Jen Blackwell
Founder and Dance Leader, DanceSyndrome
Jen’s passion for dance comes from the heart: “It’s my life, my everything”.
Jen Blackwell (38) is the Founder and Creative Director of DanceSyndrome where all decisions and activities are led and informed by people with learning disabilities working inclusively, inviting everyone in. Multi-award winning charity DanceSyndrome is blazing a trail to better futures.
Jen has Down’s syndrome, she wanted to follow her dream of being a dancer and dance leader.
Since leaving school Jen has been on a mission. At 21 she coined: “I live for dance, it’s my passion and my life. I have the right to a life of my choosing. My future lies in dance. My disability doesn’t define me for who I am.”
Jen is turning perceived norms upside down. She is living proof that leadership can come from unexpected places, that people typically marginalised can be contributors to society in ways most of us haven’t even dreamt of.
Jen’s mum Sue says: “I could never have imagined this journey through life, the numerous lives impacted and enormous benefits not only for Jen but for Malcolm (dad), myself and for society too.”
Jen and the dancers with learning disabilities are finding their voice through dance, their potential is celebrated, they are innovating, breaking the mould, euphoric and effervescent. They are rewriting the script.
People develop confidence, respect, value and self-belief through their philosophy of ‘anything is possible even though you have a learning disability’.
Based in the North West, DanceSyndrome is recognised nationally for its work.
Links:
“Oh wow. I can’t believe I’ve won again for the third year. This is amazing! Thank you Shaw Trust and everyone for believing in me, for valuing me for the person I am. It means the world to me. I owe my life to my fellow dance leaders. I am giving them their lives in dance, and they are giving me mine. I didn’t have a life in dance before, and now I do. My dream is coming true.”