Lancashire-based inclusive dance charity, DanceSyndrome, made headlines this past week as they successfully executed their first ever Environment Week from July 28th to August 1st, 2025. The organization, founded in 2009 by Jen Blackwell who has Down’s syndrome, aims to make dance accessible to individuals with learning disabilities. With a strong focus on inclusion, all DanceSyndrome sessions are disability-led, with participants taking on visible Dance Leader roles.
During Environment Week, regular dance sessions were transformed into creative, environmentally-inspired themes, with Dance Leaders and professional Dance Artists collaborating to explore environmental issues through movement and music. Participants were also encouraged to take part in independent sustainability challenges, such as litter-picking events, preparing meat-free meals, upcycling household items, and using plastic-free alternatives.
The week’s events were co-produced by three passionate Environment Champions from DanceSyndrome: Communications Manager Sarah Calderbank, Professional Development Manager Kate Battersby, and Dance Leader Lucy Burgess. These dedicated individuals spent months developing a week of fun and meaningful activities that were accessible to all.
According to Lucy Burgess, Dance Leader and Environment Champion, “I’m proud to be part of DanceSyndrome’s commitment to the environment. Environment Week was an exciting time for us, as we used dance to promote environmental responsibility and encourage others to join us. The week was not only fun but also made me proud of all the work I have done.”
Sarah Calderbank, Environment Lead, shared, “Our goal was to show that small changes can make a big impact, and that everyone, regardless of ability, can contribute to a better future for our planet. Our team rose to the challenge, with Dance Leaders and Artists co-delivering engaging sessions with environmental themes such as wildlife, plants, the ocean, and recycling. We also held workshops with other arts organizations to challenge our thinking about how dance can create change for a better environment. It has been a week full of learning and breaking down barriers, which is what DanceSyndrome is all about.”
Kate Battersby, Dance Artist and Environment Champion, added, “We offered a variety of activities throughout the week to encourage Dance Leaders to think about the environment. We kicked off the week by contributing to our community through litter-picking at Miller and Avenham Park in Preston. We also enjoyed a mostly plastic-free and meat-free picnic while taking part in an outdoor dance workshop surrounded by nature. On Wednesday, our DS Collective performers worked with poet Claire Beerjeraz to develop some environmental-themed poetry, which they then incorporated into their dance movements. In the afternoon, we were joined by Sima Gonsai Films, who showed her short film on climate change. The Dance Leaders were then able to ask questions and discuss the creative process and ideas presented in the film. It was a unique and creative way to address environmental issues, and it was a great success.”
DanceSyndrome’s commitment to Environmental Responsibility is part of its work as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization. By incorporating sustainability into their 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 and get involved, visit their website at www.dancesyndrome.co.uk or follow them on social media @DanceSyndromeUK. This news story was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
