Bringing together people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds through creative dance

Led by Artistic Director Gemma Coldicott, SLiDE currently works in partnership with Fairfield Halls, the premier theatre space in Croydon. Many of its activities take place there. The company is committed to cultural democracy and co-creation. It works with various groups, including people with Parkinson’s, the over 55s and people with learning disabilities.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) awarded the company a three-year Arts Fund grant, commencing November 2021. Gemma says that the process of applying helped SLiDE clarify its plans and future direction. ​“It’s our first multi-year grant. It gave us a real confidence boost.”

The money is being used across the company, including funding a one-day-a-week general manager post, and developing the SLiDE Guide. This is a handbook that articulates the SLiDE approach, which will be used by dance practitioners. 

A significant portion of the grant is committed to a series of related activities that support learning disabled people into leadership roles in SLiDE. The company runs several regular sessions. These include a Wednesday afternoon group for people with learning disabilities, which uses dance to promote health and wellbeing. A Tuesday morning group is training people with learning disabilities to become dance co-facilitators. Both these groups are underpinned by PHF funding.

SLiDE aims to support between three to six people into paid facilitator roles by 2024. ​“The Foundation’s support is making all the difference for that,” says Gemma.

SLiDE is working toward 50% disabled representation on its board. The organisation currently has one learning disabled board member, Matthew Lee, who says: ​“I like helping other people other than myself. Being a SLiDE trustee means I can represent people with a disability and put points across like explaining things that worry me. I like the board meetings and running activities like the warm-up.”

A coach is working with Matthew and the rest of the board to establish inclusive processes. The board will then appoint more disabled members. The aim, Gemma says, is to ​“create learning disabled leaders of the future.”