through dance, and they endeavour to share the physical, social, and emotional benefits of dance with people of all ages, socio-economic backgrounds, races, and genders in Dundee and beyond.

Shaper/Caper’s Artistic Director Thomas Small said:

“We are honoured to be finalists in the year's Scottish Charity Awards in the Digital Citizen category. It's testament to the brilliant people and communities we work with at Shaper/Caper. We love that dance has the power to bring people together without barriers of language and seeing the joy that movement brings to people is deeply moving. To be able to connect with audiences digitally through our projects over the past year has been fantastic. We would be over the moon if everyone could vote for us in the People's Choice Award too!”

Shaper/Caper are helping to keep children active and creatively inspired through their Children’s Capers online dance adventures and their Chill Out Space mindfulness sessions.

In 2020 they launched an online LGBTQ+ magazine show, The In/Out Crowd, that aimed to provide a shared safe space for young queer people in an increasingly isolated, locked-down world. Now as the world begins to open up, The In/Out Crowd remains as a space for LGBTQ+ people to connect, especially those who may still feel isolated due to social or geographical factors.

Since their Dance for Parkinson’s classes moved online, Shaper/Caper have been there to support their participants with the shift to a digital space, so that they can continue to enjoy the physical and social benefits of the sessions.

Shaper/Caper’s recent hit LGBTQ+ festival, OutFest, welcomed over 700 attendees from Dundee and the surrounding areas to their online and in person events.

Following two years of restrictions and online ceremonies, the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards winners will be announced on 15 June at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by BBC’s Sally Magnusson at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza hotel.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said:

“The Scottish Charity Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work of charities, community organisations and social enterprises across Scotland. The entries this year are as fabulous as ever and the 44 finalists come in all shapes and sizes. Every one of them is making a huge difference - they make Scotland a better place to live and I'm very much looking forward to meeting them in June. This is your chance to vote for your favourite in the People's Choice Award, so please offer your support.”

To view the full list of finalists, visit the SCVO website.