I 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 their own unique way and lit up the theatre but we came together in a new dance where everyone joined in.  All the audience were clapping along too.  I was so proud of my dancing family charity which mum and I and my dad set up together.

I’m also the co-founder of Jubiloso along with Jon Aveyard.  It is a unique music group where people with learning disabilities come together to make music together.  I love playing my flute and I love concerts too.  In July I was honoured that Andy Burton came to my concert.  It meant the world to me and we played Snow-train which is a work that he composed.  I played with Xylosound, Andy’s group for 23 years!

Can you believe it – the Lowry Theatre in Salford actually invited me to be interviewed for their One Lowry exhibition!  Yes, me!! I was so excited to be asked and did it with Sarah Kennedy who has been my friend and advocate for over 20 years!  Sarah is the person who nominated me for my doctorate making me Dr Jen, BEM!  Love it!!

Zach, Helen and Jen

Then the summer really began!  First to Rotterdam which I was very excited about.  My cousin Helen got married to Zach.  It was a beautiful wedding and they made it really special for me too.  I got to sit in the front row at the ceremony and opposite them at the wedding breakfast! Every single one of my cousins were there – I was in cousin heaven!  Coming back was a nightmare with planes and trains being cancelled but luckily my brother Anthony and his family were still around so I travelled back with them because mum and dad were going on to Switzerland with dad’s motorbike!

And then I was off to Cyprus with Donna, my lead support and her daughter Eva.  We didn’t do a lot but I loved it.  Just chillaxed, ate lovely seafood, and had a cheeky beer or two!

Eva, Donna and Jen in Cyprus

For ages I’ve wanted to take my dance to care homes so at last NAPA helped us find a date for Astley View Care Home at the end of August.  I loved dancing with and for the residents and involving them, and seeing everybody experience smiles and fun.  They just can’t help it, and that’s what’s magical.  Spreading my passion for dance far and wide is what I do best.

September arrived and was quite some month!

I was at a networking event at Chorley Football Club with mum and T-J who supports me and I saw Claire Buckle and her dog there too.  We met lots of interesting people.  Then quickly up to Preston to receive a HUGE cheque for my charity from the National Lottery to help us in our work for the next 5 years!

Then to a very big conference in Ghent, Belgium with 10 others from my dancing family.  We did all sorts.  A workshop where 75 joined us, a presentation with the NHS, but most of all we danced in the breaks.  By the time we left we’d spread the smiles further and every person at the conference now knows of DanceSyndrome.  That’s quite some achievement!  Let’s hope that lots come asking us to work with them.

And finally – phew! – we had a full on day at Salford University.  Our charity AGM and Board meeting and Developing Pioneering Partnerships!  I’m a trustee so I go to the board meeting to share my thoughts. With my dance leader friends we danced at the AGM and the event. I did my special solo to Alexandra Burke singing Hallelujah which I love so much.  I’ve been dancing it to my choreography for 15 years now! I loved the vibe and the energy and everyone getting excited about my charity – It really is amazing.  And I love that I am welcomed.

Dance really does give me a voice to be heard.  I wouldn’t be who I am without DanceSyndrome in my life.

I wrote this for NAPA who I am proud to be an ambassador for. They published it in their e-magazine