Most recent awards for Jen Blackwell, Sue Blackwell.
For DanceSyndrome awards please see:
Jen, Sue and Malcolm and DanceSyndrome all finalists at the Inclusion Leader Awards November 2026
Sue Blackwell awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the Best Business Women Awards October 2025
Sue Blackwell awarded Gold Stevie Award for Thought Leadership (non-profit) in International Business Awards August 2024
(opens in a new tab)Jen Blackwell awarded Honorary Doctorate by University of Salford, July 2024
(opens in a new tab)Jen Blackwell awarded British Empire Medal in King's Birthday Honours List June 2023
(opens in a new tab)Sue and Jen Blackwell won Charity Champion Gold Award at Best Business Woman Awards September 2022
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Disability Power 100 2020, 2019 & Judge 2021 - Jen Blackwell
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Jen and Sue Blackwell have been featured in many publications and interviewed on TV and Radio:
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
(opens in a new tab)Jen and Sue discuss creating DanceSyndrome and their experiences showcasing the performances of this dance company… facing and overcoming the bureaucracy and systems that saw Jen as a learning disability instead of as a person… the importance of true inclusion rather than tokenistic inclusion to enable everyone to be a leader in their own life… Jen’s love of dance throughout her life… being honored at Buckingham Palace…. Jen being appointed Lead Ambassador for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by the High Sheriff of Manchester for her year of tenure in 2018.… encouraging all women and girls to speak out and speak up… and the importance of creating opportunities for all!
(opens in a new tab)Sue said ' Jen wanted to follow her dream of being a dancer and dance leader. After leaving school, Jen found herself in the frustrating position of not being able to fulfil her ambition because there was no suitable dance training for a person with a learning disability.
After 10 years of unsuccessfully searching for training that was appropriate and inclusive, it became clear that many others were in the same situation. Something needed to change so we took matters into our own hands."
ARTICLES & MEDIA COVERAGE
(opens in a new tab)POSTNOTED - April 2026
Leverage: HUMILITY
Sue writes a letter to her daughter Dr (h.c.) Jen Blackwell
Sue says, "You have taught me so much, but most of
all, you have taught me to never be judgmental, to always be open to the art of the possible, the importance of gifting time when you need it, and to be humble in the face of invisible giants, of which you
are one. Life will continue to present unfathomable challenges to which we will find solutions together, but always being open to listening and learning, I walk alongside you with humility.
To get a print copy of Postnoted: Buy here
To get a digital copy of Postnoted: Buy here
(opens in a new tab)POSTNOTED - January 2026
Strategic Signal: When will the system wake up? INCLUSION is the key
In Sue's article in second edition of POSTNOTED themed "Strategic Signal" Sue challenges us to wake up to the truth about inclusion with the question, "Is it OK to live in separate worlds?"
Sue says, "When we unlock potential, people thrive. None of us know what is possible until we show people they matter and embrace them, whatever their label or perceived ability. We have learned that when people are given the right opportunities and support, they can live purposeful, joyful and fulfilling lives. We believe this is possible for everyone."
To get a print copy of Postnoted: Buy here
To get a digital copy of Postnoted: Buy here
(opens in a new tab)POSTNOTED - September 2025
Hope, not burnout for carers
In Sue's article in this inaugural publication themed "Burnout is not a strategy" Sue shares their lived experience offering hope to those who are often overlooked in society.
Sue says, "To exist and function when nothing is working and you have no support, you need to take steps." She offers some helpful steps useful to anyone facing a problem.
To get a print copy of Postnoted: Buy here
To get a digital copy of Postnoted: Buy here
(opens in a new tab)DOWN'S SYNDROME ASSOCIATION JOURNAL - Spring/Summer 2025
Dance to me is a driving force.
DanceSyndrome: Learning what's possible with the right support, Together
"We had no idea what was possible for Jen’s life. All we knew was that as a unique individual she had the right to follow her dreams and we, her parents, would support her in any way we could to enable her to live a fulfilling life."
Full article available in the DSA Journal 150, Spring/Summer 2025.
(opens in a new tab)LEARNING DISABILITY TODAY - December 2024
It's not rocket science it's love: supporting people with learning disabilities to achieve their goals and ambitions
Parenting is a challenge for everyone. Regardless of how well you prepare, you cannot know how you will respond until it happens. Then throw in learning disability. Compound that with negativity, stereotypes, professionals who apparently know what’s best for you and your family, the system of bureaucracy, numerous laws of the land such as the Care Act 2014, assessments and reviews, and who have the power to determine all of our futures.
This article shares the Blackwells personal story of supporting Jen to follow her dreams. "With the right support at the right time we can go further and further", says Jen.
Download Sue's original essay It's not rocket science it's love
Full article at Learning Disability Today
(opens in a new tab)SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL WOMEN 2024, Sue Blackwell
Turning the World Upside Down
Why shouldn’t ..people with learning disabilities have access to support and encouragement to lead a life of their choosing and do what brings them joy in their lives?
"I am a mum on a mission! I am indignant because the medics saw fit to write my first-born child off at birth. With no warning, after a textbook pregnancy, we were labelled a disabled family 5 hours after Jen was born. We were told she wouldn’t amount to much and it would be best to put her in a home and forget about her.
Book available here: https://amzn.to/3TnIRCj
Download full chapter by clicking button below:
(opens in a new tab)PEOPLE DANCING, 2023
If it needs doing... Reflections on a decade of DanceSyndrome
In February 2023, the organisation will celebrate 10 years as a charity. Here, Sue and Jen Blackwell, the mother and daughter duo who formed the charity, reflect on their journey and the barriers that they faced along the way
Full article at People Dancing
(opens in a new tab)DISABILITY HORIZONS, 2020
Using Dance to help people reach their potential
"I believe that I am living proof that leadership can come from unexpected places. People who are marginalised through disability, or indeed any other cause, can become contributors to society in ways most of us can’t even imagine" says Jen Blackwell
"The best thing of all, I hadn’t discovered friendship before DanceSyndrome, but now I have friends in my life – people who truly value me for who I am – a dancer, a musician, a friend. It’s the most amazing experience ever."
Article here: Disability Horizons
(opens in a new tab)CARE TALK, Opinion, Real Lives , 2020
DanceSyndrome; enabling diversity and leadership to flourish
Jen’s success story is inseparable from DanceSyndrome. At 18, Jen, like so many others got lost in the system... At 28 she escaped!
"DanceSyndrome demonstrates how a fundamental ethos of equality and inclusion enables diversity and leadership to flourish. In this environment everyone is a winner. Everyone benefits through contributing what they can, taking what they need, learning from and supporting each other; growing together. This is my idea of ‘community’. A place where every person matters, every life is enhanced, where health and wellbeing spreads as if by magic."
Full article available on the CareTalk website
(opens in a new tab)CITIZEN NETWORK, 2016
Born to Dance
Sue Blackwell shares the story of her daughter Jen's journey as she sought to follow her dreams and live a life of her own choosing.
"The world can be a very confusing place if you have a learning disability. It can be difficult for any of us to hear, understand, appreciate, remember the numerous things that bombard us all day long, but all the more so if you have a learning disability, need time to process information and are not able to be naturally assertive. Things that are perfectly doable take longer and demand more effort, things like getting up in the morning and ready for the day can be a huge challenge, but are a significant coup when accomplished well."
Full article at Citizen Network
Other interviews:
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(opens in a new tab)Other Articles
World Changers at Work Changing the world - because disability should never be a barrier to following your dreams
Down's syndrome Association A Year of Success for Dr Jen Blackwell December 2024
SEN Magazine Any body can dance September 2024
Dance Inspiration Live Magazine January 2024
Contributor to Rights in Practice for People with a Learning Disability, Stories of Citizenship Edited by Liz Tilly and Jan Walmsley
For all media or speaking enquiries please contact Tracey Jane (known as T-J) as Sue is often at sea!
T-J: media@blackwells.biz / 07762 000426