icandance offers weekly group dance classes for children and young people aged 4 to 25 years with varying needs including complex, profound and multiple disabilities. Nurturing creativity, learning and wellbeing in children and young people with disabilities through dance and movement.We create performance opportunities and weekly sessions are held in schools as well as Saturday dance sessions and a week-long Summer school, family discos, sibling days and the highlight of our dance calendar, our Annual Performance.We offer individual Dance Movement Psychotherapy sessions at schools and in various settings for those with disabilities and their families.
Our method draws on skills from Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Special Educational Techniques and dance. Our method is integrated, child-centred and is delivered in a safe, nurturing relationship. Relationship is key to our approach and we use non-verbal strategies to create relationships which enhance learning, develop creativity and offer a sense of wellbeing for all involved. icandance staff are skilled Dance Movement Psychotherapists, Dance/Performing artists and Special educational needs and disability (SEND) specialists. Our approach is unique and sensitively targeted to meet the needs of the individual as well as the group.
icandance classes are inclusive, child-centred and focus on creating a supportive community for the children as well as the families. icandance provides each child with a specialist support worker who caters to their needs and guarantees that no child is ‘left behind’ and that all are included, working at their pace. This allows them to grow in confidence within a supportive, nurturing environment. Our approach aims to model and encourage social interaction offering opportunities for the children to meet peers within a fun, non-threatening environment. This supports the families in feeling part of an inclusive community. Working towards the Annual Performance encourages and extends each child to reach a goal and be part of a positive group experience. Staff work both on developing each dancer’s movement skills and their emotional readiness for the Annual Performance. For many of our dancers this is their greatest challenge. Being part of the Annual Performance is a huge achievement for each dancer as they are applauded and celebrated. icandance sessions offer families respite whilst their child is engaged in a fun, creative activity. Most of our dancers would not be able to engage in dance anywhere other than at icandance.