A Lancashire-based inclusive dance charity, DanceSyndrome, has successfully concluded its first Environment Week from Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st, 2025. This week-long event aimed to use the power of dance to initiate conversations and action around environmental responsibility.
DanceSyndrome, a multi-award-winning charity, was founded in 2009 by Jen Blackwell, who has Down’s syndrome. Blackwell started the organization after facing difficulties in finding inclusive dance opportunities for people with learning disabilities in her community. The charity’s sessions are led by individuals with learning disabilities, with the aim of inspiring others to see the potential of inclusivity.
As part of Environment Week, regular dance sessions were transformed into creative, environment-inspired themes. Professional dance artists collaborated with DanceSyndrome’s learning disability Dance Leaders to develop themes that allowed participants to explore environmental issues through movement and music.
In addition to dance sessions, participants were also encouraged to take part in independent sustainability challenges. These challenges included litter-picking events, preparing meat-free meals, upcycling household items, and switching to plastic-free alternatives.
The Environment Week was co-produced by three passionate Environment Champions from DanceSyndrome – Sarah Calderbank, Communications Manager, Kate Battersby, Professional Development Manager, and Lucy Burgess, Dance Leader. The trio spent several months developing a week of fun and meaningful activities that were accessible to all.
Lucy Burgess, Dance Leader and Environment Champion, expressed her pride in being a part of DanceSyndrome’s Environment Week. She said, “Environment Week was really exciting. I have loved encouraging people to join us and think about helping the planet through dancing. The week was fun and made me feel proud of all the work I have done.”
Sarah Calderbank, Environment Lead, added, “We wanted to show that small changes can be enjoyable and achievable, and that everyone, no matter their ability, can find ways to create a better future for our people and planet. Our team rose to the challenge, with Dance Leaders and Dance Artists co-delivering fun and engaging sessions with environment themes based around wildlife, plants, the ocean, and recycling. They also took part in workshops themselves, which were delivered by other arts organizations to challenge their thinking about how dance can create change for a better environment. It’s been a week full of learning and challenging perceptions for everyone, which is what DanceSyndrome is all about!”
Kate Battersby, Dance Artist and Environment Champion, also shared her thoughts on the event, saying, “We have offered some really interesting activities this week to encourage Dance Leaders to think about the environment. On Monday, we went to Miller and Avenham Park in Preston to contribute to our community through some litter picking. Then we enjoyed a mostly plastic-free and meat-free picnic and did a dance workshop outdoors surrounded by nature. On Wednesday morning, our DS Collective performers worked with poet Claire Beerjeraz to develop some environment themed poetry, which they then used as a stimulus to inspire dance movements. Then in the afternoon, Sima Gonsai Films joined us to show her short film about climate change. After the film, Dance Leaders were encouraged to ask questions about the film’s creative process and the ideas that it raises. It was an interesting and creative way to think about environmental issues, and it was a real success.”
DanceSyndrome’s commitment to environmental responsibility is part of its work as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization. By incorporating sustainability into its daily activities and creative work, the charity hopes to challenge societal perceptions and make environmental responsibility and dance accessible to all.
To learn more about DanceSyndrome or get involved with their cause, visit their website at www.dancesyndrome.co.uk or follow them on social media @DanceSyndromeUK.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.