Public health champion joins DanceSyndrome board

Prof Jamie Waterall, a high profile leader in the public health field, is to join the board of trustees at DanceSyndrome.

The multi award-winning, Accrington-based charity uses dance to provide life-changing opportunities for people with Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities.

Jamie currently serves as England’s deputy chief public health nurse at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, which forms part of the Department of Health and Social Care.

He has been aware of DanceSyndrome’s work for several years, having met the DanceSyndrome team at an NHS conference and following them on social media and at other events.

He has enjoyed a varied career, working across local, regional, national, and global positions within the health and care sector. He has led several high-profile policy areas such as the NHS Health Check, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Family Nurse Partnership programmes.

He has published on a wide range of subjects and continues to hold several honorary appointments, such as his Honorary Professorial positions at the University of Nottingham and the University of Hull.

Jamie said “I am excited to have been appointed as a trustee at DanceSyndrome. To have found an organisation which aspires to create a world which promotes inclusivity, social connectivity, physical activity, and improved wellbeing is so very special. I am really looking forward to working with the team to ensure that we now grow and develop the impact of the charity, whilst also having lots of fun along the way.”

Julie Nicholson, managing director at DanceSyndrome, said: “DanceSyndrome is going through a time of significant growth, and we are keen to have a board of trustees that reflects that. We were looking for someone with experience in health and social care who could help to align our work with national health and wellbeing objectives and Jamie is definitely the right person for this role. We’re really excited about what the future holds for us and are so glad Jamie is joining us on this journey.” 

Jen Blackwell, DanceSyndrome founder, dance leader and trustee, said: “People with learning disabilities need to be treated more equally in society and DanceSyndrome sets an example of how to do that, not just in dance. We think Jamie will do a brilliant job of helping us to share this DanceSyndrome message.”