A rather unconventional and relatively new approach to sustainability has emerged from Lancashire, where inclusive dance charity Dance Syndrome has shown that meaningful climate action during Environment Week activities can create real transformation—for individuals and entire communities.
The award-winning organisation has had its first-ever Environment Week programme – from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1, 2025. Rather than relying on conventional teaching methods, Dance Syndrome infused the week with expressive, movement-based sessions that made environmental awareness accessible, inclusive, and deeply personal.
About Dance Syndrome
Founded in 2009 by Jen Blackwell, who has Down’s syndrome, Dance Syndrome was born out of her personal struggle to find accessible community dance opportunities for people with learning disabilities. That experience shaped the charity’s core philosophy: every programme is disability-led, with individuals who have learning disabilities taking visible leadership roles.
That same philosophy guided the charity’s approach to climate action during Environment Week. Instead of repurposing existing environmental education frameworks, Dance Syndrome created a unique model where people with learning disabilities were placed at the centre of environmental advocacy.
The charity’s multi-award-winning track record in inclusion empowered them to demonstrate how climate action and social inclusion can operate in unison—especially when delivered through the arts.
Turning Dance into Climate Action
During Environment Week, Dance Syndrome reimagined their regular dance sessions into powerful tools for climate action. Dance Leaders with learning disabilities collaborated with professional Dance Artists to choreograph pieces inspired by environmental themes.
From ocean conservation to plant ecosystems and recycling, these performances allowed participants to embody complex climate issues through movement and sound.
This creative process ensured that the approach to climate action during Environment Week wasn’t externally imposed. Instead, Dance Leaders helped shape how sustainability messages would unfold, ensuring the result was authentic, inclusive, and emotionally resonant.
Extending Climate Action Beyond Environment Week Dance Sessions
The charity also extended its climate action initiatives beyond the dance floor. Participants took part in independent sustainability challenges designed to bring the values of Environment Week into their daily routines.
Some joined local litter-picking groups, while others prepared meat-free meals to better understand the environmental impact of dietary choices. Activities like upcycling household items and switching to plastic-free alternatives helped participants actively reduce waste.
By integrating climate action into everyday life, Dance Syndrome’s Environment Week helped spark wider change across home communities—even reaching family members and neighbours who hadn’t attended the sessions directly.
The Team Behind Environment WeekÂ
Three key Environment Champions powered the success of this programme: Communications Manager Sarah Calderbank, Professional Development Manager Kate Battersby, and Dance Leader Lucy Burgess.
Their combined dedication ensured every activity within the week reflected Dance Syndrome’s values of inclusion, leadership, and creativity.
Lucy Burgess, serving as a Dance Leader and Environment Champion, expressed pride in her role:
“I’m proud to be an Environment Champion at Dance Syndrome. Environment Week was really exciting. I have loved encouraging people to join us and think about helping the planet through dancing. The week was fun and made me feel proud of all the work I have done.”
Her involvement illustrates how climate action during Environment Week can empower people with learning disabilities to lead on sustainability issues, challenging traditional perceptions about environmental leadership.
What Happened During Environment Week
Sarah Calderbank, who led on environmental strategy, summed up the ethos behind the week:
“We wanted to show that small changes can be enjoyable and achievable and that everyone, no matter their ability, can find ways to create a better future for our people and planet.”
Throughout Environment Week, Dance Syndrome delivered accessible yet powerful sessions focused on environmental themes. Dance Leaders and Artists tackled topics like recycling, biodiversity, and ocean protection—not through lectures, but through dynamic movement.
In parallel, staff engaged in workshops with other arts organisations, rethinking how dance could be used as a tool for climate advocacy. This created a two-way learning environment where everyone—from participants to facilitators—grew together.
Monday’s Outdoor Climate Action Experience
Dance Artist and Environment Champion Kate Battersby described Monday’s activities in detail:
“We went to Miller and Avenham Park in Preston to contribute to our community through some litter picking. Then we enjoyed a mostly plastic-free and meat-free picnic and did a dance workshop outdoors surrounded by nature.”
This hands-on mix of environmental care and creative expression encapsulates how climate action during Environment Week can be joyful and impactful.
The outdoor session didn’t just teach sustainability—it allowed participants to dance within the very environment they had just helped clean, forging a tangible connection between stewardship and self-expression.
Wednesday’s Creative Climate Action Programming
Wednesday saw the fusion of poetry and performance. DS Collective dancers partnered with poet Claire Beerjeraz to write environment-themed poems, which were then turned into expressive dance pieces.
The day continued with a film screening by Sima Gonsai Films, featuring a short documentary on climate change. The screening was followed by in-depth discussions on both the filmmaking process and the environmental issues presented.
Kate Battersby reflected:
“It was an interesting and creative way to think about environmental issues, and it was a real success.”
This rich mix of art forms created multiple ways for people to access environmental learning—through words, visuals, and movement alike.
Ongoing Commitment to Climate Action
Dance Syndrome Environment Week is not a standalone event—it’s part of a long-term strategy. As a National Portfolio Organisation under Arts Council England, the charity is embedding sustainability into its ongoing creative and organisational practices.
This ensures climate action continues well beyond Environment Week, forming part of the charity’s year-round mission. Their aim is to reshape public thinking around environmental advocacy, proving it can be inclusive, celebratory, and community-led.
Rather than shifting away from their core values, the integration of environmental themes strengthens Dance Syndrome’s existing work by unlocking new opportunities for storytelling and outreach.
Wider Impact of Environment Week
The inaugural Environment Week programme offers a compelling blueprint for how other organisations might engage in climate action. Dance Syndrome’s model proves that environmental education can be creative, inclusive, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
By positioning people with learning disabilities as leaders in sustainability efforts, the charity challenges limiting assumptions and opens up new spaces for community engagement and leadership.
