Reflecting on an Incredible 2024 at DanceSyndrome
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating what has been a truly extraordinary year for DanceSyndrome. From prestigious awards to international collaborations and community impact, this year has shown the power of inclusive dance to transform lives. Here are some of our highlights:
Award-Winning Achievements
We are incredibly proud to have received several prestigious awards this year, including:
- Highly Commended in the Inclusive Innovators category at the Northern Power Women Awards.
- The Music and Culture for Wellbeing Award at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.
- Two Gold Stevie® Awards at the International Business Awards in Istanbul:
- Organization of the Year – Non-Profit (Small)
- Thought Leader of the Year for our Co-Founder Sue Blackwell.
- Four Silver Stevie® Awards at the Women in Business Awards in New York, recognizing our team’s leadership and dedication.
A special moment came when our Founder, Jen Blackwell, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Salford. At a moving ceremony at The Lowry Theatre, Jen delivered an emotional speech that earned a well-deserved standing ovation.
International Recognition
This year, DanceSyndrome reached global audiences!
- Our team travelled to Tokyo to deliver dance leadership workshops as part of a partnership with LAND FES, promoting accessibility in dance and society across Japan.
- On the same week, another small team joined the international panel at the 2nd National Entrepreneurship & Disability Congress in Bilbao, Spain.
- We also collaborated online with Down for Dance in California, showcasing how inclusive dance can break down all barriers, including distance.
National Impact in the UK
Back home, our work made a meaningful impact on leadership and inclusion:
- We have started co-delivering bespoke “Inclusion in Action” workshops as part of a national Foundation of Nursing Studies development programme. Over 180 NHS In-Patient Ward Managers across mental health, learning disability, and autism services will gain skills and confidence to lead cultural change in their wards over the course of the 6-month programme.
We also contributed to NHS England’s national campaign to highlight the vital role of Learning Disability Nurses, producing a series of videos that were incredibly well-received.
Reaching More People Through Dance
Thanks to continued funding from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Community Fund, we engaged with over 9,000 people this year through our inclusive dance programmes.
Key highlights include:
- The return of our EXPRESS Showcase, where community workshop participants had the opportunity to perform in front of 200 people in a theatre setting.
- The success of our DS Youth Collective, who represented the North West at the National U.Dance Festival.
- Supporting seven dancers with learning disabilities to step into choreography roles through our iCreate project.
We also hosted our first-ever ENCORE ’24 Retreat, bringing together our online and in-person dancers for a very special celebration of inclusive dance.
Looking Ahead to 2025
This year we have shown, more than ever, that inclusive dance transforms lives, challenges perceptions, and inspires communities. But as a small charity, we rely on fundraising and grants to keep our work going.
If you’d like to support us in 2025, please consider making a one off or regular donation using the form below.
To everyone who has supported us this year — whether through donations, attending our events, or spreading the word — thank you so much from our team and beneficiaries.
Here’s to more dancing, inclusion, and incredible achievements in 2025!
