Eyes Wide Open to Inclusivity

BLINK Dance Theatre has announced funding from Wandsworth Council and Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund to host weekly sensory drama, dance and music sessions in its new London home.

Hosted at its Nine Elms Studio, people labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their carers can experience connection in a safe, warm and friendly space at new weekly sensory drama and dance sessions.

The community-led sessions have been especially developed for those who have little access to culture or face barriers to accessing arts experiences, to relieve social isolation and loneliness and to increase health and wellbeing.

The activities during the sessions are grounded in research and created together with families, carers and learning-disabled artists and include sensory dance and movement with breathwork, creative touch, and a soundbath alongside live music. 

The project also sees the upskilling of five or more learning-disabled artists to take on supportive and leadership roles, including participation in a new Community Advisory Group. The group's insights into the interests, needs and local culture will support BLINK’s future programme.

“It's a bit of a dream come true having our own space to offer our local community these special sessions, and I think also that it was vitally important to include those labelled with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and the most barriers into our space first - as these are often the people that are left until last,” said Vicki Hawkins, co-director at BLINK.

“We want everyone to feel at home at BLINK. We are also looking to expand our Advisory Group and would love to hear from people who’d be keen to learn more about our work.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with the project can contact BLINK’s Access and Inclusion Manager, Siobhan Wedgeworth, by emailing siobhan@blinkdancetheatre.org, and by WhatsApp on 07774 730 367.

For more information about BLINK Dance Theatre visit blinkdancetheatre.org 

Pictured: BLINK team outside the Nine Elms Studio.