ICANDANCE

ICANDANCE (Charity number 1137695) is a UK-based registered nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering disabled children and young people through dance and creative arts. Established in 2006 and registered as a charity in 2010, ICANDANCE provides a pioneering interdisciplinary approach that integrates dance movement psychotherapy, dance, and education techniques to foster inclusion, therapeutic support, and artistic expression for children and young people aged 4 to 25 with disabilities[1][3][4][5].

History and Mission

ICANDANCE was founded by Juliet Diener, who envisioned dance as a means to enrich lives, connect communities, and celebrate differences. The organisation was created in response to the need for a creative and therapeutic community that addresses the needs of disabled children, young people, and their families. The charity’s practice is deeply informed by the lived experience of its founder and its community members, placing disabled participants at the centre of its work and challenging societal perceptions of disability through dance[3][5].

Activities and Services

ICANDANCE offers a wide range of programmes and activities tailored to support disabled children and young people both therapeutically and artistically. Key offerings include:

• Affordable weekly dance classes and events led by expert dance therapists, artists, special needs support staff, and volunteers. These sessions typically maintain a high staff-to-participant ratio, often 1:1 or 2:1, to provide personalised support and build trusted relationships with each dancer and their family[1][5].

• Therapeutic and creative group sessions designed for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools and colleges, which can be commissioned and customised according to the institution’s needs[1].

• Annual performance opportunities for participants to experience celebration and recognition of their achievements.

• Social and family-oriented events such as discos and gatherings to strengthen community bonds[1].

• Individual dance movement psychotherapy sessions and parent therapy groups, addressing emotional and psychological wellbeing alongside physical expression[1].

• Training programmes for other organisations and dance companies aimed at sharing the ICANDANCE ethos and promoting inclusive dance practices[1].

• A Young Ambassadors group that empowers participants to contribute to and advocate for the community’s continued growth and visibility[1].

Approach and Impact

ICANDANCE’s approach is firmly rooted in dance movement psychotherapy, ensuring a focus on how dancers feel as well as what they do. The organisation works weekly with approximately 120 children and young people, providing direct support not only to dancers but also to their families and professional carers within the wider community. This holistic model supports the development of creative skills, emotional wellbeing, and social inclusion[3][5].

The charity’s inclusive and therapeutic programmes foster creative expression and skill development, offering disabled young people the opportunity to explore their experience of the world in a nurturing and safe environment. ICANDANCE continues to challenge and transform societal attitudes towards disability through its vibrant artistic community[1][3][4][5].

[1] https://cpotential.org.uk/resources/icandance-empowering-children-and-young-people-through-dance-and-performance/ [2] https://icandance.org.uk [3] https://icandance.org.uk/about/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/5008385 [5] https://youngharrowfoundation.org/organisations/icandance