DanceSyndrome quicksteps towards 2020 vision

By TWA Marketing and Communications

04 Mar 2020

DanceSyndrome, the Lancashire-based, national award-winning charity, is celebrating ten years of supporting learning-disabled people through the power of dance. But its ambitions for the next decade lie way beyond the Red Rose county.

The dream of founder Jen Blackwell who has Down’s Syndrome, DanceSyndrome holds inclusive dance sessions predominantly within the North West to deliver leadership, participation, performance and training opportunities to learning-disabled people. Those without disabilities, but with an interest in dance, are also warmly welcomed.

Sessions run from centres in Preston, Clitheroe, Accrington, Chorley and Wigan. In the last 12 months more than 5,500 people have been reached with workshops and performances taking place as far afield as Nottingham, Edinburgh and London.

Catapulted into the spotlight as a champion for services to disabled people, helped Jen secure a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2019. She is included in The Shaw Trust Disability Power List 100, an annual publication of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

Jen launched the charity not only to indulge her love of dance but also to realise her potential as a dance leader, ability to instruct and encourage others.

Jen said: “DanceSyndrome is my dream come true and it’s helping so many others like me to lead better lives.

“Our workshops don’t only help people with their physical and mental wellbeing, they also ensure they gain the life, communication and transferable employability skills to help them find work and enjoy the same ways of living as all around them.”

Current figures estimate that just 17 per cent of adults with a learning disability in England are in paid work, compared to 74 per cent of the general population.

Set against a backdrop of funding cuts and increased costs, DanceSyndrome launched its ‘Perfect 10’ campaign in September 2019. The 10-week fundraising mission was to raise £10,000 to mark the charity’s anniversary and, more importantly, to enable it to continue to deliver the dance sessions that have become vital not only for participants but also for their carers and families. While this target was reached within 10 weeks, the constant need to raise money to survive and then to grow remains.

DanceSyndrome managing director, Dawn Vickers, is realistic about the challenges faced by the charity despite its remarkable successes. She says: “In the current economic climate there is increased pressure on our resources and intense competition for funding, while the major funding streams we have relied on in previous years are coming to an end.

“The Perfect 10 campaign helped remind the local community of how much difference we make to those who are in a vulnerable position and those for whom DanceSyndrome provides the physical, mental and social support without which their quality of life would be diminished. The £10,000 we raised is brilliant, but to survive and achieve our targets we need to carry on gaining regular support and donations.”

The support of local businesses is vital and Dawn believes that corporate fundraising and sponsorship can yield huge benefits to participating companies, large and small.

Dawn continues: “We couldn’t have achieved the fantastic things we have as a charity or have such vision for our growth without the help of some of our key corporate supporters. They understand the pressures charities are under and align with our business model, and hopefully help set us up for a healthy future which will see us support thousands more disabled people.

“Joining with us on this journey can help businesses position themselves as champions of diversity, equality and inclusion locally and nationally whilst bring together employees united towards helping a worthwhile cause.

“We recognise the commercial benefits of sponsorship available to our corporate partners as well as being massively appreciative of the financial contribution they make to our continued operation. As we continue to grow we are keen to partner with similarly-minded organisations, locally and nationally.”

One such company is Preston-based, Champion Accountants, which has provided business consultancy and accountancy services to streamline operations and scale the charity in line with its growth plans.

Russell Spencer, client manager at Champion Accountants, commented: “Ten years is a huge milestone for DanceSyndrome, and Jen and her team are some of the hardest working people we have met. It has been a privilege to be part of its growth journey so far, and we’re proud to have been the company entrusted with helping DanceSyndrome achieve its social franchise ambitions. The work the charity does is truly life-changing for many, and we will continue to play a key role in the delivery of its services as this worthy cause grows to become a household name across the whole of the UK.”

Figures estimate that 90% of charities fail within the first five years of operations, but DanceSyndrome continues to defy these odds.

“We’re not resting on our laurels,” says Dawn. “Our first target is the £100,000 to survive and maintain current services, reach and quality. Then comes national expansion. Without laying the right foundation we won’t be around to achieve our bigger ambitions, so now’s the time for supporters to get on board.”

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin