It was the Culture For Change event in Birmingham, and one of our tenants danced his way to accolades. Tom performed with his dance partner, Rob, as they reprised their famous routine. They wowed the crowd—mostly made up of industry professionals who specialize in maximizing opportunities for people with learning disabilities and those with lived experience—with their nearly 15-minute routine.

They might have been the star attraction of the event, but it was a packed day at the plush and modern space at Fazeley Studios in Digbeth. Anjali Dance, a group that formed almost 30 years ago in Oxfordshire and recently relocated to the West Midlands, were the driving force behind the event. The Co-Chair of their board, Rachel Clarke, provided the first keynote speech of the day.

She was followed by a case study on Nick, an Anjali dancer, and more speeches from academics and others involved in projects aimed at improving opportunities and breaking down barriers to participation. This was followed by a choice of workshops, with additional sessions later in the afternoon, before a panel of experts discussed not only the past and present but also the future of the journey.