Joined by Cinty and Doolz , the absolute superstars who coordinate a pool of over 500 dedicated volunteers to bring you the incredible service that is Dancewize NSW. This 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.

They attended their first festival in November 2017 with funding and support from the NSW Ministry of Health, aiming to increase the safety of festival patrons. Sparked as a result of an unfortunate number of deaths several years ago in NSW festivals. Read the inquest into the death of six festivals patrons here.

Their services 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. DanceWize work closely with festival promoters, emergency medical, police, and security service to decrease harms experienced by people at music festivals. 

DanceWize NSW has attended 80 festivals since our establishment. Some of these fantastic events include Dragon Dreaming, Knockout, Yours & Owls, 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 addition to our festival service, they 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. 

Thank you so much for coming on, I am so happy I came to your workshop at Lost Paradise and have got to know you both through volunteering and I highly encourage any festival lover to consider volunteering for DanceWize NSW!