'Warrior' dance classes expand to help more people
BBCA dance group founded in Nottingham for people with learning disabilities has expanded to north Nottinghamshire.
Dance Warriors, which caters for people aged five and over with a learning disability, has started new dance groups in Retford and Mansfield.
The sessions aim to give children and adults with special educational needs (SEN) the opportunity to learn new skills in an inclusive environment.
It is part of an outreach project by the Nottinghamshire Down's Syndrome Support Group.
About 50 children and young adults with SEN now attend Mansfield Dance Warriors every week.
The group relies on volunteers to help run the sessions.
Dance teacher Lianne Worth, who is also known as Miss Sparkle to the group, said: "I get so much out of it, just because they come in and they learn the routines so quickly.
"It's nice for them to come and have a safe space to enjoy themselves."
The founder of the disability football team Warriors United, Helen Coppins, created Nottingham Dance Warriors to give more people with learning disabilities a platform to showcase their creative talents.
Dance Warriors expanded to Retford and Mansfield due to demand from parents and carers in north Nottinghamshire.
"We really want to see SEN people up there having access to good quality, totally inclusive dance sessions," Ms Coppins said.
The name Warriors was inspired by the children and adults in the football and dance groups.
Ms Coppins said they were "true warriors for overcoming additional challenges that most kids don't have to face".
The Warriors United football team was recently invited to Nottingham Forest Football Club, where they met the players, head coach and owner.
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