Acting differently unlocks potential
Inclusion is complex and touches every part of our lives.
This is Sue's mindmap from her own family experience when you put inclusion at the heart of everything
What does inclusion mean to you,
your family, your school, business or organisation?
Have you ever felt left out?
Have you looked on helplessly whilst others are excluded?
How do we embrace and value every person?
When we embed inclusion in all our lives, you matter, I matter, he/she matters - equally.
An inclusive world is a happier world
Jen is a dancer. Yet so often in her life she has been labelled as her disability.
We have been defined as a disabled family and all the challenges and assumptions that go with that.
We believe it's possible to embrace every person for who they are no matter the label or perception, by society.
Together, we can break down barriers and ensure inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), have become the buzz words every organization wants to be able to sign up to, but how many are truly inclusive?
When we unlock potential people thrive. None of us know what’s possible when we truly show people they matter, embrace them whatever their label or perceived ability. We’ve learnt that when we give people the right opportunities and the right support they are enabled to live purposeful, joyous and fulfilling lives. We believe this is possible for everyone.
When Inclusion is the starting point, everyone belongs. Equity exists when every person contributes what they can, taking what they need to be their best self and to nourish their soul. Diversity is a given when your leaders have learning disabilities.
We know it’s possible to build inclusion at the heart of families and organisations. We’ve done it and the results are immense for all of us, our extended families and the communities that are witnessing people with learning disabilities as role models for what’s possible.
We yearn for a society where inclusion doesn’t need to be spoken about because every person is already included. The model already exists within DanceSyndrome and it is joyous and impacts and ripples in so many ways, with no barriers to what’s possible for each person who engages.
Articles and thoughts around inclusion and our experience of inclusive practice
Jen’s summer months – in her own words
Art of the Possible, Carers, in her words, Inclusion, Jen, Learning Disability, Living life, family life, inclusion matters, living life with learning disabilityI hope you had a lovely summer. I did. I’m loving my life, just being me. I’m having a blast! The July community showcase of my charity DanceSyndrome was just amazing. All my dancers were together in one space. Everyone shone in ...
Sharing and impacting in Europe
Art of the Possible, Inclusion, Jen, Learning Disability, Opportunity, Thinking Differently, EAMHID, empower, inclusion, inclusion in action, learning disability, the power of danceWe’ve just returned back to the UK buoyed up by a fabulous experience at #EAMHID25 in Ghent where Jen and the DanceSyndrome dancers made a significant contribution. Not only did they have an opportunity to deliver a solicited symposium...
Inclusion Awareness Week – Now is the time
Art of the Possible, Inclusion, Opportunity, Thinking Differently, inclusion, inclusion matters, thinking differentlyInclusion rocks! Inclusion is key to happiness. Most of us have experienced exclusion at some time in our lives. Just imagine if that was the norm, if you were routinely left out. How would you feel? What would you have to live for? Why ...
A ‘service user’ summer
Art of the Possible, Carers, Inclusion, Learning Disability, Living life, Thinking Differently, carers, holiday, learning disability, thinking differentlyHow was it for you? Your summer holiday that is. Hopefully you’re restored, refreshed, relaxed, reinvigorated. It’s important isn’t it. That break we all value so much, plan ahead of time, secure the dates in the work calenda...
Dear Parent
Art of the Possible, Inclusion, Learning Disability, Living life, Thinking Differently, Do you see me, intellectual disability, learning disability, parentingIf you don’t have a child with learning disabilities, please read on to understand more. This is our reality. If like me you do have an offspring with learning disabilities you’ll experience life very differently to the rest of soc...
Do you see me and my vulnerabilities
Art of the Possible, Inclusion, Learning Disability, Living life, Thinking DifferentlyI’m always mindful when writing as a carer of 43 years that I’ve had it relatively easy. Jen has been blessed with good health, so our challenges have mostly been intellectually, socially and emotionally focused. The lot of a carer...
Inclusion in Practice
Art of the Possible, Inclusion, Learning Disability, Living life, Thinking Differently, education, inclusion, SEND“Inclusive education is a national priority—and a shared responsibility.” says Tom Rees, Chair of the DfE’s Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion. We agree! We’ve submitted the following to the enquiry, and have offered our support to ...
This Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2025
Conversation, Inclusion, Learning Disability, Thinking Differently, art of the possible, down's syndrome, inclusion, learning disability, opportunity, social justice, working togetherSpot the dancers a mile off! A meeting of hearts and minds through dance, sparkles, smiles, two honorary Doctors of Arts from the University of Salford in 2024 communicate through their shared passion. From the moment we arrived at the p...
Support must be fit for purpose – begin by listening
Inclusion, Learning Disability, Living life, Thinking Differently, down's syndrome, learning disability, listening, person centred planning, supportIn all parts of our lives we find systems which are meant to be helpful. Support to navigate a certain aspect or point in time. Everyone accepts that ‘the system’ is broken. But until we listen intelligently to individuals, people with...
Accelerate Action – it’s possible if we choose to act differently
Art of the Possible, Conversation, Inclusion, Thinking DifferentlyThe theme Accelerate Action coming from International Women’s Day 2025 is a powerful one. But only if we then take action on what we believe needs to change. I’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks capturing some conversations with some ama...