Who would have thought it was possible for someone like Jen, with a profound intellectual disability, would have been honoured with an Honorary Doctorate for her services to dance?

It’s been an incredible few months since we heard, absorbed the enormity of this honour from Salford University, and then attended Jen’s graduation ceremony in July 2024. The whole experience has been joyful and heart warming. The attention to Jen’s needs to enable her to stand on stage at The Lowry and give her heartfelt acceptance speech, causing a standing ovation that was filled with love and possibility, shows us once again what’s possible for anyone no matter their perceived ability.

University of Salford Graduation 2024 programme

As Jen said in her speech, “When you have the right support at the right time, it can take you further and further and further”.

Our journey to today has not been an easy one:

• 42 years ago the bottom fell out of my world because of learning disability.
• 21 years ago addressing her first conference Jen stated ‘my future lies in dance’, but how do you achieve this when no one wants you?
• 18 years ago Jen was desperate, we were desperate, trying hard but busy going nowhere.
• 15 years ago DanceSyndrome was born and constituted.
• Today Malcolm and I are the proudest parents of 2 children, both achieving in their own unique ways. Our lives are immeasurably enriched because of learning disability.

Jen was presented her Honorary Degree by Interim Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Penny and introduced by Professor Margaret Rowe University of Salford Dean, who said:

“I’m delighted to introduce our honorary graduate today, Jennifer, Susan Blackwell, B, E, M. It is a profound honor and privilege to introduce an extraordinary individual whose education and achievements have made a significant impact on many lives.

I’m very proud to present Jen to you. At 42, Jen stands a testament to preservance and the power of pursuing one’s passions. Born with Down’s syndrome, Jen has navigated her life with remarkable determination, challenging and surpassing societal expectations at every turn.

After leaving mainstream school at 18, Jen found herself in a world that did not fully appreciate her talents and dreams. At 21 she declared, I have the right to the life of my choosing. Dance is my life and my passion. My future lies in dance. This declaration became the driving force for Jen’s mission. Despite a decade of challenges, Jen resolved to remain steadfast and in 2009 with the support of her family, DanceSyndrome was established.

What began with 14 dancers has since grown into a transformational movement showcasing the incredible potential of people with and without learning difficulties, collaborating through dance. DanceSyndrome’s impact has been profound.

They have tailored dance workshops across the north west. Commissioned by voluntary organizations, local authorities, health trusts, universities and educational establishments, each workshop is co-facilitated by dance artists with learning difficulties and a non disabled professional, sending a powerful message of inclusion and capability.

Feedback constantly highlights the inspiration drawn from experience a person with learning difficulties leading the workshop, flipping traditional power dynamics and demonstrating that they too can achieve great things with the right support.

Her work is about more than dance. It is about creating inclusive spaces and fostering understanding.

Jen’s leadership and vision have earned her numerous accolades. In 2023 she was recognized as a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce RSA, and was honored with the British Empire Medal, BEM, for her service to disabled people in the King’s birthday honors. Her numerous awards include Inspirational Woman of the Year, Points of Light, and her repeated recognition in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, underscore her significant impact.

Under Jen’s guidance, DanceSyndrome has performed on stages from the Lowry to Edinburgh Fringe appeared on television and inspired audiences across the country.

They regularly engage our own students at the University of Salford delivering dance workshops and participating in consultations, embodying the university’s values of respect, Integrity, high standards, kindness and continuous improvement.

Jens motto, Dream, Believe, Achieve, reflects her journey and commitment to empowering herself and others through dance.

Her story is one of inclusion and rentless pursuit of one’s passions. She never stops opening people’s eyes to the potential of people with learning difficulties, tirelessly, quietly and joyfully demonstrating what is possible and the opportunity and support.

Beyond her professional achievement, Jens enjoys playing the flute, practicing karate, skiing and cherishing her independence. Her life exemplars the importance of living authentically and fully.

Today, as we honor Jen Blackwell with the honourary degree, we celebrate her achievements and the powerful message she embodies – with determination and support, great things are possible. ”

Jen’s section (15 minutes) of the graduation ceremony is here:

The day itself was wonderful, with family and supporters coming together to support and celebrate with Jen this incredible accolade she’s been given by The University of Salford. We’re still sifting through the photographs and sharing memories. I’m sure we will continue to do that for many years to come!

The media were extremely interested in Jen’s Honorary Doctorate with BBC North West visiting DanceSyndrome to interview Jen and some of her dancing family for a wonderful piece with Molly Brewer that was shown on BBC North West Today. Watch the article here https://vimeo.com/995763879/01e9c856bf

Jen also did her first radio interview, supported by friend and supporter Sarah Kennedy, who was the person who put Jen forward for the Honorary Degree in the first place. A snippet of the interview with Hayley Kay at BBC Radio Lancashire studio is here https://youtu.be/4XoUiM_tuc0

There really is so much to celebrate right now and we’re honoured that Jen’s achievements and the impact she and DanceSyndrome are continuing to make are helping young graduates and the wider communities see what’s possible, with the right support.

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If you’d like to know about The Art of the Possible, which is our phrase that has kept us going even when doors closed and we had no idea what the next step was, please register for updates on the book I’m writing…. I need to keep reminding myself that it is possible to write a book that inspires and offers hope to others! 😉