DanceSyndrome was recognised at a national level this week when our Dancer Leader team was announced as the winner of the Sporting Chance Award at the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards.
The awards, which took place on Thursday 14th July 2016 at the ICC, Birmingham, exist to celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and aim to pay tribute to those individuals or organisations who excel in providing quality provision.
The Dance Leaders were nominated for the Sporting Chance Award and were interviewed by the judging panel in May. The award was designed to celebrate a person or team who have worked creatively to develop sporting activities in which people with learning disabilities and/or autism can participate and enjoy. Sport is an area where people with disabilities can be visible achievers and winners, and participation in sport or physical activities can improve people’s health and wellbeing. DanceSyndrome actively promotes the importance of improving physical and personal wellbeing and with their inclusive approach to dance they challenge perceptions and emphasise ability rather than disability.
The Dance Leaders were thrilled to attend the Awards night which was hosted by Christopher Biggins. A total of 16 awards were presented on the night, to people working in all areas of care and support for people with learning disabilities and autism, from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation. The team was absolutely thrilled when they were announced as the winners of their award!
DanceSyndrome Managing Director Dawn Vickers said “We are so proud of our Dance Leaders! They are such a hard working, dedicated group of people who have a real passion for dance. The fact that many of them have overcome difficulties to achieve their ambitions of becoming Dance Leaders is truly inspiring and we hope that people will see them dancing and be inspired to follow their own dreams, whether that is in dance or other areas.”
The Dance Leader team is comprised of 13 individuals from Lancashire and Greater Manchester, Sophie Tickle from St Helen’s, Jen Blackwell, David Corr, Jonathan Rodman and Donna Harrison from Chorley, Sue Chadwick from Rishton, David Darcy, Becky Rich and Jodie Turner from Preston, Peter Pamplett from Salford, Elizabeth Boothby from Oldham, John Hendrickson from Sale, Helen Shepherd from Blackburn and Dorothy Shepherd from Darwen. Well done to all team members! We are incredibly proud of all you have achieved!
If you would like to join our award winning Dance Leader team you can enrol on our upcoming Dance By Example training course (click here). If you would like more information please contact the DanceSyndrome team at info@dancesyndrome.co.uk
You can read more about the Learning Disability and Autism Awards 2016 in this brilliant blog by organisers Turning Point.
