Through the Keep Moving programme, Fabric supported the region to continue offering inclusive dance provision to young people in local communities across the Midlands.
The programme helped ensure the arts sector can sustainably deliver inclusive dance opportunities for years to come, while challenging perceptions of disability.
Working with existing and new delivery partners, we delivered a programme of inclusive dance provision across the region throughout 2024 and 2025.
These organisations and groups included: Black Country Dance Hub, LYNNEBEC, Shropshire Inclusive Dance, Linden Dance Company, Dancefest, That!Dance (Burton & Lichfield), Embody Dance, Belgrade Theatre, Moving Space Company, Ascension Dance, and Fabric’s Future Shift.
organisations and groups
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Shropshire Inclusive Dance aims to ensure that young people with a wide spectrum of needs can contribute and benefit equally alongside their peers. It is hoped that our projects will continue to grow the region’s reputation further for great inclusive dance, encouraging more young people from diverse backgrounds, with varying needs, to participate in regular dance sessions
Darwin Dancers meet for a full day on a monthly basis and on bespoke performance projects. This includes:
- Guest artist workshops
- Summer camps
- Theatre trips & socials
- Creation of performance work
Darwin Dancers is aimed at young people aged 16-32. SiD also offer inclsuive classes called Highflyers for those aged 11-18, and have a professional company called Contact Dance Company.
Get in touch with Rachel Liggitt to find out more about the Darwin Dancers programme
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That! Dance runs in both Burton & Lichfield, with two different groups. They deliver fun and friendly weekly dance classes that focus on developing confidence, creativity and performance skills. Each class contains a warm up, dance technique, choreography/creative tasks and a cooldown. They fuse contemporary dance with jazz and dance fitness and take inspiration from theatre in our work.
That! Dance often take part and deliver dance projects and performance opportunities, including creating films, performing at local events and festivals and undertaking skills development such as Arts Award. They also invite guest artists to do workshops and occasionally organise trips to the theatre to watch dance on stage.
Mondays | 5:30pm – 7pm | Burntwood Youth Centre, Lichfield
Tuesdays | 5pm – 6:30pm | Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton
The group is led by fantastic dance artists, Natalie Haslam and Catherine Clissett, and supported by talented support workers. The Lichfield group is also in partnership with Liberty Jamboree and the young adults they support day-to-day.
For more information, and to see what our groups get up to, follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @itsthatdance
Interested in Joining?
If you are interested in you/your child being involved in That! Dance Burton or Lichfield, please contact leaders Natalie & Catherine to find out if there is space to join the group. -
Tiger Feet sessions run in both Nuneaton and Bedworth, with two different groups. Tiger Feet specialise in dance classes for adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They create an inclusive space where adults with additional needs can embrace dance as a fulfilling hobby.
The classes seamlessly blend exercise with enjoyment, providing a unique avenue for fun and fitness. Conducted in a circle, the sessions facilitate group interaction, fostering a supportive environment filled with laughter.
Join us on a journey where every step is a celebration of inclusivity and joy.
Mondays | 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Embody Dance Studio, Weddington Terrace, Nuneaton, CV10 0AG
Tuesdays | 10am – 10:45am | Saunders Hall, Saunders Avenue, Bedworth, CV12 8RJ
Please note: Embody Dance Studio is located upstairs and is not wheelchair accessible. However, the class at Saunders Hall, Bedworth, has full step-free, disabled access.
How to sign up: Email admin@embodydance.co.uk or Contact Us through our website https://www.embodydance.co.uk/class/tiger-feet-adults-send/
For more information, and to see what our groups get up to, head to our website
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Connection Dance is an inclusive community dance group based in the Black Country, run by Black Country Dance Hub.
Originally created as part of Critical Mass 2022, Connection Dance became a legacy group who now meet weekly to be creative and work towards performances. They have performed at Black Country Dance Hub’s annual showcase, as a curtain raiser for Propel Dance and as part of Autin Dance Theatre’s Parade in 2023.
Tuesdays | 6:30pm – 8pm | Coneygre Community Centre, Burntwood, Sedgley Rd East, Tipton DY4 8UH
About Information
Each week the group work in creative contemporary dance led by Dance Artists Ruth Pugh & Julie Wright, exploring different styles, ideas, and situations through dance.Interested in joining?
For further information about the group contact Maggie Lewis.
Email: maggie@blackcountrydance.com
Mobile:07719613487
Find out more about the group on their social platforms
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Masterclasses
As part of Keep Moving, Dancefest launched a series of Masterclasses with artists they admired and were inspired by. These ran from July 2024 – December 2024, on a monthly basis, across Worcestershire, including Malvern & Hereford.
Jigsaw Inclusive Classes
Dancefest offer weekly creative, inclusive dance class for disabled and non-disabled dancers.Worcester: Tuesdays | 5:30-6:30pm | The Angel Centre, Angel Place, Worcester, WR1 3QN
Hereford: Tuesdays | 2pm-3:30pm | The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR
To find out more and book, head to the Dancefest website
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The Belgrade Theatre launched a monthly, in-person, programme of dance activity for young people aged 16+ facing barriers to dance within Coventry & Warwickshire. It is part of a new partnership with Belgrade Theatre, Moving Space Co and Hereward College. Mel Ahern creatively delivers the sessions.
When? August 2024 – Present
The group is made up of 10-15 young people, and is be open to anyone. The Belgrade is working closely with young people connected to core programmes at Belgrade, Open Theatre, and students from Baginton Fields School and Riverbank Academy (city–based SEN Schools).The aim is for the group to become and inclusive performance HUB and sit within the Belgrades core HUB programme (currently 11-14 years 15-18 years and 50+).
If you’re interested in attending one of these sessions, please email Claire Procter, Education & Young People’s Producer at The Belgrade or call on 024 7625 6431 (extension. 302)
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‘Funky Kids’ is part of the Funky Kids Charity, which is a group that serve the needs of families who are affected by deafness or have hearing impairments in the Midlands and surrounding areas.
Black Country Dance Hub (BCDH) is working in partnership with the Funky Kids Charity, to provide regular dance opportunities through the Keep Moving programme, for D/deaf and hard of hearing young people, the siblings of D/deaf young people or those with D/deaf parents.
Wednesdays | 5pm – 6:30pm | The Church on the Corner, 1 King Charles Ave, Walsall
Who? This class is for anyone aged 5+, all the way to over 18s
About Information: The group will work primarily in urban/street dance styles lead by emerging deaf dance artist Kevaughan Laing & mentor Nikki Elsner-Gummery (BCDH), supported by a BSL interpreter. The group are currently creating a new collaborative dance work to be performed at Walsall Arena showcase ‘Reflections’ in November 2024
Interested in joining?
For further information about the group contact Maggie Lewis.
Email: maggie@blackcountrydance.com
Mobile:07719613487
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Ascension Dance is co-directed by Ashley Jordan and Ben Morley. They produce professional work, have a young & community programme as well as regular learning & outreah opportunities.
Through support from the Critical Mass Legacy fund from United by 2022, they have launched JOURNEY, an inclusive dance class for young people with additional needs aged 14-25 years.
Wednesdays | 6:30pm – 8pm | The Albany Theatre, Coventry, CV5 6JQ
Cost information
Spring 2024 – 5 sessions – No cost
Autumn / Winter 2024 – 10 sessions – Pilot fee
Spring 2025 – 10 sessions – Sustainable fee
How to join?
Head to Ascension Dance’s website and fill out a sign up form
Email: ashley@ascensiondance.co.uk
