It’s lift-off time for DanceSyndrome as Jen’s dream comes true



When Lancashire woman Jen Blackwell, who has Down’s syndrome, found she was struggling to find opportunities to pursue her career ambitions of becoming a dance leader, she decided to take matters into her own hands, writes Simon Jarrett. She set up her own charity – DanceSyndrome.

Established as a community dance project in 2009, DanceSyndrome has received the backing of national funders, including Big Lottery and Spirit 2012, to deliver dance workshops, leadership training and performances across the North West of England – all led by people with disabilities. Now, with Arts Council funding to develop their ‘Orbit’ dance show, the group have been invited to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In August Jen will lead her troupe on tour to the Festival.

The 35-year-old’s struggle to get to this point in her career highlights the challenges people with learning disabilities invariably still face when pursuing their dreams. The charity exists to challenge discrimination and prove that people should not be defined by their disability. Jen and her family found it exceptionally difficult to find opportunities for her to train and work in dance. They spent ten years knocking on doors and being rejected – so decided to take matters into their own hands, and DanceSyndrome was born.

Co-delivery

Central to the DanceSyndrome ethos – and success – has been the vision to use dance to create a level playing field for all, regardless of age or ability. The charity’s approach to co-delivery has transformed the wellbeing of individuals involved and opened the doors to creative, cultural and social opportunities previously closed to them.

Jen has been recognised for her radical work, most notably by being crowned Inspirational Woman of The Year at the Enterprise Vision Awards 2015. She said: “My dreams are coming true and I am looking forward to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Dancing is my life.”

Her parents, Sue and Malcolm Blackwell, who have always supported their daughter to realise her dreams, are very proud of her achievements. According to Sue: “The opportunities for DanceSyndrome that are coming up are all very exciting. The dancers are truly ready for bigger stages. They all want to show people who they are and what they can do – saying, yes, we may have a disability, but we are dancers.”

Expanding

The charity is now expanding its dance leadership training to enable community groups, social care providers and support services to adopt the

DanceSyndrome co-delivery model in their area.

For more information, visit www.dancesyndrome.co.uk or contact Dawn Vickers at dawn@dancesyndrome.co.uk

If you would like to support DanceSyndrome on their journey to Edinburgh Fringe Festival go to www.dancesyndrome.co.uk/fundraising or text donate DANS10 £5 to 70070.