We Are Power Podcast
The We Are Power podcast is the podcast for your career and your life. A weekly podcast with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice, and key leadership insight from amazing role models. The podcast not only aids your personal and professional development but also delves deep into conversations around Gender Equality and Social Mobility. Each week the We Are Power Podcast will bring you a new interview from a leader within the 100,000-strong We Are Power community, hosted by Simone Roche MBE.
We Are Power Podcast
The Journey of Dance Syndrome: How Dance Can Unite People from All Walks of Life
In this inspiring episode, Julie Nicholson, Managing Director of Dance Syndrome, and Becky Rich, volunteer dance lead, share the incredible journey of Dance Syndrome — an organisation empowering individuals with and without learning disabilities through the transformative power of dance. They discuss how dance breaks barriers, fosters confidence, and builds a supportive community. Julie also reveals their innovative co-leadership model, celebrated at the Northern Power Women Awards, while Becky reflects on her personal journey from participant to spokesperson.
From unforgettable moments with Sue Perkins and a prestigious event at Buckingham Palace to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and carrying the Queen's baton, Julie and Becky highlight the essence of Dance Syndrome: inclusivity, teamwork, and family. Tune in to hear their advice for aspiring changemakers and learn about their vision for the future, including plans to expand Dance Syndrome's reach by 2030.
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to the We Are Power Podcast
00:46 Introducing Our Guests: Julie Nicholson and Becky Rich
01:16 The Impact of Dance Syndrome
02:22 Inclusive Innovation and Awards
03:53 Becky Rich's Personal Journey
06:37 Global Recognition and Future Plans
10:51 Travel Adventures and Memorable Moments
17:02 Advice for Aspiring Community Builders
21:08 Vision 2030: Expanding Dance Syndrome's Reach
22:45 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Click here to find out more: https://dancesyndrome.co.uk/
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Hello, hello and welcome to the we Are Power podcast. If this is your first time here, the we Are Power podcast is the podcast for you, your career and your life. We release an episode every single Monday with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide, where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice and key leadership insight from amazing role models. As we Are Power is the umbrella brand to Northern Power Women Awards, which celebrates hundreds of female role models and advocates every year. This is where you can hear stories from all of our awards alumni and stay up to date with everything. Mpw Awards and we Are Power.
Speaker 1:Today we are joined by Julie Nicholson, who is the Managing, never imitated, never replicated, singularly wonderful, everybody's wonder girl. Today we are joined by Julie Nicholson, who is the Managing Director of the wonderful, award-winning, multi-award winning actually Dance Syndrome and the fantastic Becky Rich what a name. It's like a movie star name, isn't it? Who's the volunteer dance lead and spokesperson and ambassador for Dance Syndrome. Welcome to the studio, thank you. Spokesperson and ambassador for Dance Syndrome. Welcome to the studio. You're my thank you. Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1:It's great to have you on our cosy couches together. So let's start by Julie. Tell us all about Dance Syndrome.
Speaker 2:Dance Syndrome transforms lives, creates joy and opportunity for people with and without learning disabilities, their families and wider society um, and we get the world dancing you absolutely do get the world dancing.
Speaker 1:I think we had our I remember having our celebration event earlier this year over in manchester and there was a whole to get the corporate world dancing was. It was a sight to be sort of seen, isn't it? And I think it's the impact that it has, isn't it? Tell us about some of that impact that you've seen that dance syndrome has, julie.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I mean we really do transform lives. We see an increase in confidence in self-belief, in communication. Lots and lots of our participants really really make true friendships by being part of the dance syndrome family and joining in with our sessions. And there's a wider impact with families who have become a whole kind of network together and a community and then even beyond that, partnerships where we're able to kind of spread our expertise around inclusion and make the world a more inclusive place.
Speaker 1:And we talked about the awards earlier this year, where you're the commended winner for the inclusive innovation category. What did it mean to be in that room? Because I do believe you won the prize for the happiest, most joyful, most celebratory table and probably the table the last to leave, if I'm honest.
Speaker 2:That's Dan's syndrome for you. Oh, it was such an incredible evening. We had such a fantastic time and to hear our names being announced as the commended award winner was just really wonderful and it really for us it was about representing individuals with learning disabilities and their voices to be heard and to kind of be in a room of such incredible people and be able to kind of spread the message of who we are and what we do was just such a fantastic thing for Down Syndrome.
Speaker 1:And it might not be obvious to think well, how is that inclusive innovation and one of the things we're trying to sort of showcase out that innovation is not just coding and drones and lab coats. It's more than that. It's just human innovation, isn't it? What does that look like to you, that inclusive innovation?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so everything that we do is co-led. So we work with a dance artist without a disability and a trained dance leader with a learning disability, and together the two individuals work in partnership, and inclusion threads through all of our work. It's part of our strategy, it's one of our values as an organisation and we truly believe that by being inclusive we can be a better society 100%.
Speaker 1:Becky Rich. Superstar ambassador spokesperson. You are so inspiring and I think inspiring is one of those words that can honestly be overused at times, but not when it comes to you. You've you've had many challenges and in finding work, and now you are leading dance sessions, you're volunteering, creating new opportunities for dance syndrome. How has this shaped you personally, becky?
Speaker 3:For me when I joined Danceum. The way how it did with my confidence and my determination, and because I did things in such a way to let people know it's their time to shine, and because of the way how personally it did for me was I feel better for myself and I just love going out and promoting our dance name. And the way that's done for me was of the confidence, determination and also to speak up for everything that I say in my work, because it is because it really shows me how it's done for me absolutely everything.
Speaker 1:It's amazing and you can see that and I see that determination. When we arrived at the studio today, you were already here waiting for us, determined to get in here and determined to get into the studio, and that's that is. We've talked about impact so much already in this part, haven't we and you've talked about? You talk about empowerment a lot, julie. Throughout the whole. It's like a stick of rock, isn't it? Throughout the whole of Dance Syndrome. What have you learned on your sort of adventure with Dance Syndrome about sort of leadership and inclusivity?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so we really want to give the individuals with learning disabilities a voice and we really focus on the individual and that's kind of at the heart of who we are and what we do, and we want to provide opportunities individuals to to shine and to thrive, um, and that threads through everything that we do. So inclusion is really about empowering individuals to be, um, the best that they can be as themselves, and we really take pride in investing that time and support with each individual, um, so, yeah, it is.
Speaker 1:It is and you can see it. You can see it. And going back to the awards this year and coming up, I think I well, I know I came by your table quite near the end of the night and there's photos galore and cheers galore and smiles galore and obviously you've just had great success over in New York recently winning more awards. Was it four Stevie Awards out?
Speaker 2:there, there wasn't it. Four silver stevie awards on the back of two gold stevie awards in october in istanbul. So being recognized at an international level now is incredible for our organization my goodness, that is phenomenal, isn't it?
Speaker 1:it's like which way next.
Speaker 2:Well, this is all part of jen's dream, and jen's dream is all part of Jen's dream, and Jen's dream is all about world domination and I feel that over the last year we're really making waves, in that I've just come back from a trip to Japan, been there for two weeks and one of our other dance leaders, david Corey's representing us in Bilbao, in Spain today, in fact, and Jen was in New York collecting the awards. So within a week, been in three different countries around the world how long have you been with dance syndrome?
Speaker 1:and Gem was in New.
Speaker 2:York collecting the awards.
Speaker 1:So within a week, been in three different countries around the world. How long have you been with Dancing Dome?
Speaker 2:Three years. Did you ever think that this where you would be now?
Speaker 1:No, not at all. No, it's no wonder, now that you know Becky, you're a huge part of Dancing Dome. No wonder we need a spokesperson, an ambassador, which is that's the role that's been created for you because of your determination, the confidence you show. What inspired you to take on this role and what do you enjoy most about it?
Speaker 3:What I like to have for everyone is that, as Dance Xerum, we want to let people around the world to know about Dance Xerum and what we do, because we have absolutely amazing work that we all do as a charity, and to let everyone know in other parts of the world and the rest of the world to know about us, because we all are amazing and it's our time to shine and there's so many of us to have that shine as well, because it's vitally important because of the way how I'm very impressed by my others, my fellow leaders, because they take on, like Tokyo, japan, new York and I've been about David Cronin, but for me, I really love countries abroad to see how they can know about dance.
Speaker 3:It's been on the YouTube channel, we've got the website, everything. We can actually now put this out because it's been put out already all over the world now. But I like those to understand, to believe in yourself that you can do anything and to show that you belong in society and we all love everyone and to accept yourselves, because we understand fully about it that we don't like to leave someone out, because we don't do that, because we have that way about us that can help them to join and with us as a whole again. But I just want the whole world to know about dance at Xerum and to see if they can in any way to collaborate, if they feel free to, and and for them I would say yes, because dance serum, that is to now, because we have gone global and international right now, because of the Stevie Gown Awards, what Jim was saying before and because of that, now we can take on the whole world for everyone to know about us.
Speaker 1:Yes, Becky versus the whole world. I mean, I can see that on a T-shirt before we even start here. Have you travelled? Have you been to many places with Dance Syndrome?
Speaker 3:Because at the moment, if a boy meets a dance artist I have to go because I'll do the dance teaching, I'll do that and that. And if it was for me, I've been to other countries even before dance. Even before that I've been on holidays every year until when lockdown happened that in Benham we cannot, and I just always love to go out there and see what there is and to be a part of the wonderful adventure that we are on and with countries I know because I did put the word out at one time. That is a few years ago now but with countries as of now, that means that I now know that with my dancing family, because it is that it's more for the dance artists to go out.
Speaker 2:Becky, do you want to talk about travelling to Edinburgh? And also, you've been to London for Dance Syndrome a few times.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and we did do the Edinburgh Fringe oh, amazing, and we did it for about three years now. We did it for about three years now and it's because of the Ending the Fringe meant to show how talented we all are and to celebrate that on a bigger platform. Because with the Ending the Fringe meant that I got interviewed at one time with the former manager because I got interviewed in Edinburgh for the treatment of the Fringe. But that's a few years ago, but we had a massive success on the Edinburgh Fringe platform.
Speaker 1:So yeah, we did. And what about London? Who did you see in London?
Speaker 3:In London. I had been back a few times. One of them was to do it with another award like that, but we weren't then known. But we had met one particular fantastic and wonderful lady. It was Sue Perkins, and we met her because at that time it was to do with the small awards, the small business awards, awards, the small business awards, and it meant it was not directly to us. No, we were there performing with a another dance group in London and we really did put a great big show on for everyone that we did.
Speaker 2:Do you want to talk about Buckingham Palace and Downing Street? Oh my goodness.
Speaker 1:Becky, you've been everywhere. I hope you've got tea and biscuits is all I'm saying.
Speaker 3:Yeah, when I got invited to Buckingham Palace, it was to do with our late Queen, and I will mention about her because I will and I miss her, I really do. But going back to that time in 2019, I had the chance to go with my dad and it was to do with the. At that time it was actually a secret, but I can now say now, because of this year, now it was because of the award, it was the voluntary services for the. What was it?
Speaker 2:It was the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services. Was it the?
Speaker 3:MBE groups. That was the one and it's because of the we already did. It meant for me going, because originally it was Jen that went, because she did, but the reason why I did is because we don't want that award to be withdrawn. No, so I knew then to go off and do that, so wait a minute.
Speaker 1:So you had a secret with the Queen. Is what he's saying? No, not really.
Speaker 3:It was just in that time. It was back then in 2019. And now it meant to look back at that. I had shown for me my afternoon tea with them. Uh, uh, uh, uh. That's what I did. Uh, uh, uh, uh. And it's because that I'm really really patriotic, very uh, and because we all are, but me in particular, because I really am, uh, and to hear our national anthem being played, I was absolutely really happy and I had tears of being so proud to be a patriotic, and that moment for us was absolutely outstanding.
Speaker 1:It's a moment you'll never forget, isn't it? It's amazing? And the Queen I missed her too. Yes, I had that time. Amazing role model. It was really moment you'll never forget, isn't it? It's amazing? And the Queen I missed her too. Yes, I did that time. Amazing role model.
Speaker 3:It was really funny because she happened to be in one of the rooms in Buckingham Palace, so she was watching down on all of us to see how we all were getting on, and I really did thoroughly enjoy that. But to be with them family to family and to them the royal family, I've always had this great love for the royalty.
Speaker 1:So you took the dance family to the royal family. I love that, and the Queen was snooping on you by the sound of it. But, julie, you know you've talked about the inspiration, the impact. You've created a place to shine. You know there's people that are watching or listening today that want to create a community of impact, but just don't know where to start. Is there any advice you would give to someone out there? You know I want to do that. I'm really passionate about this. I want to go global with my community or I want to start small. What top tip would you pass on?
Speaker 2:Just go for it. Just believe in yourself and believe in your idea and just go for it. And the amount of people that will help you on the way is incredible, and we are so fortunate that we've had so many supporters. We wouldn't be here where we are today without all of those people, and if anybody is thinking about starting up something, please come and talk to us. You know we're happy to really happy to share our story and our experience. We've not always got it right and you know, sometimes we do face challenges, but we work together as a team and we work through everything. And we are here today because everybody is 100% committed to who we are and what we do.
Speaker 1:And you can sense that. You can sense the pride. Dad Simon's here as well. You can't see him over there, but he's, you know, is that family pride and that family movement isn't it that has this and it takes an army, doesn't it? This doesn't just happen by luck, and so many great achievements have happened, you know we truly are a dancing family and that includes everybody you know.
Speaker 2:Parents and carers would say they're part of the family. The team you know, supporters, partners, you know.
Speaker 1:Now, northern power women awards are part of honoring northern power women family becky, you've had so many great achievements and you are a true ambassador and spokesperson. You know you've had so many great achievements and you are a true ambassador and spokesperson. You know you've had the queen spy on you. You've been to number 10. You've been to edinburgh the fringe. You've done, you've been, you've led dancing sessions, you've been a queen's baton relay bearer. But what is the thing that you are most proud of so far?
Speaker 3:because it is so far this yeah, and for me, no, it's just of everything really, because to let everyone know about these opportunities, I have to show to others now that these are new exciting opportunities and there's a whole world out there waiting for you, because to have someone like myself will benefit from dance meaning that's exciting opportunities and it's about believing in yourself, because the things that at times, when you have to understand, because we all love you, that you belong in society I speak for inclusion and many other things as well because it shows to them what it could mean because of these opportunities are memorable.
Speaker 3:To remember that for a long, long time, because these are the opportunities that I'm also speaking up for equality and gender equality and everything, because as a whole, it just means that when someone understands it, that would mean that someone like me would understand to say that we all love you and we understand for you, because we understand about the acceptance and to be accepted into society. But it's about understanding that we all are here for you and yeah, really yes, and we just go out there, go for it, and you should too and enjoy every moment, right? Enjoy?
Speaker 1:every bit. Absolutely yes, Julie, and we just go out there, go for it, and you should too and enjoy every moment right. Absolutely yes, Julie. Amongst world domination, global domination, what's next? What can we look out for?
Speaker 2:So Dance Syndrome has a really exciting and ambitious strategy called Vision 2030, and part of that strategy is developing our Children and Young People's Office. So we've predominantly always worked with adults, but we want to expand our provision now and work and have dance sessions available for all ages, from early years through to adulthood, and have those progression pathways for people to move up to the next step, and that ensures that more people are dancing.
Speaker 1:And one last question If you had a magic wand, what would you do to create that inclusive, shining magic world? What would you?
Speaker 2:do. What would you do, becky, if you had a magic wand For me?
Speaker 3:I would say the whole world. What would you do? What would you do, becky? For me I would say the whole world, dancing because my best friend, my Jen, I love her, I really do, and what she has done for all of us. I just want the world to understand about inclusion, the dignity, the pride and respect and, because of that, meaning for the world as well, just to get along and respectful.
Speaker 1:And the thing that I want to tell those is you're't alone at home wow, amazing, julie, becky, superstars, magicians, inspiring and you brought Shine into our studio today. Thank you so much for joining us. Please keep connected with everything the Dancing Dome family, because that's what you are, and the extended family watching out there today. Please get involved, please get in touch. Thank you so much, becky and Julie, for doing this today and I look forward to seeing you next time.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much, thank you.
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