It’s been a busy few months!
I really enjoyed meeting and dancing with people who we usually see online when they join DanceSyndrome dance sessions at the Encore weekend in April because they don’t live near Preston. We created dance with each other as one big dancing family. We were all very happy.
Attending the Board meeting in April with other dance leaders and board members Peter and John gave us the chance to share what’s great about DanceSyndrome. We always feel respected.
Donna, Jen, Sam and Racheal Inclusive Business Award
My lead support Donna and I attended the ClubHub awards in Birmingham in May. I gave an award that my family had sponsored for the best inclusive business award. My mum, dad and brother joined from the big screen as they were sailing across the Atlantic. We had fun meeting Synergy Dance. Sam is doing the Dance by Example training my charity runs and he gave a fab speech with Rachael when they won the award.
We had been practicing for our annual showcase called Express 26 since January. Our performance on 11th June at Blackburn Empire Theatre was a dream come true. I’m so proud of all my dancers from Chorley Everybody Dance and the DS collective. We were amazing and everyone danced brilliantly. My favourite dance of all the colours was Lady in Red. It matched my red hair!
I am currently doing different modules in Krav for my first stripe on my blue belt. My music group Jubiloso rehearses every week too. We are rehearsing for some concerts this month which I am looking forward to: 9th July for Disability Pride in Preston Flagmarket and 30th July at Larches. I sometimes rehearse the pieces with my flute monkey mate Jane when I play with her each week. We blow bubbles in her garden which makes us giggle.
Being with my Dad on Father’s day was very special. He picked me up on his motorbike and we spoke through the microphones in the helmet all the way to Slaidburn. We had an amazing picnic by the river with mum too. It was very beautiful. It was sunny all day and I got sunburn. Oops! I’m OK now.
I am looking forward to my mini project with DanceSyndrome over the next few weeks. I’m creating a solo to ‘A new day has come’ by Celine Dion. Some of my friends are doing group dances and others are creating mass participation dances.
Lady in Red performed at DanceSyndrome’s Express 2026 show
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Dr (h.c.) Jen Blackwell BEM is co-founder and Director of DanceSyndrome
DanceSyndrome is a pioneering, multi-award-winning charity that enables people with learning disabilities to lead, develop and contribute as active citizens. It ignites change in communities, pioneers professional development, and delivers transformational programmes that prove what becomes possible when everyone is seen as having something to offer. People with learning disabilities don’t just participate in DanceSyndrome. They lead it.
Some photographs by courtesy of DanceSyndrome
2 Comments on “Express yourself – in Jen’s own words”
Jen, it is so wonderful to hear about your busy few months, and it’s beautifully clear how much joy you bring to everything you do! From creating dance as “one big dancing family” where everyone feels respected, to making your “dream come true” at the Express 26 showcase, your passion shines through so brightly. It sounds like you’ve been putting your whole heart into your music, your blue belt training, and that very special Father’s Day picnic by the river. I am so excited for your upcoming mini-project—I know your solo to “A new day has come” will be absolutely amazing!
Jen says thank you Dennis. Your time to share your thoughts mean a lot. I say thank you too. Sue