Dance and Disability

Cheshire Dance has an established and growing specialism in developing dance opportunities with and for people with learning disabilities.

Our approach values difference and the unique experience of each individual. We place dance at the top of the agenda, and provide inclusive, enabling environments to create, learn and experience dance.

Dance and disability sessions at Cheshire Dance are designed to be fun, encourage healthy bodies and minds, and offer high quality creative experiences for all.

Our partners in the delivery of this work include Vivo Care Choices and Cheshire Downs Syndrome

At Cheshire Dance we engage specialist practitioners and deliver professional development and training opportunities for artists and people working with dance in alternative settings – such  as support workers in care homes and day centres.

Cheshire Dance believes that everyone should be able to be creative throughout their lives and have the right to take part in excellent creative activities.

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Dance and people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD)

Cheshire Dance is a specialist in dance for people with PIMD. People with PIMD are participants in many of our regular dance and disability groups and as an organisation, we facilitate a practice sharing network for dancers across the UK who work with people with PIMD. At Cheshire Dance we proactively respond to feedback from people with PIMD and those who support them, and are currently developing a programme of one-to-one dance sessions for people with PIMD called ‘Wanna Dance?’

Dance Artists believe everyone can dance and be creative and they look at their work with PIMD through an artistic lens. Experienced dance artists offer opportunities for people with PIMD to be part of a creative dance experience – if they want. Dance artists can co-create dance with people with PIMD in the moment or/and for sharing with others. Dance artists enjoy noticing, developing, framing and celebrating the dances of people with PIMD – no matter how small they may seem.

At Cheshire Dance we champion dance artists, their learning and the development of their practice and approach to dance with people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD). As a result, our artists are inspired by working with people with PIMD and are passionate about working with each unique person in the way which is best for them.

For more information on our work with PIMD or to discover more about ‘Wanna Dance’, please contact: Jane.McLean@cheshiredance.org.

Wanna Dance – A Summary of Findings can be downloaded here.

Disability Dance Sessions

Cheshire Dance Currently runs regular disability dance sessions in partnership with Vivo Care Choices at: Canal Street Day Centre, (Chester), The Coronation Centre (Ellesmere Port) and Firdale Day Centre (Northwich). These sessions are for centre users only.

Cheshire Dance delivers sessions on behalf of Downs Syndrome Cheshire in Winsford, Chester and Crewe.  Find DS Dance sessions currently running in our What’s On for People with Disabilities.  Find our more about DS Dance here and our partner Downs Syndrome Cheshire.

For information regarding our Dance and Disability work, please get in touch hello@cheshiredance.org.

For more information, see what else we’re doing connected with Dance and Disability