DanceSyndrome is a unique North West based dance company.

Established in 2009, DanceSyndrome is the inspiration of founder and Director, Jen Blackwell, an aspiring community dance leader, who happens to have Down’s syndrome.

DanceSyndrome believes that everyone has the right to follow their own interests and passions – regardless of whether they have a disability or not; and exists to support Jen, and other dancers like her, who are learning disabled and want to inspire others to share their love of dance through inclusive workshops and performances.

How we came about…

The company came about because Jen has an incredible passion for dance but was faced with so many challenges and obstacles in finding suitable training and performance opportunities, she decided to form her own company.

Supported by UnLtd – a charity which supports people with a vision, who want to change the world for the better – Jen went on to recruit 13 more dancers, all from the North West, with a 50:50 mix of dancers with learning disabilities and non-disabled dancers. DanceSyndrome is the only dance initiative in the North West, which is not only disability led, but also seeks to train and employ dancers with learning disabilities to deliver dance workshops and performances.

‘I live for dance – it’s my passion and my life. I have a right to a life of my choosing. My future lies in dance and I want to share the fun and my passion for dance, and get others dancing’  Jen Blackwell, founder and Director of DanceSyndrome

Our aims:

• To enable and improve people’s live through dance;
• To be an inclusive dance company that is disability led – with people with learning disabilities at the forefront of its leadership and delivery;
• To develop a resource of skilled, confident dance leaders, and contribute to their professional development, increasing independence and employment opportunities;
• To increase opportunities for people with learning disabilities to access dance – as dance leaders, workshop participants, dancers or audience members;
• To create an infrastructure that supports people with learning difficulties in their chosen career path of dance, including: offering training, mentoring and access to dance classes, in order to increase their independence and employment opportunities both with DanceSyndrome and other organisations.
• To increase the availability and accessibility of fun and inclusive dance workshops for people with disabilities, increasing their fitness and mental well-being;
• To provide a regular space where inclusive dance can be developed, friends made and leadership skills practised.
• To become a sustainable social enterprise.

Activities

DanceSyndrome currently delivers:

• Community workshops led by 1 disabled and 1 non-disabled dancer, to a range of participants, many with learning disabilities – from Chorley Arts Partnership to Action for the Blind;
• Public performances – e.g. at Trafford Open Dance, The Lowry and Oldham Carnival;
• Training for the company through monthly dance development days and external professional development opportunities.

We provide workshops and performances across the North West but have also performed at events nationally. We have had regular workshops in Trafford, Oldham and Salford.

To date, the company has delivered approximately 70 workshops to more than 1,000 people, and performed publicly on more than 15 occasions.

How we are managed

DanceSyndrome is a social enterprise limited by guarantee (company no: 06838429), governed by an experienced Board of Directors and supported by an advisory committee. The company is managed on a day to day basis by a small team of part-time staff and a range of volunteers.

DanceSyndrome is currently supported by Awards for All, Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust, Trafford Council and UnLtd.

“DanceSyndrome is good. I’m talking to more people and feeling more confident” learning disabled dance leader