Jen Blackwell is now 33 and has Down’s syndrome. She is the Founder and a Director of the charity DanceSyndrome shortlisted for TWO awards open to all business women across the NorthWest, the Enterprise Vision Awards 2015.
Last Friday was a night like no other. A glittering occasion where Jen sparkled with the best and we all dressed to impress at the beautiful Empress Ballroom at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Jen and I were supported by some of Jen’s remarkable team – as many as could be accommodated. An announcement at the start that money collected from the glitter tattoos later in the evening would be donated to the charity DanceSyndrome was very welcome.
Then came the awards. So many awards to be called, so many finalists waiting with baited breath, and Jen a finalist in both Health and Wellbeing and Inspirational Woman. The first came and went, then Inspirational Woman was called to be awarded by Heather Waters from NatWest Business, the main sponsors of the whole event. The highly commended award went to Amy Varle with a truly innovative take on housing solutions for the homeless, and then the overall winner was announced, after the required wait…………….as Jen and Sue Blackwell from DanceSyndrome! Table 14 erupted in cheers and a scattering of tears amidst hugs of joy, amazement and disbelief. Through noise and clapping and a standing ovation, Jen and I were escorted onto the stage for Jen to receive amazing public recognition for her determination, battles and challenges to lead a life in dance, inspire others through dance, and share her passion with everyone. With remarkable composure she moved many to tears with her eloquent acceptance speech receiving yet more applause, acknowledgement and congratulations, followed by celebrations well into the night, a night we shall never forget.
This outcome is nothing short of incredible. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that this could happen to any one of us, least of all to Jen given all the hurdles which life inevitably throws in your way when you have learning disabilities. Jen, DanceSyndrome and I are surrounded by a cohort of people who believe that everyone has the same rights. This award is testimony to the power of teamwork where everyone contributes allowing Jen to contribute through her language of dance. As she follows her dream opportunities for others are born, whether disabled or non-disabled. She carries the torch for disabled entrepreneurs fighting to be seen as equals in the business community.
Dance, Dance, Dance is a sponsored dance event on Saturday 12th September at St Andrew’s Parish Church Hall, Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston PR2 1EQ. We will be there from 12 noon to 4pm – Come and join in the fun and raise money for DanceSyndrome!
You can download a copy of the sponsorship form here:
Dear friends,
Jen Blackwell is a finalist in the Enterprise Vision Awards 2015 – in TWO categories!!! We’re so proud of her and she is delighted to have been recognised, but she needs public votes to win. And she really wants to win!!!!
Please please visit the link below, click onto both the “Inspirational Woman of the Year” and “Health & Fitness” categories and vote for Jen. Please ask everyone you know if they’ll do the same.
Click Here for the Enterprise Vision Awards
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome. Go Jen!!!!
BILD’s LIVING A GOOD LIFE, the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Show, took place at the ICC in Birmingham on 15th May 2015 and was led by the voices of people with learning disabilities and people with autism.
Designed and delivered by people with a learning disability – led by Build for the Future, BILD’s group of self-advocates – the show gave an important message to the Government, providers and carers about what support is needed to live a truly great life.
DanceSyndrome were asked to perform their latest piece “Confinement” shortly followed by a solo from our director Jen Blackwell called “Hallelujah.” Both pieces got a fantastic response and we even received a standing ovation!! We were given some wonderful feedback from the day with people saying…
“Wow, wonderful dance, you are all stars” – BILD
“Amazing and powerful performance from the brilliant DanceSyndrome” – National LD Forum
“Mesmerising and amazing performance by DanceSyndrome” – Danshell Group
“Feeling privileged to have supported DanceSyndrome from the start. They raised the roof today” – Community Catalysts
“Blown away by DanceSyndrome incredible performance….these guys should have an international platform!!” – Sarah Kennedy
“Love the confidence and grace of movement….wish I could dance like DanceSyndrome beautiful, moving art” – Paula Braynion
“Can I say that this was one of the most beautiful & touching sights I have ever been lucky to see” – Christian Crispin
Later in the evening BILD presented The Care Awards where Jen was nominated for a People’s Award. Although she did not win, it was an honour for her to receive the nomination, and a great day and night was had by all here at DanceSyndrome!
See the day in pictures below and keep visiting our website to see when we will next be performing Confinement.
Peter Pamphlett aged 37 from Manchester started with DanceSyndrome in 2010 when Jen first advertised for dance leaders and dance artists to join her. At first he was apprehensive to join a new group of people and learn a new skill, he was not confident in communicating with others and was nervous about the prospect of travelling alone.
Having now been with DanceSyndrome for 5 years, Peter has gone from strength to strength. He has enjoyed learning new techniques and now feels confident to collaborate with others, whether it be meeting a new group or working towards a new dance piece with DanceSyndrome’s core company. Peter now communicates confidently delivering DanceSyndrome’s Dance by Example training course, supported by lead artist Sophie Tickle, as well as running many one off creative workshops across the NorthWest. Peter said “with my new found confidence I have gained an extended family and consider DanceSyndrome to be a major part of me being able to live independently.”
Jonathan Rodman aged 35 from Chorley loves to attend DanceSyndrome’s community dance workshop in Hindley. He often leads the dancing along with Dance Leader Jen and Dance Artist Donna and as such has enrolled this year on DanceSyndrome’s Dance By Example training course in Preston, to learn how to co-deliver community dance workshops. Jonathan has Down’s syndrome and is supported by Carole.
“I have been attending DanceSyndrome for a while now and I love going. I have grown in confidence and love being asked to help out with Donna and Jen. I enjoy myself so much that I am now training to be a Dance Leader. I have made new friends, I am good friends with Jen, I look forward to going every week. I think it is fun and a good way to do exercise and I have stayed the same weight even though I can eat more. I have also got muscles on my legs now through exercise”.
Jonathan
“When Jonathan first went to DanceSyndrome, me and other staff had concerns that Jonathan would just do his own thing and not follow the Dance Leaders. When we arrived for the first time, Jonathan saw Jen and said I know Jen from school, she is the same as me. Because of Jen, Jonathan relaxed and to our surprise he followed the dance routines and it wasn’t long before he had learnt them. Jonathan looks forward to dance every week and he really enjoys himself, his confidence has grown and he has been given the opportunity to train as a Dance Leader. This makes him feel important. DanceSyndrome offers an opportunity for people with and without learning disabilities to learn a variety of dances and also a social
environment to meet different people with different abilities and to make new friends. Jonathan’s parents said they looked for years for dance classes but could never find anything suitable and are really pleased that Jonathan is now following his dream. Without DanceSyndrome Jonathan wouldn’t have the opportunity to do something he loves to do. From my point of view, I have been a Support Worker for over 20 years and it’s the best activity I have ever seen. It’s exercise, but it’s also a lot of fun. I love watching everyone having fun, some take longer to learn routines but that is what is so good, there is no pressure on anyone and we all have fun learning. DanceSyndrome is a true asset, and you should be so proud
of your achievement, keep up the good work and thank you.”Carole
She is a masterful dancer and musician who has let nothing get in the way of her dreams.
Jen Blackwell who set up her own dance company, has proved that having Downs Syndrome is no barrier to success.
Her company, DanceSyndrome, is just one of the achievements that former Denby Dale woman Jen, 33, has enjoyed in the 10 years since she was first interviewed by the Huddersfield Examiner. On a mission to become a dance teacher from the age of 19, when she left school, Jen set up not-for-profit DanceSyndrome in 2010 with the help of her parents, managing director Dawn Vickers and dance graduate Sophie Tickle.
Their mission was to help disabled and non-disabled people realise their own dancing ambitions. Now Jen — who has been vicechairwoman of Xylophone orchestra Xylosound in Slaithwaite for the last eight years — is one of the main dance leaders and helps around 50 people develop their own dance skills every week in Manchester, Preston, Chorley and Wigan.
Jen, who is also training to earn a grade four silver standard in ballet, runs the company alongside a team of other dance leaders who also have learning disabilities. It is all the result of not being able to find anything similar when she was trying to obtain training herself for more than 10 years.
It is Jen’s second big dance project, following one she set up with fellow dance enthusiast Emily Fox, who has cerebral palsy, called Dance FX in around 2005 and one that she mans from her new home in Chorley.
Jen said: “To see my dancers smiling, dancing and singing means everything to me, as does seeing them really come on over time.
“An important part of DanceSyndrome is giving those who come along a chance to lead themselves, which I hope will improve their skills to show them that this is something that they can do too.
The long list of performances by Jen’s Dance Syndrome dancers has shown how much the whole troupe has developed. Most notably, they performed at the Lowry in Salford, Manchester Day Parade and on TV with comedian Miranda Hart as part of Comic Relief 2013.
Jen said: “That show was the most emotional moment I’ve had in my life. “I didn’t imagine that I’d be dancing on TV when I was younger — it was a dream come true.”
Jen’s hard work has led to her receiving a nomination at the prestigious National Learning Disabilities Awards. She said: “It’s the most amazing feeling ever.
“Dance is my passion and I just want to be able to share it with as many people as possible and hope that Dance Syndrome will continue to grow so that one day we will hopefully be able to take what we do to other countries.”
But dance is not the only string to talented Jen’s bow. As an accomplished flautist, she has found respected places in two well known regional groups. She is the lead flautist in Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music’s Special Virtuosi orchestra. Jen said: “Focusing on the music rhythms helps with my dance skills — they’re wonderful to be a part of and I’m very thankful to everyone who has helped me achieve my dreams, such as my mum and dad, Dawn, Sophie, and support workers Victoria and Naomi.”
The determination of both Jen and her parents, Sue, 59, and Malcolm, 60, — who still live in Denby Dale — have shown that it is possible for everyone to excel, regardless of disability. Mum Sue is now launching a fundraising campaign to create a film about Jen’s extraordinary journey. She said: “It’s all unreal and I regard myself as unbelievably privileged.
“She’s thriving and living the life she wants to live and is opening up doors to others in a similar position, who normally don’t find a lot of open doors for them.
“It gives them opportunities to explore their gifts as leaders, dancers, team players, soloists and contributors to society and in so doing, they become role models for others.
“We’re trying to find £20,000 to make the video possible with the help of video producer Sima Gonsai to promote the ethos of DanceSyndrome and the demonstrable power of dance to embrace everyone in society.”
Anyone who would like to enquire about making a donation to the project can email Sue at blackwell.sue@gmail.com
We had a fabulous time with lots of other wonderful performers on Preston Flag Market as part of the Racial Equality Councils Standing Together Against Racism event. Julie Ward MEP came along to present DanceSyndrome with a generous donation of £100 and, as a result of our work, agreed to become a patron on the day!! Julie and her Labour MEP colleagues hold the values of inclusion, diversity, freedom and solidarity to be very important in today’s world where many seek to divide us.
A great day was had by all at the Stand Together Against Racism Day on Saturday 21st March 2015. Jen leads the dance…
Posted by DanceSyndrome on Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Jen and Laura performed some of our favourite routines, which were well received by the audience on the day with some saying, “Jen is a wonderful lady, truly inspiring” “I loved Jen’s dance moves, she’s an amazing dancer!!” “What fantastic energy, where can we do more?” Well, to answer that question, Jen runs our Health Zone sessions every Tuesday 10.30am – 12noon at The Masonic Hall, Cunliffe Street, Chorley, PR7 2BR. If you would like to join Jen please contact us on 07411 082599 or email us at admin@dancesyndrome.co.uk
This was a truly successful event for DanceSyndrome, not only seeing us gain a new patron but many new supporters, with dancers from Salsa NorthWest joining in and asking when they could attend some of our classes!!
We even had our MD Dawn Vickers bopping along to our smooth grooves in the Sunshine!!
Sue has set off on her epic challenge cycling 44km for 5 consecutive days to raise money for DanceSyndrome. It's all in…
Posted by DanceSyndrome on Monday, 16 February 2015
Sue has sent through an update!! This is for real then! Now in Ouarzazale. Yesterday was spent transiting into the High…
Posted by DanceSyndrome on Tuesday, 17 February 2015
220km later, delighted, surprised and energised! This has been a revelation. I was so hesitant about accepting this ‘invitation’ seemingly so impossible but being sponsored for DanceSyndrome made all the difference to my determination to raise our profile and support opportunities for people with a learning disability specifically and society as a whole. DanceSyndrome is led by dancers with learning disabilities, uses dance to improve lives, break down barriers and challenge presumptions.
It’s easy to give by signing up to our local giving page ……I do hope you can find some cash to help the cause to raise our profile and support opportunities for people with a learning disability. Find us at LocalGiving and there’s more on our Facebook Page. Every donation counts whether large or small it creates more opportunities.
We cycled in numerous and varied parts of Morocco through good sized towns and tiny backwater villages, on mountain roads with hairpin bends to undulating countryside designed to test even the toughest with no opportunity to freewheel.
We were usually on tarmac though often of dubious repair and frequently narrow where larger vehicles forced us off the road. And then there were the people often living in abject poverty. Far from centres of population we’d encounter a sole person bent double under the weight of huge bundles of harvested brush on their backs, or with a donkey so laden it could barely be seen. Nomads tended small flocks of sheep and dried their clothes on thorn bushes. The women we met were working but men of all ages seemed to be waiting. Waiting for what? I’m not sure they knew, just waiting for something to happen. Excited children ran to meet us to greet us and cheer us on our way whilst in the towns hordes of teenagers on bikes thronged the roads when schools turned out. But mostly the sense was of waiting. Small groups of men dressed in the traditional djellaba with pointed hoods stand at every street corner but almost always a friendly word or wave was returned.
By the end and in spite of of being seriously saddlesore I was having fun and could smile, neither of which I could say of the first two days. I’d definitely undertake another challenge. I am the richer for it and possibly a little fitter. Explore make a point of supporting small local traders whilst knowledge of DanceSyndrome and our mission has reached a wider audience. Please will you help too as we make real differences to people’s lives in the fun filled world which is DanceSyndrome where everyone is richer for their encounters through dance.
Thank you for any and all of your support. It is truly appreciated.
Sue Blackwell
After considerable arm-twisting I agreed to the challenge of 40-50Km a day for a week in Morocco which sounds impossible to a non-cyclist. So training has begun and stepped up hugely on Saturday with a 30 KM round of Pendle Hill which I survived with the considerable support and encouragement of others.
Please support me in my bid to raise funds for DanceSyndrome where donations are appreciated in any form but donating through Local Giving effortlessly converts £10 to £20 or even a little more if you can gift aid it. DanceSyndrome is achieving remarkable outcomes on minimal resources but needs donations, regular donors and fundraisers to continue to grow, develop and make waves. A standing start to prime time TV and now our own training programme with national and international invitations in the offing inside 5 years is impressive by anybodies standards.
Please support me to support DanceSyndrome, addressing social injustice for people with learning disabilities through dance – dancer led, disability inspired.
