A world where a learning disability is no barrier to personal and artistic success in dance
Magpie Dance is the UK’s leading dance charity for people with learning disabilities.
Led by a dedicated team of dance professionals, we have been running workshops and dance classes for children and adults with a range of learning disabilities and aged eight + since 1985.
We run eight individual dance programmes comprising 350 classes per year for around 400 participants.
Through dance, our participants gain life, social and communication skills with added health and wellbeing benefits.
We also deliver professional training for education, dance, health and business clients, and we work with the NHS to provide in-patient work for people with dementia and learning disabilities.
Magpie Dance holds regular weekly sessions in term-time during the Spring, Summer and Autumn. Each term is 10 sessions in total and typically follows the format: 5 sessions – half term – 5 sessions.
Performances are a vital part of Magpie’s work, providing dancers with the opportunity to perform on a professional stage in front of an audience. Our aim is to inspire and challenge audiences whilst developing our creative repertoire.
Collaborating with cross-disciplinary artists, Magpie dancers have performed at renowned venues including the South Bank Centre, Lilian Baylis and The Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), The Place, Trafalgar Square, Hextable Dance, Laban, The Albany and the Churchill Theatre – to name just a few!
Magpie offers inclusive training opportunities (as part of professional development) in the following areas:
