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DanceWize NSW

Logo for DanceWize NSW

DanceWize NSW exists to advance and support the health and dignity of festival goers in NSW. DanceWize NSW is a program of NSW Users and Aids Association (NUAA); the leader in peer-led harm reduction in NSW. We attended our first festival in November 2017 with funding and support from the NSW Ministry of Health, aiming to increase the safety of festival patrons. We achieve this by coupling credible, evidence-based information, with delivery of a range of peer-based harm reduction services. These include peer education about safer partying and safer drug use, provision of care Spaces and roving teams at festivals, as well as training programs and advocacy. We work closely with festival promoters, emergency medical, police, and security service to decrease harms experienced by people at music festivals. Our program is comprised of an experienced and dedicated team employed by NUAA, over 200 volunteer Key Peer Educators (KPEs) recruited from the festival and party scene, and a team of dedicated volunteer Team Leaders. All members of the team hold a minimum of a current Provide First Aid and have completed extensive harm reduction care and education training. DanceWize NSW has attended 35 events, 22 in the 2018/19 financial year. Some of these fantastic events include Groovin’ the Moo, Lost Paradise, Ultra, Festival X, and Subsonic. We successfully work with many promoters including Architects of Entertainment, Mothership, Secret Sounds, and Matt Sims Events. In the past financial year, we have provided general health and specific drug and alcohol harm reduction education to nearly 16,000 patrons; provided back-of-house care to over 1,000 patrons; and over 102,000 rover interactions with patrons. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver an integrated reciprocal referral model. Our Rovers and Care Space KPE’s have referred 298 people into medical care, and medical has referred 230 people into our care. In addition to our festival service, we also offer our community harm reduction support and education, including NSW drug alerts, and a digital peer support service, through our social media accounts and website.