BEING single and being desperate to find someone to have a relationship don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Plenty of singles, even if they’d like to meet someone at some point, just want to get out there, have some fun and meet new people.

And, as a singleton, this is exactly what salsa classes at Tracie’s Latin Club (TLC) offered.

It wasn’t about partnering up with someone on the dance floor – and off of it.

But it offered me the chance to meet new people, build my confidence, have fun and learn a new skill.

While some people attend the class as part of a couple, there are plenty of people who go with friends or on their own.

Dancing is a great way to meet people – and perhaps someone special.

You naturally chat to the person you’re dancing with and have something to talk about. And, of course, being a good dancer is definitely a plus in the pulling stakes.

Tracie Gooch, the woman behind TLC, which runs both salsa and tango classes, says that a number of couples have met at her events, with several marriages to boot.

And with a fairly even proportion of men and women at an evening that can have 60 to 90 people attending, it’s not surprising relationships do develop.

But she’s keen to point out that this is just part of the social scene, which spins off the dance floor.

People also make friends and socialise away from the classes, attending other dance events or just enjoying a group night at the cinema.

“It’s a safe place for people, single or otherwise, to have a good evening,” she says.

“TLC has a good reputation for having a friendly vibe. After the classes there’s always social dancing so you can mingle and meet new people. The understanding is that people don’t just dance with one person, even if they’ve come with them. And the rule is that if someone asks you to dance you say ‘yes’!”

She adds that staying to dance after your class adds an important social aspect to the evening – as well as offering you the chance to pick up tips from more experienced dancers and improve your skills.

She says attending dance classes is a great way for anyone to boost their confidence, whether they’re a business person who is shy about speaking up in the workplace, or a singleton who needs a boost to get them chatting to new people.

She adds: “Sometimes romance blossoms at the clubs. It’s that stereotypical situation that a man and a woman meet on the dance floor and fall in love. It’s not that they have necessarily gone there looking but it’s just happened.”

TLC runs several classes in Southampton, teaching all levels from total beginners to advanced dancers, and also runs regular events such as Saturday Socials, a ball and even yoga for dancers classes.

Tracie says anyone attending one of her classes is sure of a good time: “The hardest thing you’ll have to do is walk through the door.”

l For more information, visit tracieslatinclub.co.uk or call 07889 288368.