Jen Blackwell and Donna Wheeldon explain the power of inclusive co-production in the creative arts.
All our sessions are co-produced with professional Dance Artists working side by side with trained and qualified Dance Leaders who have a learning disability, and together they co-produce high quality inclusive dance sessions for everyone to enjoy together. We aim to inspire people when they see what can be achieved when we all become more inclusive—when they see people with learning disabilities co-leading inclusive dance sessions and taking visible Dance Leader roles. The Dance Leaders are all visible members of their communities, who can regularly be seen leading workshops, dance performances and community activities. There is beauty in every movement each person can make, and everyone can benefit from activities that develop physical, mental and emotional connection to the individual and with others. We’re growing a community that listens, nurtures, encourages and responds to the individual needs of diverse groups with and without disabilities.
When the two of us first co-led some dance workshops, the session was magical. Never had Donna seen such joy, love, and passion from a group. Every session from then on continued the same: fun and loving.
Co-delivery means we invite everybody in to have fun and be creative, because we believe anybody can dance and can also be a leader with the right support. The co-delivery is really important because it helps people with learning disabilities to see disabled leaderships and to see the potential in themselves and others.
When asked why our co-production model is so important to her, Jen says she knows she has Down’s Syndrome, but her disability doesn’t define her. DanceSyndrome is giving her a voice. We lead the community workshops together. Dance is a vehicle, it’s a driving force. That’s what we believe in. “DanceSyndrome is my life, it makes me want to keep going because we have people who support us. It’s important that you have fun, do something that makes you laugh and always be kind to yourself and to those around you. That’s what we do at DanceSyndrome. We can do anything if we work together.”
It’s the “working together” that makes this unique. We realise that support is vital to helping people with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. As a carer, Donna knows that every day can be different. Everyone has their ups and downs, but it is a pure pleasure to work in partnership with Jen. Donna is so grateful to have this opportunity to champion the rights of those with learning disabilities and to show the way forward, and Jen is an amazing role model. She has won so many awards in the time Donna has known her, but her proudest moments, was being recognised in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours with a BEM for Services to Disabled People and then receiving an Honorary Degree from the University of Salford in July 2024. She was named a Doctor of Arts for her work inspiring both disabled and non-disabled people to dance. Her inspiring speech at the graduation ceremony received a standing ovation. Jen said “I was proud 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. I want everyone to have the chances that I’ve had and to be able to make their voices heard, so I want my charity to keep growing as much as it can. Being recognised in the King’s Honours helps us to tell more people about our amazing charity. I was thrilled that I was given a BEM. I’m amazed to receive awards for what I love doing. I’m proud of who I am and the achievements of DanceSyndrome. It’s an honour to inspire others to dance and live a life of their choosing. I believe that everybody can dance and do things they love no matter how other people define us.”
Jen Blackwell
Jen Blackwell is Founder, Director and Dance Leader of the charity DanceSyndrome. Donna Wheeldon is a Dance Artist and DanceSyndrome's Technique & Community Lead. Donna is also Lead Carer for Jen.
Website: dancesyndrome.co.uk
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