DanceSydrome, a charity founded in Lancashire in 2009, has been selected to travel to Japan to showcase their innovative approach in supporting individuals with learning disabilities to become leaders. This project is part of a larger effort to promote inclusion in Japanese society.
Through dance, DanceSyndrome has been able to transform lives and bring joy, hope, and opportunities to people with learning disabilities and their families. Their unique approach empowers individuals with and without learning disabilities to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams despite any challenges they may face.
At DanceSyndrome, individuals with learning disabilities take on leadership roles and co-lead inclusive dance sessions alongside professional Dance Artists. These sessions are co-produced to ensure a high-quality and enjoyable experience for all participants. The DanceSyndrome Dance Leaders are active members of their communities, regularly leading workshops, performances, and other activities.
Their work has been nationally recognized through partnerships with organizations such as NHS England, Foundation of Nursing Studies, and National Lottery Community Foundation. They have also received funding from Arts Council England and have been named a 2023-26 National Portfolio Organisation.
In 2024, DanceSyndrome received a Gold Award in the International Stevie Awards as the non-profit or Government ‘Organization of the Year’. This recognition has led to an invitation from Tokyo Accessible Dance Festival to share their inclusive approach with Japanese Dance Artists and dancers with learning disabilities.
The collaboration began in 2023 when Ayuko Hara, an international student at the University of Central Lancashire, volunteered with DanceSyndrome. After being inspired by her experience, Ayuko shared her thoughts with colleague Dai Matsuoka, who is involved with LAND FES, the organization behind the Tokyo Accessible Dance Festival.
Funding for this project was secured through Arts Council Tokyo, and four members of the DanceSyndrome team will travel to Japan in November 2024 for a 10-day visit. They will share their co-production methodology and support Japanese Dance Artists and dancers with learning disabilities to promote inclusivity in their dance activities. The ultimate goal is to encourage greater inclusion in Japanese society.
LAND FES, based in Tokyo, works to build creative relationships between dancers and people from all walks of life, including those with disabilities, the elderly, and young people seeking employment. Through this collaboration, they have recognized the lack of inclusive dance workshops and a system to share knowledge and resources in Japan. They are eager to break this cycle and create new opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become leaders in dance and other aspects of society.
Dai Matsuoka from LAND FES expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “I feel very honoured and thrilled that we have been able to invite DanceSyndrome members to Tokyo this November. As an organization committed to developing and promoting inclusive dance in Japan, LAND FES will benefit greatly from this international collaboration project. I believe that DanceSyndrome’s unique program should be shared more and permeated to empower people with disabilities all over the world.”
Julie Nicholson, Managing Director of DanceSyndrome, shared her pride in being chosen for this project, stating, “This project embodies everything that DanceSyndrome stands for. We want to change the way people think about learning disabilities by showcasing our inclusive and co-production methods. Our mission is to demonstrate that people with learning disabilities can be dancers, leaders, and anything else they want to be, as long as they are given the right support and opportunities. We are honored to be invited to Japan and be recognized as an example of what good co-production looks like on an international level.”
John Burrow, a DanceSyndrome Dance Leader, will be among the four individuals traveling to Japan. He expressed his excitement for the trip, saying, “I’m excited to share the Dance By Example workshops that I co-deliver here in the UK with people in Japan. Through DanceSyndrome, I’ve gained a social life, made friends, and have a new outlook on life. I’ve gained confidence and am able to push through moments of self-doubt. I’m looking forward to sharing that with new people in Japan too!”
The DanceSyndrome representatives will be in Japan from November 1st to 10th, 2024. Photos and videos from the trip will be shared on the charity’s social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, under the handle @DanceSyndromeUK.
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