The idea
Sunrae Inclusive Dance believes everyone should have the opportunity to dance. There are 1.2 million wheelchair users alone in the UK. In the government Leisure National Disability Strategy, it states “Disability is one of the main barriers people give for not attending art and cultural events, and disabled people are nearly twice as likely to be physically inactive”.
Sunrae strives to provide specialist dance classes for all wheelchair users and people with various degrees of ability. Dance has been proven to help improve the physical and mental health of those who take part.
Sunrae also provides a space for disabled and chronically ill people to socialise and connect with others who can understand their struggles. It offers 1 to 1 support tailored to each individual. We strongly believe that everyone should be able to find joy through dance no matter their ability and aim to provide the facilities so that our community can participate fully in the Arts and the sport of dance.
What we'll deliver
- Deliver active inclusive and 1 to 1 support
- Provide weekly accessible active dance sessions within the local community
- Create an environment for all abilities to have fun and socialise
- Build confidence and mental well-being through performance opportunities, such as competitions and showcases
- Provide volunteering opportunities for the community
- Allow dancers to develop their skills to compete at all levels of competition nationally and internationally
Why it's a great idea
Proving access to a service like Sunrae Inclusive Dance is essential for the enrichment of those who are some of the most disadvantaged within the community.
Through dance we encourage people to stay active, socialise and express themselves. The world, especially for wheelchair users can be a very isolating place, Sunrae enables users not only to engage but thrive in a social environment. It also allows people of all abilities to experience dance in a new way.
Dance helps to build confidence and break down social barriers and isolation.
Our classes also allow disabled individuals to explore the way their bodies can move in space, often stretching them to limits they didn't know they had. They develop new skills, strength and stamina and this in turn can improve someone's quality of life.
compete at Local, (run by Sunrae Dance), National and International level. Again this helps to boost confidence and gives a sense of amazing achievement.
Steps to get it done
- Attracting new dancers to the sessions
- Performing at an event
- Attending a UK based competition
- Attending an International based competition
- Accessing the Eilte pathway for Paradance UK
- Joining Team GB for competing.
In 2023 and 2024 Sunrae Inclusive Dance facilitated a National competition, where other inclusive dance groups travelled to West Oxfordshire and competed against each other. This also helped to bring the local and wider disabled community together, forming new friendships and support groups.
In 2025 WOWD and Sunrae Dancers have the opportunity to participate in a number of similar competitions including a national competitions in Wales, West Oxfordshire, Manchester and Stevenage and an international competition in Amsterdam.
Members are encouraged to participate in competitions as a way to boost confidence and celebrate new skills and achievements. Dancers have the opportunity to participate in National and International Competitions at all levels representing representing Team GB at times. However it is not a requirement and those who don't wish to compete still enjoy all that Sunrae has to offer.
