DanceSyndrome has been invited to take part in an incredible opportunity to share our work with an international audience in Bilbao, Spain.
We have been invited to join an international panel at the 2nd National Congress on Entrepreneurship & Disability that ONCE Foundation is organising joint to the CERMI (a Spanish Committee of Representatives of Persons with Disabilities) and ASEMDIS (an association of entrepreneurs with disabilities in Spain). The congress will take place in Bilbao on the 14th and 15th November 2024.
The congress aims to be a space to share knowledge, experiences and create support networks, exploring the connection between innovative ideas, business skills and diversity as a driver of change. It will be a great opportunity to connect, learn and get started with inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives.
DanceSyndrome Ambassador and Dance Leader David Corr and his mum Jenni will attend the congress, alongside DanceSyndrome Chair Malcolm Blackwell, to contribute to the international panel and share their experiences of entrepreneurship and inclusion as part of their work with DanceSyndrome. David will also be performing a solo dance at an evening reception for congress delegates.
The aim of the international panel is to present inspiring entrepreneurship initiatives from outside Spain that demonstrate inclusion within their organisations and show examples of how it is possible to be accessible for persons with disabilities and meet their support needs.
David said “I was so excited to be invited to represent DanceSyndrome at a conference in Spain. It is amazing and I can’t wait to speak to people at the conference to tell and show them how passionate I am about dance.”
Jenni added “I am the proudest mum ever to be able to take David to Spain to represent DanceSyndrome. He has taken me to many places through his dance, but this tops it all! I am so looking forward to this amazing experience.”
DanceSyndrome Managing Director Julie Nicholson said “During November, members of the DanceSyndrome team are travelling separately to Japan, New York and now Bilbao to demonstrate leadership and inclusion in action! We’re feeling incredibly grateful to the organisations funding these trips, who are investing in a brighter future for people with learning disabilities, where they are valued for their skills and contributions to society in a more equitable way. We’re so proud of our DanceSyndrome representatives, and the people who support them, for the positive ways that they challenge the way that people think about learning disabilities.”
DanceSyndrome is grateful to ONCE Foundation for funding this amazing opportunity for our team to share their knowledge as experts by experience in the field of inclusive dance.
DanceSyndrome’s mission is to challenge perceptions of people with learning disabilities and to demonstrate inclusion in action. We are always keen to pursue opportunities like this that enable us to share good practice in the field of disability inclusion. Please get in touch with us if you are aware of any other opportunities like this that we could get involved in.
We are looking to commission a videographer to engage with us to document a high-profile project which is being delivered at a national level.
You may have read the recent news that DanceSyndrome has been commissioned to deliver our bespoke ‘Inclusion in Action’ workshops as part of a new national Foundation of Nursing Studies’ (FoNS) programme for inpatient Ward Managers who are working across mental health, learning disability and autism (MHLDA) services.
DanceSyndrome was chosen as one of the delivery partners for the Inpatient Mental Health Ward Manager Development Programme because of our co-production model which enables people with learning disabilities to work collaboratively in the design and delivery of workshops. ‘Inclusion in Action’ has been designed exclusively by DanceSyndrome’s team, based on knowledge and personal experience. Through the half-day sessions, participants will explore DanceSyndrome’s approach to inclusivity and consider barriers that people with learning disabilities may face and explore how they can break down some of these barriers in their own settings.
We would like to document the process of co-delivering these workshops and the impact of this work, so we have created a brief for a videography opportunity which outlines the details of this project. We invite interested parties to express their interest by the deadline of 12pm on Friday 25th October. You can download the full brief and details of how to express an interest here: Videography Opportunity Brief.
Our team will work with the chosen videographer to identify key workshops which will take place between November 2024 and March 2025 which can be filmed to achieve the goals outlined in the brief and will provide as much advance notice as possible. Please be aware that the workshops are being delivered in all seven NHS regions, so there will be travel required across England.
If you are interested in this videography opportunity, we invite you to provide an expression of interest outlining your work, along with a quotation (with details of travel expenses charges) and examples of your previous work to Sarah Calderbank, Communications and Marketing Manager, via sarah@dancesyndrome.co.uk. The deadline for expressions of interest is 12pm on Friday 25th October.
Members of the DanceSyndrome team have been invited to travel to Japan to demonstrate the way that they support people with learning disabilities to be leaders, as part of a pioneering project by LAND FES to promote inclusion in Japanese society.
At DanceSyndrome, we empower people with and without learning disabilities to believe they can achieve their ambitions in life and that having a disability should never be a barrier to following your dreams. All of our dance sessions are co-produced by professional Dance Artists working side by side with qualified Dance Leaders with a learning disability to co-deliver high quality inclusive dance sessions for everyone to enjoy together. The Dance Leaders are all visible members of their communities, who can regularly be seen leading workshops, dance performances and community activities.
In September 2023, we welcomed an international student, from University of Central Lancashire, called Ayuko Hara to volunteer in our Weekly Company Class sessions in Preston. Ayuko was so inspired by her time with DanceSyndrome that she reported this back to a colleague in Japan called Dai Matsuoka, who programmes the Tokyo Accessible Dance Festival on behalf of an organisation called LAND FES.
Dai reached out to the DanceSyndrome team to ask about the potential for them to share DanceSyndrome’s approach to co-leadership in Tokyo. Funding for this project was secured in Japan from Arts Council Tokyo and four members of the DanceSyndrome team will be travelling to Japan in November 2024 for a 10 day visit which will enable them to share our co-production methodology, supporting Japanese Dance Artists and dancers with learning disabilities to become more inclusive in their delivery of dance activities, with a view to encouraging greater inclusion in the wider society in Japan, which currently is not as advanced as in the UK.
Tokyo-based LAND FES has been working on projects that build creative relationships between dancers and people from all walks of life, including people with disabilities, the elderly and young people receiving support for employment. Through international collaboration and interaction, they have learned that in Japan there are not enough examples of different work and creative processes that encourage inclusion in dance.
Co-produced inclusive dance workshops are very hard to find in Japan and there isn’t a system to share learning so that professional dancers can work in an inclusive way, meaning it is even more difficult for people with disabilities to learn to be leaders in dance and other aspects of society. LAND FES is keen to break this cycle by creating new opportunities, increasing accessibility to inclusive dance and deepening the understanding of its value within wider culture.
Dai Matsuoka from LAND FES said “I feel very honoured and thrilled that we have been able to invite DanceSyndrome members to Tokyo this November. As an organization that is committed to develop and promote inclusive dance in Japan, LAND FES will benefit so much from this international collaboration project. I believe that DanceSyndrome’s unique program should be shared more and permeated to empower people with disabilities all over the world.”
Julie Nicholson, DanceSyndrome Managing Director, said “This project embodies everything that DanceSyndrome stands for. We want to change the way that people think about learning disabilities by sharing the ways that we put inclusion and co-production into practice every single day. Our mission is to go out into the world and demonstrate that people with learning disabilities are able to be dancers and leaders or anything else that they want to be, as long as they are given the right support and opportunities to do that. We are so proud to have been invited to travel to Japan to be held up as an example of what good co-production looks like on an international level.”
DanceSyndrome Dance Leader John Burrow will be travelling to Japan with the team. He said “I’m excited to be going to Japan to share the Dance By Example workshops that I co-deliver here in the UK. Through DanceSyndrome I’ve gained social life, I’ve gained friends and a new outlook on my life. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself so when there’s moments of self-doubt I’m now able to kind of go “no, I can do this.” I’m looking forward to being able to share that with new people in Japan too!”
The DanceSyndrome representatives will be in Japan from 1st to 10th November 2024. Photos and videos from the trip will be shared on our social media channels. Make sure you follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and YouTube to stay up to date!
DanceSyndrome has been commissioned to deliver our bespoke ‘Inclusion in Action’ workshops as part of a new national Foundation of Nursing Studies’ (FoNS) programme for inpatient Ward Managers who are working across mental health, learning disability and autism (MHLDA) services.
FoNS is a national charity which works directly with nurses and health and social care teams to develop and share innovative ways of improving practice, thereby enabling them to provide care that is high quality, evidence based and meets the needs of those receiving care and their families. They have been commissioned to deliver a Ward Manager Leadership Development Programme as part of NHS England’s MHLDA Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme.
The aim of the overall Quality Transformation programme is to create a new vision for inpatient services where people are treated with compassion, experience care that is safe and therapeutic, and the staff and people they support can flourish. Ward Managers are crucial to the development of cultures of care that impact positively on outcomes and experiences for patients, families, carers and staff. The aim of the FoNS-led programme is to enable MHLDA inpatient Ward Managers to develop their leadership practices to ensure that they can work collaboratively with others towards realising the Culture of Care Standards.
DanceSyndrome was chosen as one of the delivery partners for the Inpatient Mental Health Ward Manager Development Programme because of our co-production model which enables people with learning disabilities to work collaboratively in the design and delivery of workshops. ‘Inclusion in Action’ has been designed exclusively by DanceSyndrome’s team, based on knowledge and personal experience. Through the half-day sessions, participants will explore DanceSyndrome’s approach to inclusivity and consider barriers that people with learning disabilities may face and explore how they can break down some of these barriers in their own settings.
The 180 Ward Managers from across England who take part in the programme will learn through seven full day workshops spread over six months. A variety of learning approaches will be used including creativity, reflection and discussion to draw on Ward Managers’ experiences of work to enhance their knowledge, skills and confidence as leaders of culture change.
DanceSyndrome Managing Director Julie Nicholson said “We are delighted to have been chosen by FoNS to support with the co-production and co-delivery of this vital programme. Everyone at DanceSyndrome is proud of our inclusive approach to delivering development opportunities, and it is absolutely wonderful to be recognised by a pioneering organisation like FoNS. We can’t wait to start delivering these workshops and share our ‘Inclusion in Action’ learning!”
DanceSyndrome Trustee Peter Pamphlett is the Dance Leader who will be co-delivering on the project. He said, “I’m looking forward to co-delivering these workshops and travelling around the country to tell people about DanceSyndrome and our inclusive dance work. I have delivered a lot of training before, but this is a really big project for us and I’m very proud to be involved.”
If your organisation is interested in Leadership or Inclusion workshops, please visit the “Working Together” page of our website.
As part of DanceSyndrome’s mission to change the way that people think about learning disabilities, we have launched new film series encouraging people to consider a career in Learning Disability Nursing.
DanceSyndrome was commissioned by NHS England to create some short, informational videos which demonstrate that people with learning disabilities can live fulfilled lives when given the right support and how fulfilling and rewarding it can be to work as a Learning Disability Nurse.
The videos present inspiring case studies of people with learning disabilities who have had life-changing support from Learning Disability Nurses and current Learning Disability Nurses and students who talk about their career progression and why they love the role.
DanceSyndrome Dance Leader, Jodie Turner, is introduced in one the films. Jodie and her parents discuss the vital need for Learning Disability Nurses in Jodie’s life, and they introduce viewers to Alice Waddington, who was a trainee nurse when she first met Jodie. Alice is now a fully qualified Learning Disability Nurse and through the video we follow a day in her life and get to see how much she enjoys her role. The series also introduces a number of other nurses who also speak about their passion for the job, their personal reasons for choosing a career in nursing and why it is such an important part of who they are, creating a strong message throughout the series of films about the need for the role and why it’s important that more people join the profession.
DanceSyndrome Managing Director Julie Nicholson said “When NHS England came to us with this project, we were really excited to get involved. One of the most important parts of our mission is to change the way that people think about people with learning disabilities and what they can achieve with the right support. We know how important it is to get that support right in all aspects of a person’s life, so we truly value the role of Learning Disability Nurses and the significant impact that they can have through their career.
“We hope that the films highlight the importance of supporting people with learning disabilities and why it’s important that we work towards a society that is truly inclusive and accessible. We are proud of the films because you can clearly see what good care looks like, how passionate people in the profession are and you can truly understand why we need more people to become Learning Disability Nurses.
“DanceSyndrome has always aspired to extend our inclusive practices and impact beyond the dance world and into society in general and we hope that these films will inspire people to think about a career working with people with Learning Disabilities.”
Ellie Gordon, Senior Nurse for Learning Disability and Mental Health in the national NHS Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, said, “I do hope these films will support people with learning disabilities by inspiring people to think about a career working with people with learning disabilities and highlight why it is so important that we create a truly inclusive society.
“DanceSyndrome takes a unique and totally different approach to co-production where people who don’t have a learning disability lead the work and involve those with a learning disability. The videos that have been created speak not only to people with learning disabilities but also to learning disability nurses.”
If you are inspired by the films and would like to know more about careers in Learning Disability Nursing, please visit the NHS Health Careers Website
You can view the full playlist of videos on our YouTube Channel.
Thank you to Mike Berry at Everyone Media for his work on these films. If you would like to read more about our partnership with Mike, please visit the Corporate Partnerships page on our website.
DanceSyndrome is celebrating after the charity and one of our Co-Founders were both recognised with Gold Stevie® Awards at the Annual International Business Awards®
DanceSyndrome was named as the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the “Organization of the Year – Non-Profit or Government Organizations – Small” category in the 21st Annual International Business Awards® on Wednesday 14th August 2024. Our Co-Founder and Trustee Sue Blackwell was also recognised as the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the “Thought Leader of The Year – Government or Non-Profit” category.
The International Business Awards are the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organisations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – are eligible to submit nominations. The 2024 IBAs received entries from organisations in 62 nations and territories. Winners will be celebrated during a gala banquet at the InterContinental Hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye on Friday 11 October 2024.
More than 3,600 nominations from organisations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year. Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 300 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process in June and July. Judges shared comments about why they felt DanceSyndrome was a worthy winner of the award:
“DanceSyndrome’s journey is truly remarkable, showcasing exceptional dedication to inclusivity and empowerment. From national awards to pioneering initiatives with NHS, their impact on breaking stereotypes and fostering community integration through dance is both inspiring and profound. Their recognition at prestigious events like the Northern Music Awards and commendation at the Northern Power Women Awards underscore their invaluable contribution to social equity and cultural wellbeing.”
“Your entry is incredibly inspiring and demonstrates a transformative impact on individuals and communities. The significant funding and recognition you’ve received reflect your dedication and excellence. The projects and collaborations you’ve undertaken, especially with the NHS, showcase your innovative approach to inclusivity. The awards and honors for your co-founders and organization highlight the leadership and commitment driving DanceSyndrome’s success. Your performances and the success of the youth dance group further illustrate your broad impact. Your work not only empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities but also sets a powerful example of what inclusivity and community engagement can achieve.”
“Sue Blackwell’s commitment to championing the rights and potential of individuals with learning disabilities is notable. She provides a voice to those often unheard, demonstrates the transformative power of support, and she’s dedicated to respecting human rights, and fostering opportunities and supporting aspirations for all.”
Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller said “We’ve long considered The International Business Awards to be the ‘Olympics for the workplace,’ and this year’s competition is the best-ever proof of that. The winners have demonstrated that their organizations have set and achieved lofty goals. We congratulate them on their recognized achievements, and look forward to celebrating them on stage in Istanbul on 11 October.”
DanceSyndrome Founder Jen Blackwell has received significant recognition for her own contribution to DanceSyndrome’s work, most recently receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Salford in July 2024 and a British Empire Medal for Services to Disabled People in the first King’s Birthday Honours in June 2023. Jen said “Winning awards shows that people with learning disabilities can do amazing things with their lives if given a chance. I do have Down’s syndrome but that doesn’t define me. I believe that everybody can dance and do things they love no matter how other people define us.”
Julie Nicholson, Managing Director at DanceSyndrome said “At DanceSyndrome we firmly believe that people with learning disabilities can achieve anything that they set their mind to if they are supported to follow their dreams. Our inclusive dance work gives people opportunities to become visible leaders and have their voices heard on issues that are important to them. Being celebrated at an international level by the Stevie Awards is significant recognition because it shows that our vision and values impact far beyond the North West communities that we directly work within. Our activities are all co-produced so this award demonstrates that people with learning disabilities can, and do, make a significant contribution to international society and should be celebrated. We’re so proud of our team and their incredible achievements!”
You can find out more about the other awards which DanceSyndrome has received on the Awards page of our website. If you would like to support our work, you can find out more on the Support Us page.
DanceSyndrome is delighted to announce a new Trustee. Rachel Drazek is joining us as a Trustee with expertise in inclusive dance practice.
Rachel is a dance theatre maker and PhD candidate at Coventry University. Her movement practice uses a person-centred approach and aims to foster agency and confidence in body expression. She has a successful professional career making work for Stellar Quines and Birds of Paradise Theatre Company amongst others and a strong education and community practice.
As a researcher, Rachel’s PhD is investigating Intimacy and Inclusion in dance, and she is particularly interested in the potential of dance as a vehicle for change.
Originally from Preston, Rachel now spends much of her time in Portugal with her young daughter and big dog.
Rachel said “I am incredibly proud to be joining DanceSyndrome as a Trustee as I strongly believe in the work the company is doing – in its commitment to increasing participation in dance and supporting people to feel good when moving their bodies. I am joining at such an exciting time and feel honoured to be a part of the development of the company in the years ahead.”
Julie Nicholson, Managing Director at DanceSyndrome said “DanceSyndrome has ambitious plans for growth in the next 6 years and we can only do this successfully under the expert guidance of our Board of Trustees. We are delighted to welcome Rachel as a Trustee and we are sure with such a strong background in dance that she will be a valuable addition to the Board. Rachel has a real passion for inclusion too it will be a real positive for us to hear her perspective on how we move forward as a North-West leader in inclusive dance practice. It’s a very exciting time for our charity!”
You can read more about our Trustees on the About Us page of the website.
Jen Blackwell, DanceSyndrome co-founder, has been awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Salford. She has been named a Doctor of Arts for her work inspiring both disabled and non disabled people to dance.
Jen, who has Down’s syndrome, set up DanceSyndrome in 2009. Since then, thousands of lives have been transformed through her work. Jen aims to get the world dancing and showcase what is possible for people with disabilities.
Jen collected her Honorary Degree on Friday 12th July at a University of Salford graduation ceremony at the Lowry Theatre. In an emotional acceptance speech, she thanked the University for highlighting her work: “Thank you for recognising what’s possible for anyone, even those of us with learning disabilities. Everyone, with the right support can Dream, Believe and Achieve.”
DanceSyndrome holds weekly workshops for disabled and non disabled dancers. They have performed for audiences nationwide, and Jen is a frequent guest speaker at events raising awareness about disability. As well as multiple TV appearances, Jen and DanceSyndrome have danced at The Lowry theatre in Salford as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe to name a few.
Jen already has strong links with the University of Salford, which offers the UK’s oldest integrated Learning Disabilities and Social Work Course. The programme is crucial due to the shortage of Learning Disability nurses and social workers locally and nationally. The programme has been running since 1995 and has an excellent reputation in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Salford’s course is recognised for its commitment to working in partnership with people with learning disabilities, and Jen is regularly invited in to lead a workshop for students and to talk about the value of seeing people with learning disabilities as unique individuals with skills and talents.
Jen said: “Having had the opportunity to share what’s possible with students at Salford University they’ve learnt not to underestimate people like me when they meet us or work with us. The University of Salford has helped me spread my message that anyone can have fun moving their body, in whatever way is available to them.”
Jen was nominated for the Honorary Degree at the University by her friend Sarah Kennedy, who was involved in helping her set up DanceSyndrome. Sarah was also a lecturer at the University for 17 years, contributing to the delivery of the integrated programme.
Sarah said: “Jen being awarded an Honorary Doctorate is so important as it is in recognition of her many achievements both personally and professionally. People with learning disabilities are at risk of living less active lives for a number of reasons, and so getting people dancing is a wonderful thing.
“The Award demonstrates that with the right support, people with learning disabilities can be leaders. DanceSyndrome works because everything that they do is in partnership with people with learning disabilities. Everything is co-produced and equal. People with learning disabilities have been treated as second class citizens for so long, so examples of where people’s skills and talents are valued should be celebrated. It is wonderful that the university recognises the importance of this and Jen’s pivotal part in it.”
In 2023, Jen was accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and she was recognized for her services to Disabled People in the King’s Birthday Honours with a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Details about Salford’s Integrated Practice Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work Course are available on this page on their website.
If you would like to support the life-changing work carried out by Jen and the DanceSyndrome team, you can donate directly using the form below.
Call out for youth dance company to collaborate with DS Youth Collective.
Register your interest using the form below for Connect, Create and Collaborate.
DanceSyndrome’s DS Youth Collective would like to “Connect, Create and Collaborate” with another youth dance group to create a collaborative performance piece in 2024/25.
DS Youth Collective is an inclusive youth performance company based in Blackburn, Lancashire. We would like to collaborate with another youth group to create a new piece of work that will be performed at high profile dance platforms, as well as at DanceSyndrome’s annual showcase in Autumn 2025.
Aims of the project:
• Connect local youth groups
• Inspire performers and audiences
• Enhance learning about dance and inclusion
• Create a performance piece that will be applied to dance platforms
• Build confidence around working collaboratively with others
This project made possible by funding from Arts Council England. We have funding to cover the planning and delivery costs of 2 Dance Artists per youth group to support 2 days of intensive delivery and 1 session per month for 7 months. A schedule for these workshops will be confirmed mutually between DS Youth Collective and the chosen partner youth company. Our intention is to start the project in early Autumn 2024.
If you are interested in collaborating on this project, please complete the form below with as much detail as possible by Monday 12th August 2024. Our team will review the responses and contact the interested groups to discuss the selection process by the middle of September 2024.
iCreate: Choreographic Showcase
DanceSyndrome presents
iCreate: Choreographic Showcase
The Media Factory – Preston
Monday 1st July 2024 – 6:30pm
iCreate: Choreographic Showcase will comprise of 7 new dance pieces which have been created by members of the DS Collective performance company, who each wanted to gain experience of being a Choreographer.
Everything you will see and hear, from lighting, costumes, set design, music and movements, will be the independent ideas of the individuals presenting work.
Be prepared for the unexpected as we go from Barbie™️ to OuttaSpace and even Micheal Jackson! This event is about celebrating what happens when someone who is new to Choreography is enabled and allowed complete creative freedom!
The showcase will be opened by our DS Youth Collective, who have been working with us since September 2023 to develop their performance skills and gain valuable experience of working in an inclusive dance collective.
Each new choreographer has created a video about their new piece. You can watch these below:
