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giraffe dance | Professional Inclusive Dance Company

@giraffe_dance_uk

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giraffe dance is an inclusive, professional, and caring group of freelance dance artists based in the West Midlands, UK.

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Inclusive dance gets thrown around a lot… but what does it actually mean?

For us, it’s not about squeezing people into a system that already exists.
It’s about creating spaces where everyone can show up as they are 💫✨️

Just movement & creativity. It's all about people being met where they’re at 💛🦒

#InclusiveDance #DanceEducation #EveryBodyMoves #giraffedance by @giraffe_dance_uk

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6 months ago

A student came to school on Careers Day wearing a Neurodiverse Universe t-shirt and told us:

"I want to be an autistic dancer when I'm older ... just like you."

And just like that, there were tears 😌

This is why representation matters. When young people see disabled and neurodivergent artists leading, creating, and thriving, they begin to see those possibilities for themselves 👐🏼💫

Proud to be different. Proud to be visible. Proud to show the next generation that being a disabled artist is not only possible, it's powerful 💪🏼

✨ You never know who is watching and thinking, "That could be me."

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

#RepresentationMatters #DisabledArtists #Neurodiversity #InclusiveDance #giraffedance by @giraffe_dance_uk

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4 months ago

Alison was proud to contribute to the Dance in Education Strategy Group, brought together by the Dance Leaders Group as part of the DLG and Critical Mass What Next programme.

The group brought together professionals from across the dance sector to develop an ambitious approach for advocating for dance in education and strengthening its place in schools.

It is an important step in ensuring that creativity, movement and dance continue to be recognised as vital parts of children’s learning and development.

You can find out more about this project and other advocacy work on the Dance Leaders Group website.

Video credit: Dance Leaders Group / @danceleadersgroup by @giraffe_dance_uk

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7 months ago

A little giraffe reminder 🦒💛

If you’re poorly, resting IS productive.

It can be so easy to feel guilty for cancelling plans, missing a class or taking a few days away, but your body is asking you to slow down for a reason.

Pushing through when you’re unwell doesn’t make you more dedicated. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stop, rest and give your body the time it needs to recover 🌿

Dance will still be there when you’re feeling better. Your health comes first 👐🏼

So wrap up warm, put your feet up and please don’t feel guilty for being poorly 💛

#giraffedance #RestIsProductive #ListenToYourBody by @giraffe_dance_uk

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8 days ago

Sometimes the biggest moments are the ones that might look the smallest 💛

Dancing together, connecting with each other and sharing a moment that might feel difficult in the classroom.

This is why we dance 🦒✨ by @giraffe_dance_uk

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16 days ago

🙌 Hands in the air! 🙌

Reaching up high, stretching tall and filling the room with movement! 🦒✨

Sometimes the simplest moves bring the biggest smiles 💛

#giraffedance #InclusiveDance #DanceForEveryone by @giraffe_dance_uk

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23 days ago

Meeting postponed due to… BIRD 🐦😭

Alison won in the end. Bird evicted. Planning resumed 😂🦒

Milly was very understanding of the Disney princess moment 😂 by @giraffe_dance_uk

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23 days ago

✨ WE’RE FINALISTS! ✨

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Giraffe Dance has been named a finalist in the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion category at the @mbccawards_ 🦒🧡

At giraffe dance, inclusion isn’t an add on. It’s at the heart of everything we do. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, creativity and connection that dance can bring 👐🏼

To be recognised for breaking down barriers, widening participation and championing equality and inclusion means so much to us. We’re incredibly proud of our dancers, families, schools, partners and everyone who helps make our giraffe community what it is 😌

Whatever happens next, we’re celebrating this one! 🥳💃

#giraffedance #MBCCAwards #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusiveDance by @giraffe_dance_uk

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24 days ago

September can bring big feelings 💛

New beginnings can be exciting, but change can be hard.

Whatever this week looks like for you and your family…

We see you. You are not alone. 🦒

Enjoy these photos of young Milly & Alison 😂

#GiraffeDance #WeSeeYou #InclusiveDance by @giraffe_dance_uk

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a month ago

As another school year comes to an end, we just want to say thank you 💛

Thank you to every pupil, teacher, school and family who has been part of Move In Your Own Way. It has been a year full of movement, creativity, confidence and connection, and we are so grateful to have shared it with you ✨️

This summer, Alison will be spending time with her family and recharging, while Milly will be keeping busy with a little work, decorating her new home and raising her puppy 🐾

Most importantly, we want to remind everyone that it is okay to take a break. Rest is just as important as being productive, and taking time for yourself helps you come back feeling refreshed 🧘🏼‍♀️

Have a wonderful summer and we will see you next term! ☀️💛

#giraffedance #MoveInYourOwnWay #InclusiveDance #Summer by @giraffe_dance_uk

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3 months ago

Things they teach you in training…

✔️ How to choreograph
✔️ How to adapt on the spot
✔️ How to lead a room full of creative chaos
✔️ How to count to 8 for the rest of your life

Things they forget to prepare you for:

✖️ Escaping a school car park when you’ve been blocked in 🚗
✖️ Remaining calm behind a bin lorry when you’re already late 🫠
✖️ Emotionally recovering from being behind 5 learner drivers in a row (yes… FIVE)
✖️ Eating lunch in 5 minutes and calling it a “break” 🥪
✖️ The Olympic sport that is getting from one workshop to the next

Freelance dance life:
Less ✨fame and spotlights✨
more sat nav, snacks and survival skills 😂🦒💛

#freelancelife #communitydance by @giraffe_dance_uk

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3 months ago

End of term itus has arrived 🦒💛

Teachers, staff and children… we see you 👀

The final few weeks can bring tired brains, big feelings and lots of change.

Remember the 3 R’s:
⭐ Routine
⭐ Reduce demands
⭐ Rest

You’re so close. Be kind to yourselves 💛
(Teachers… cake helps 🍰😉)

#giraffedance #InclusiveDance #NeuroSparkly A Giraffe Dance carousel post explaining “end of term itus” for teachers and children. The slides describe how the end of the school term can bring tired brains, big feelings, changes in routine and extra emotions. It highlights the importance of supporting children, especially neurodivergent learners, through routine, reduced demands and rest. The post ends with a reminder to slow down, be kind and celebrate getting through the final stretch of term. 🦒💛 by @giraffe_dance_uk

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3 months ago