Digitally Signed Document Document ID: 6494F27E52AB7B 


## Document Details: 

|**Filename:**|Final Accounts 2023-S0654.pdf|
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|**Client of:**|Carter Collins & Myer Ltd|



## Signature Details 

|**Name:**|Rachael Hurton|
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|**Email:**|Admin@synergydanceoutreach.co.uk|
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|**Date & Time:**|25/02/2024 19:27:29 PM (GMT)|
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|**IP Address:**|154.47.98.93|
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|**Signing Statement:**|Synergy Dance Outreach confirms that the<br>information is correct and complete to the best of<br>their knowledge and belief.|



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The approved PDF file has been digitally certified. Please check the Digital Certificate information in your PDF viewer to verify the Digital Certificate authenticity and the PDF has not been tampered with. 

|**On behalf of:**|Carter Collins & Myer Ltd|
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19 January 2024 

Ref: S0654 

Private & Confidential Synergy Dance Outreach 2 Forster Road Guildford GU2 9AF 

Dear Synergy Dance Outreach 

**Synergy Dance Outreach - Financial Statements – Year Ended 30 April 2023** 

Please find attached the following documents relating to the above mentioned accounting period: 

▪ 1 Letter of Representation ▪ 1 set of accounts 

Your Corporation Tax liability is nil. 

Yours sincerely 

Carter Collins & Myer Limited 



Synergy Dance Outreach 2 Forster Road Guildford GU2 9AF 

## **PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL** 

## **Carter Collins and Myer Limited** 

Chichester House 2 Chichester Street Rochdale OL16 2AX 

Date : Thursday, 18 January 2024 Ref : S0654 

Dear Sirs 

## **– RE: Synergy Dance Outreach, Letter of Representation Year Ended 30/04/2023** 

The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your engagement. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations.  All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief. 

## **General** 

1. We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and that you do not express an audit opinion. 

2. We confirm that the charitable company qualifies as small in accordance with the conditions set out in chapter 1 of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. 

3. We confirm that the charitable company was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 30[th] April 2023 audited. We also confirm that the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the financial year in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

4. We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees as set out in the terms of your engagement letter, under the Companies Act 2006 for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you. 

5. All the transactions undertaken by the charitable company have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records. 



6. All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your engagement. We have provided you with access to all appropriate persons within the charitable company, and with all other records and related information requested, including minutes of all management and trustee meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission. 

7. The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions. 

## **Assets and liabilities** 

8. The charitable company has suitable title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the charitable company’s assets, except for those that are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. 

9. All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as appropriate. 

10. We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and where relevant the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements. 

## **Accounting estimates** 

11. All assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value, are reasonable. 

## **Loans and arrangements** 

12. The charitable company has not granted any advances or credits to, or made guarantees on behalf of, directors other than those disclosed in the financial statements. 

## **Legal claims** 

13. We have disclosed to you all claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received and such matters, as appropriate, have been properly accounted for, and disclosed in, the financial statements. 

## **Laws and regulations** 

14. We have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements. 

## **Related parties** 



15. Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with legislative and accounting standards requirements. 

## **Subsequent events** 

16. All events subsequent to the date of the financial statements which require adjustment or disclosure have been properly accounted for and disclosed. 

## **Going concern** 

17. We believe that the charitable company’s financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charitable company’s needs.  We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.   We believe that no further disclosures relating to the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern need to be made in the financial statements. 

## **Grants and donations** 

18. All grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or conditions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such income. 

## **Restricted grants and donations are as follows:** 

AFA 23 £9,995 B.chester £500 CFS Send £4,392 CFS ANNAF £250 CIN YR4 £500 CR23 £4,825 PH Foundation £10,000 SE YR2 £11,023 TF/WP £3,350 

Yours faithfully 

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees 18.01.2024 



Charity registration number: 1180506 

## **Synergy Dance Outreach** 

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements 

30 April 2023 

Carter Collins & Myer Chichester House 2 Chichester Street Rochdale Lancashire OL10 2BG 



## **Synergy Dance Outreach** 

## **Charity registration number: 1180506** 

## **Trustees' Annual Report** 

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2023 The report and financial statements also meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. 

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) 

## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements** 

The charity trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. 

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

state wether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements 

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in business 

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate records that are sufficient to show and explain the companys transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

## **Disclosure of information to independent examiners** 

Each person who was a  trustee at the time this report was approved confirms that: so far as he is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiner he has taken all the steps he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charitys independent examiner is aware of that information. 



## **Independent Examiners' Report to the members of Synergy Dance Outreach** 

I report on the unaudited accounts of Synergy Dance Outreach for the year ended 30 April 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cashflow Statement and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 

## **Respective responsibilities of trustee and examiner** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

I am qualified to undertake the examination, being a qualified member of the Association of International Accountants 

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; 

- to follow the procedure laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity 

- Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention 

## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement Report** 

No matters have come to my attention in the 2022 Financial Statements, which gives me 

- (1) reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: 

- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirement of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities 

Have not been met; or 

- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Carter Collins and Myer Accountants DATE 



## **Synergy Dance Outreach** 

**Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 April 2023** 

|||**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**|**Total**||**Total**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**2023**|**2023**||**2022**||
||Note|**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||
|**Incoming resources**||||||||
|Donations and legacies|3|13,357|||13,357||368|
|Income from charitable activities|4|32,616|44,792||77,408||64,123|
|Other income|||43||43||0|
|**Total incoming resources**||45,973|44,835||90,808||64,492|
|**Resources expended**||||||||
|Raising Funds|6|1,716|39||1,755||11,477|
|Charitable Activities|7|45,051|36,241||81,292||92,571|
|Other|8|333|||333||334|
|**Total resources expended**||47,100|36,280||83,380||104,382|
|**Net movement in funds**||(1,127)|8,555||7,428||(39,890)|
|Transfers between funds|15|(3,553)|3,553|||||
|Total funds brought forward|15|(25,005)|5,690||(19,315)||20,575|
|Total funds carried forward|15|(29,685)|17,798||(11,887)||(19,315)|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. 

13 



## **Synergy Dance Outreach** 

**Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2023** 

|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2023**||**2022**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||
|**Fixed Assets**||||||||
|Tangible assets||0|0||0||0|
|||0|0||0||0|
|**Current Assets**||||||||
|Debtors|11|903|0||903||15,136|
|Cash at bank and in hand||‐8657|17797||9,140||5,910|
|||(7,754)|17,797||10,043||21,046|
|**Creditors**|12|||||||
|**Amounts falling due in one year**||(5,194)|0||(5,194)||(12,826)|
|**Net Current Assets**||(12,949)|17,797||4,848||8,220|
|**Amounts falling due**||||||||
|**after more than one year**||(16,735)|0||(16,735)||(27,535)|
|**Net Assets**||(29,684)|17,797||(11,887)||(19,315)|
|**Funds of the Charity**||||||||
|Unrestricted funds|13|(29,684)|||(29,684)||(25,005)|
|Restricted funds|13||17,797||17,797||5,690|
|**Total Funds**||(29,684)|17,797||(11,887)||(19,315)|



The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for 

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the 

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

- ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 

- • of the Companies Act 2006 and 

- preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies and with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015). 

Approved by the Board and signed on their behalf by: 

Nicola Whittaker Trustee Approved by the board on XXXX 

14 



## **Synergy Dance Outreach** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **Accounting policies** 

## **Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) ‐ Charities SORP (FRS 102)), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevent accounting policy note(s). 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestriced funds of the charity which the trustees have deciced at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be soley used for particular areas of the Charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity. 

## **Incoming resources** 

Incoming is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

## **Resources expended** 

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis when a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is included as part of the expenditure to which it relates. 

## **Operating leases** 

Rentals payable under operating leases, where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership remains with the lessor, are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they fall due. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Individual items costing less than £500 are not capitalised. 

Tangible fixed assets are depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: 

Computer equipment 25% 

## **Stock** 

Stock, which relates to items bought for resale in the Charity’s café, is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 



## **Pensions** 

The charity operates a stakeholder pension scheme for its staff. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. Details of the charity’s contribution are given in Note 9 to these accounts. 

|Donations<br>Income<br>**Incoming from Charitable Activities**<br>Grants<br>Other Charitable Activities<br>Interest Income<br>Advertising and Marketing<br>Administration<br>Consulting<br>Depreciation Expense<br>Direct Expenses<br>Equipment and Props<br>General Expenses<br>Instructor Fee<br>Insurance<br>Postage, Freight and Courier<br>Printing and Stationery<br>Project Management<br>Rent<br>Subscriptions<br>Telephone and Internet<br>Wages<br>**Donations and Legacies**<br>**Investment Income**<br>**Expenditure on raising funds**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>0<br>13,357<br>13,357<br>368|
|---|---|
||0<br>13,357<br>13,357<br>368|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>0<br>43,802<br>43,802<br>33,023<br>32,616<br>990<br>33,606<br>31,100|
||32,616<br>44,792<br>77,408<br>64,123|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>0<br>43<br>43<br>0|
||0<br>43<br>43<br>0|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,716<br>39<br>1,755<br>11,477|
||1,716<br>39<br>1,755<br>11,477|
||**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>4,516<br>550<br>5,066<br>5,404<br>6,379<br>2,583<br>8,961<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>76<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>1,638<br>8,179<br>9,817<br>17,204<br>1,402<br>60<br>1,462<br>2,012<br>16,491<br>1,663<br>18,154<br>20,861<br>306<br>2,195<br>2,501<br>299<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>50<br>4<br>0<br>4<br>26<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>23,951<br>1,572<br>976<br>2,548<br>4,511<br>2,144<br>1,353<br>3,498<br>3,518<br>0<br>324<br>324<br>323<br>8,325<br>18,359<br>26,684<br>13,686|
||42,777<br>36,241<br>79,019<br>91,919|





|Accountancy fees<br>Bank fees<br>**Net Incoming / (outgoing resources**<br>This is stated after charging:<br>Depreciation of owned fixed assets<br>Independent examiners fee<br>Other accountancy fees<br>**Other expenditure**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>2,273<br>0<br>2,273<br>652<br>333<br>0<br>333<br>334|
|---|---|
||2,606<br>0<br>2,606<br>986|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>76<br>0<br>0<br>2,273.4<br>0.0<br>2,273<br>651.8|
||2,273<br>0<br>2,273<br>727|



## **Trustees renumeration and expenses** 

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 per annum. 

|**Tangible Fixed Assets**<br>COST<br>At 1 May 2022<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 30 April 2023<br>DEPRECIATION<br>At 1 May 2022<br>Charges<br>Disposals<br>At 30 April 2023<br>NBV<br>At 30 April 2022<br>At 30 April 2023|**Equipment**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0|
|---|---|
||0<br>0|
||0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0|
||0<br>0|
||0<br>0|
||0<br>0|





|Trade Debtors<br>Prepayments<br>Trade Creditors<br>Accruals<br>Payroll Cost Creditor<br>Deferred Income<br>Private Loan<br>Bank Loan<br>**Debtors**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>645<br>0<br>645<br>14,882<br>258<br>0<br>258<br>254|
|---|---|
||903<br>0<br>903<br>15,136|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>2,420<br>0<br>2,420<br>6,975<br>960<br>0<br>960<br>900<br>1,815<br>0<br>1,815<br>4,951<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0|
||5,194<br>0<br>5,194<br>12,826|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>11,035<br>0<br>11,035<br>20,035<br>5,700<br>0<br>5,700<br>7,500|
||16,735<br>0<br>16,735<br>27,535|



## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within S505 of the income & Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (ICTA 1998) or S256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity 

|**Fund**|**At**|**Incoming**|**Outgoing**|**Transfers**||**At**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Movement**|**01.05.2022**|**resources**|**resources**|||**30.04.2023**|
|**Restricted Funds**|||||||
|CFS Intergen|1,372||(1,910)||538|0|
|CFSJ|4,318||(4,318)|||0|
|AFA 23||9,995|(384)|||9,611|
|B'chester||500|(795)||295|0|
|CFS Send||4,392|(5,287)||895|0|
|CFS ANNAF||250|(302)||52|0|
|CIN YR4||500|(663)||163|0|
|CR23||4,825|(318)|||4,507|
|EMD UK||||||0|
|PH Foundation||10,000|(7,896)|||2,104|
|SE YR2||11,023|(11,605)||582|0|
|Sussex||0|(217)||217|0|
|TF/WP||3,350|(1,775)|||1,575|





|TIF3<br>True Colours<br>**Unrestricted Funds**<br>General Funds<br>Designated Funds<br>**Total Funds**|0<br>(554)<br>554<br>0<br>0<br>(257)<br>257<br>0<br>0|
|---|---|
||**5,690**<br>**44,835**<br>**(36,281)**<br>**3,553**<br>**17,797**<br>(25,005)<br>45,973<br>(47,099)<br>(3,553)<br>(29,684)<br>0|
||**(25,005)**<br>**45,973**<br>**(47,099)**<br>**(3,553)**<br>**(29,684)**|
||**(19,315)**<br>**90,808**<br>**(83,380)**<br>**0**<br>**(11,887)**|






**Synergy Dance® Outreach** – Trustees report and annual financial statements for the year 1st May 2022 to 30th April 2023 

**Registered Charity No: 1180506** Address: Queen Elizabeth Park,  2 Forster Road, Guildford, Surrey Tel: 01483 954135 

Email: admin@synergydanceoutreach.co.uk 





**Synergy Dance Outreach: CIC Registered number: 1180506** 

## **Trustees' Report for the period to 30th April 2023** 

Trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 30th April 2023. 

The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), effective from accounting periods commencing 1 January 2015 or later. This year’s charity accounts are prepared by Carter Collins & Myer Ltd. 



**Trustees' Report for the period to 30th April 2023** 

## **Trustees** 

Nicola Whittaker Mary Ungoed-Thomas Rachelle Franklin 

## **Registered Office** 

2 Forster Road, Guildford Surrey GU2 

## **Steering group** 

Judy Thompson and Geoff Blake. 

A chance for those directly affected by SEND – either personally, or via their children, to influence our services, be part of the design and to help us to connect with local communities. 

## **Independent Examiners and accountants** 

Carter Collins & Myer Ltd Chichester House 2 Chichester St Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 2AX 

Catheryn Day: Accountant Robert Newman Chichester House (Independent Examiner) 

## **Bankers** 

## **Santander** 

Bridle Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L30 4FB 

## **Abbreviations in this report:** 


**Brand Ambassador:** Will Perry – Paralympic swimmer. 


**CYP:** Children Young People **SEND:** Special Educational Needs & Disabilities **LTHC:** Long Tern Health Conditions **SEN:** Special Educational Needs **ASD:** Autistic Spectrum Disorder **MLD:** Mild Learning Disability **ODD:** Oppositional defiant disorder 




## **The Charity** 

## **DIVERSITY. INCLUSION. BELONGING** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach was set up to improve the mental, physical health & wellbeing of children & young people (CYP), adults and seniors, marginalised by Special Educational Needs & disabilities (SEND) and long term/life-limiting health conditions (LT & LLHCs) by delivering inclusive, accessible, dance, yoga, singing & fitness activities that remove the usual barriers preventing participation. 

We address the fact that **disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as nondisabled people** , so ensure fun, accessible opportunities, both in-person & online, that encourage regular activity to improve long-term physical, emotional, mental health and wellbeing. We ensure neither finance, fitness, ability/disability nor family circumstance are barriers to access. Participants tell us that our classes improve their mood and build confidence and resilience, better enabling them to meet the challenges of their conditions. 

Our beneficiaries include people with Special Educational Needs (SEND), those who are visually impaired, the deaf community and hard of hearing, seniors, those with long term health conditions (LTHC) and other disadvantaged people, children and teenagers. 

As a charity, we enable service users to get active, have fun, reduce stress and combat loneliness. Our classes help maintain fitness, core strength, flexibility and motor skills, improve posture and also help relieve stress, boost the immune system and aid restful sleep and importantly build confidence. 

## **Time for change** 

## **Our goal is to help you reach yours..** 

Inclusive dance, yoga, Pilates, fitness & wellness activities for children, teenagers, adults & seniors. We are fighting for inclusive opportunities and activities for all ages. 

## **We provide activities for:** 

- The disability community Those with special educational needs (SEN) Seniors - healthy ageing and low impact programs Those with long term health conditions (LTHCs) Health referrals 

- Visually impaired/Blind Deaf community & hard of hearing School children, teens & young people 




## **Partners** 

We partner with leisure chains, charities, care homes, outreach centres, councils, trusts and schools to deliver activities. For community projects, we provide classes free for families with disabled children as their income is estimated to be around 23.5% below the UK average. We are passionate about providing children with opportunities & have engaged with many families from low socioeconomic groups. Our core values are inclusion, innovation, value for money, quality of delivery and excellent service. 

|Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND)<br>Seated dance, Pilates, fitness and yoga|Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND)<br>Seated dance, Pilates, fitness and yoga|Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND)<br>Seated dance, Pilates, fitness and yoga|Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND)<br>Seated dance, Pilates, fitness and yoga|||||Rehab and Return to Fitness<br>programme - for health referrals|Rehab and Return to Fitness<br>programme - for health referrals|Rehab and Return to Fitness<br>programme - for health referrals|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|(ParaStars Yoga® & ParaStars Dance™)|||||||||Courses for seniors in care||
||||||||||homes and residential settings||
|Visually impaired and blind including<br>The deaf community - including<br>subtitled workouts<br>Courses for those with long<br>term health conditions||||**Synergy Dance**<br>**Outreach**|||||Participants low on confidence or<br>who don't like team sports<br>Inclusive courses for primary<br>and secondary schools||
|audio workouts|||||||||||
|Healthy ageing and wellbeing - low impact<br>and progressive dance programmes||||||||Low impact programmes for yoga,<br>dance and wellbeing|||



## **Synergy Active Online™ - inclusive activities for all** 

- - **See:** https://synergy dance online.teachable.com/courses 

We supply live classes onsite & have digital pre-recorded dance, yoga, Pilates, fitness & meditation courses for all ages. We also provide school clubs, themed SEND workshops, holiday programs, seated courses and SEND programs for schools, leisure centres, charities, trusts and care homes. 

**See:** https://vimeo.com/776286671/39a50570f2 

In the last 3 years we have won 12 Awards and are unique in providing an on demand inclusive platform of activities for children, teens, adults and seniors. 

Our professionally recorded activities target conditions including physical disabilities (congenital & acquired), wheelchair participants, mental health issues & neurological conditions. 

CYP with disabilities are more likely to be obese and risk rises with age: Activity Alliance, 2018. The impact of our work has really inspired our team and partners – see stories at the end of this report. 



















Benefits include stress relief, improved mental health, reduced anxiety, improved fitness/posture, flexibility, motor skills, core-strength, agility, balance, spatial awareness, help relieve and manage chronic pain and improve stamina. We build confidence, provide new networks and friendships. 

We are unique in providing activities that overcome all the barriers to exercise and meet recommendations to combat inactivity and poor mental health. 

Eg: Sport England 2020: only 23% of disabled people were able to complete 30-minutes of activity 5 x a week due to accessibility issues. We stand out because we serve diverse groups of CYP. 

**See:** https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/834415547/2a51060ef0 **Promo Video:** https://vimeo.com/792618301/31edd6d22 







## **SUMMARY** 

A multi-award-winning charity, we offer a one stop package of dance, yoga & fitness activities for On Demand and Onsite activities. Our hybrid style of delivery offers choice and flexibility to those who need it most. 

We provide activities for participants with Disabilities, Visual Impairments, Special Educational Needs & Long Term Health Conditions, the Deaf Community and hard of hearing, wheelchair participants, mental health conditions & for those with additional needs. 

We provide opportunities to target wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, fitness and to support mental health. Building confidence is vital to us and we are here to get everyone moving, whatever their circumstances. 

_SEN includes those with learning difficulties & autism, ADHD, ASD, global development delay, MLD, ODD, downs syndrome, dyspraxia and hearing loss. LTHC includes spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, cancer, multiple disabilities, asthma, long-covid and amputation._ 



## **Structure, governance and management** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach – Charity registration number 1180506 

The charity number, principal addresses and details of professional advisers are set out in the administrative information at the front of the report and accounts. 

Synergy Dance® Outreach is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a Board of 3 Trustees. The charity was founded in May 2017 to meet local need and create positive change, by removing barriers to enable people experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing through accessible, inclusive and innovative dance, fitness, yoga, singing and related activities. Beneficiaries include those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), older people, and other disadvantaged children and young people. Inclusivity is of the utmost importance to us and we aim to ensure neither finance, fitness, ability, disability nor family circumstance are barriers to participation. 

The Governing document, and Constitution document is a CIO Foundation Constitution. 

The powers available to the Trustees are set out in the Governing document and Constitution – which clearly state the objectives of the charity and rules about Trustees. The Board is at the present time, 3 trustees, with teaching, special needs and editorial backgrounds. Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees remains a collective decision via the Management committee of Trustees. 

The Charity is managed by a Board of Trustees which delegates day to day operations to the admin and management team. The Board of Trustees reserves to itself powers of appointment of the CEO, Project Managers, admin staff and managers as a group collective. It also retains responsibility for financial control and reporting, and the Trustees' report and financial statements. 






**Governance** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach is governed by a dedicated passionate board of 3 trustees with a broad skills spectrum and includes Trustees who have children with SEND and family members with disabilities who have been involved since its inception. The board have guided the organisation from a small community non-profit group that started to meet local need, to become a CIO registered with the charity commission, that has built great relationships with many local organisations including Surrey Council, Surrey Choices, Active Surrey, Community foundation for Surrey, Sight for Surrey, Surrey Special Schools Sports Association to now be partnering with national organisations such as EMD UK and British Blind Sport. 

The charity is led by founder and CEO Rachael Hurton and supported by a team with a broad skills range and a high level of determination and dedication. The charity’s skilled team are all highly passionate and dedicated to the charity’s purpose to make a difference and enrich lives through inclusive activity. 

The CEO has a Masters’ Degree from Kings College/RADA in Text & Performance and a Degree in Philosophy with Literature from Sussex University. She also holds a Studio Professional Diploma in Fitness and Postgraduate Diploma in Publishing & Printing form the London College of Printing. Prior to Synergy she has managed The Alpine Cub Photo Library with George Band – (1953 Everest Expedition), worked in book publishing for Usborne books Kingfisher, Dorling Kindersley and Which? and within the entertainment industry as an actress for the BBC (The Life of Dickens/Peter Ackroyd) and other film projects including Bond/Skyfall. 

She is very ambitious and has led the Charity to be nominated and win many awards – see below. She is a great advocate of continuous learning and development leading the Synergy team to grow and empower the charity to meet the ever-increasing demand for services. 

We are committed to maintaining high standards in governance and accountability, especially safeguarding and equal opportunities, and we carefully monitor and evaluate the impact of our work. All staff and volunteers are trained in safeguarding and DBS checked to an enhanced level. 

The Board connects regularly during the year (with attendance on some occasions from outside members or experts). The Board retains control of all statutory matters including the Charity Commission and oversees risk management with help from Consultancies and partners. 






## **Welcome from Rachael Hurton (CEO)** 




Welcome to Synergy Dance® Outreach. We are here to fight for change and more inclusive opportunities and activities for all. 

Synergy Dance Outreach is a charity which provides inclusive dance, fitness, yoga, wellness, singing and enrichment activities for children, teens, adults and seniors of all ages and abilities. We provide classes both in person and online, and offer standing and seated programmes, high and low impact. Many of our courses are commissioned directly from our partner organizations. 

Since forming we have discovered ever-growing demand for onsite and on demand classes for SEND children and adults. We are on a mission to keep everyone active and to break down the barriers which prevent children and adults from taking part in an activity. Our goal is to provide exercise and opportunities for everyone, where no one is left behind. Our programmes aim to help participants to improve their fitness levels, happiness and wellbeing. We want to build new life-skills, confidence, self-esteem, independence and resilience, and new important friendships/networks with others with similar lived experience. We have also introduced work experience and training opportunities for young people with SEND and will continue to expand this. 

As a charity we are very keen to collaborate with other organisations and to engage the The disability community; Those with Special Educational Needs; Seniors - Healthy ageing and low impact programs; Those with Long Term Health Conditions; Visually impaired/Blind; Deaf community & Hard of hearing & School children, teens & young people. Our additional seated workouts, ParaStars Yoga, ParaStars Pilates and ParaStars Dance are suitable for all ages and target the disability community and those with LTHC's. 

We are always here to talk to you and discuss new options and opportunities to be fully inclusive and we will go the extra mile to make it happen. We have a dedicated team, who work round the clock to expand our services to new areas of the UK, to engage with families and their needs, and to to measure the impact of all that we do. So many families are wanting the same opportunities and choice for their son or daughter or relative with SEN. We get excited every time we receive a new enrolment or sign up! Our unique innovative classes are meeting unmet need and getting people active. 



As CEO - I now have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people in finding exercise and services they want and are motivated to do which is inclusive & accessible. It’s all about being the right price, fun & easy to access with levels and activities for everyone. My ultimate goal is to make a difference within the activity and Arts sectors. On a personal level, I had an ambition to address the fact that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people with 53% saying this is due to "no activities suitable for me". 

We've experienced a surge in demand for our services in the last year, and will build on this to reach many more people who can benefit from our inclusive delivery. 

If you would like to help us to run future projects, become a sponsor or volunteer - please contact us on manager@synergydanceoutreach.co.uk 

## **Thank you again - for helping us to make a difference.** 

## Rachael 

Rachael Hurton 

## **Breaking down barriers** 

We have expanded into Ed-Tech/Health-Tech & the Tech-for-good sector. We aim to inspire more accessible inclusive digital activity in the UK & globally & to make a difference to as many children and adults as possible. We continue to support social prescribing with the NHS to help people with LTHC’s or poor mental health. We are also supporting seniors with a wide range of dance and yoga programmes. 

In addition to this, we are creating new employment & inclusive opportunities for young adults with SEND who wish to gain work in the Arts and Fitness via our work experience and SEND leadership programme (see our case study on Sam, who has Down's Syndrome, below). 

We have carved a niche in the market for children’s activities to be fully inclusive and we are planning a new ethical franchise model already started in Essex. This will create new employment & inclusive opportunities. 

We will also expand our team of talent who provide our ground-breaking pre-recordings: **see https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/907843973/be63e388e6** 

This year we will launch an online training program for ParaStars Yoga® and ParaStars Dance® - new innovations for seated workouts. We also have plans to set up a National training program for Synergy teachers to help us meet unmet need for classes throughout the UK. 



We have explored how digital offerings will evolve and what strategies we can deploy to provide the perfect mix between live & digital offerings to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of modern children and adults who need flexible exercise. 

The pandemic has prompted us to prioritise mental health & activities for children, with 50% focusing more on their wellbeing in 2022. Far from being stop-gaps to tide the industry over during the COVID pandemic, livestream & on demand activities have become vital additions to leisure provider's & school’s long-term digital offerings, with 80% of customers planning to continue using them post-pandemic. They have continued to be popular in the last year. 

The digital fitness boom and growth of home working mean today’s CYP need a connected fitness experience that offers convenience & enables them to maintain a more active lifestyle. This especially resonates with the disability community who may prefer to exercise at home, in the community or a combination of the two. 




## **The cost-of-living crisis** 

Our goal is to offer even more heavily subsidised services to ensure financial accessibility, especially now so many are affected by the cost-of-living crisis and our own costs e.g. staff costs and room hire are increasing, as we now often have to pay travel to make it viable for our teachers. 

As a charity we are being severely impacted by the cost-of-living on multiple levels. We are finding the following negative impacts: 

All our staff costs have gone up as staff are finding it harder financially and increasing fees and have put up their rates and need to charge for travel where possible. 

All venues, even local leisure centres, are being impacted by costly energy bills and are substantially increasing room hire fees. 



- Many of our partners (e.g. care homes/ SEND schools) have had their own budgets cut and cannot afford to pay for enrichment activities that aren’t heavily subsidised, which in turn impacts our work and income. This is reducing our unrestricted funding needed for core costs. We have limited resources. 

- Demand for our enrichment services is increasing and we are keen to meet this demand. Many are finding they have less money so most people cannot afford to make charitable donations. 

- Many families with disabled members already live in poverty with parents unable to work full time or at all. Many are struggling more with poor mental health worsened by feelings of isolation, as they have not been able to access usual services and many, especially those with learning disabilities/autism struggle to express and deal with their emotions. 

We prefer to offer heavily subsidized services to ensure financial accessibility, especially as the costof-living crisis is continuing and worsening. There is a lot of research evidencing this for example Counting the Costs 2021, a major survey of almost 3,000 UK families with disabled children, found that: 

- In the preceding 12 months, almost a third of parent or carers have gone without heating (30%) and food for themselves (37%). Half have gone without toys, presents and computer equipment for their children. 

- 55% of respondents were shielding during lockdown. As a consequence of shielding, 30% report they got into debt or borrowed money, 15% got behind with mortgage payments, 10% used a food-bank for the first time and 7% lost their job. 

- Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents claim Universal Credit and 40% of those said they are worse off since claiming, despite assurances from government that no one would be worse off. Nearly two thirds (61%) say that caring responsibilities mean they or their partner has given up paid work, on average losing £21,270 from their family income. 

- Counting the Costs 2021 also reveals that the squeeze and pressure on incomes comes at a cost to the wellbeing of families, with 92% of parent or carers saying "going without" affects their own health and a third (34%) saying it affects the health of their child. 

- Worryingly, some families with disabled children don’t see a way out, with almost one in five saying they have increased care commitments due to the pandemic that will impact their ability to earn money in the future. 

- With the cost-of-living-crisis having continued for so long and only getting worse, this is why we need to continue to access as much funding as possible to help those families with disabled members and ensure they are not further marginalised by an inability to access services that make a huge difference to their lives. 

Part of our ongoing strategy is to increase our fundraising efforts to enable more delivery in areas throughout the UK. Our activities are fun and inspiring, and our success stories and testimonials often bring a tear to the eye! 

In the last year the biggest growth has been in the East Midlands/SE - and we have new areas asking for services throughout the UK. 



## **Where we work** 

Croydon, Aldershot, Bagshot, Hindhead, Thornton Heath, Manchester, New Malden, Guildford, Godalming, Kingston upon Hull, Hampton Middlesex, Weybridge, Caterham, Surbiton, Fleet, Cranleigh, Wokingham, Leatherhead, Farnham, Camberley, Gosport, Hartley Whitney, Hayes, South London, East London, North London, Central London, East Grinstead, Oxted, Worcester Park, Hook, Windsor, Addlestone, Sheffield, West Midlands, West Byfleet, Sandhurst and Walton on Thames. 

Founded in Guildford as a small not-for-profit enterprise in 2017, we have grown at a rapid rate and now think big. In Surrey alone, we have been active in Leatherhead, Dorking, Guildford, Haslemere, Woking, Weybridge, Stoughton, Walton, Chertsey, Ash, Reigate, Godalming, Farncombe, Redhill and Horley – supporting the disability community and SEN children to enjoy exercise and overcome marginalisation. 

Seniors enjoy our upbeat sessions which encourage relaxation and memory recall. Local care homes we have been active at include Broadwater Lodge, Claremont, Queen Elizabeth Park, Farncombe Day Centre and Signature at Moorlands Lodge. 

Further afield, we have partnered with like-minded organisations to bring our unique programmes to new groups of service users. We worked jointly with FND Hope for those with neurological disorders in Oxfordshire, while Cube Disability Kids which supports children with learning disabilities in Northamptonshire welcomed our classes. We have recently partnered with Children In Motion and KEF kids too. 

In London, Save the Children have supported us and spread the word among their beneficiaries. Meanwhile Blind Aid, also based in the capital, have liaised with our talented instructors to provide themed classes for clients with impaired sight. 

In West Yorkshire, we have supported WY CANN’s mission to help children with additional needs. And we have worked hand in hand with the Brain Charity to help ameliorate the over 600 conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system. 

We attained national reach this year and through joint collaborations we have been able to reach many more service users with our digital workouts. Many more partners and schools are TBA. 

On the map below you can see current areas where are services are in demand, with delivery in other areas coming soon. 






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## **Objectives and activities** 

The principal activity of the Outreach charity is to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing through lifelong participation in dance, fitness, yoga, singing and related wellbeing activities for all, where neither finance, fitness, ability, disability or family circumstance are barriers to participation, as highlighted in our summary. We aim to remove barriers by providing accessible and innovative dance and related activities for children and young people, adults, seniors, people experiencing disadvantage and those affected by SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). 

We are a Surrey based registered CIO charity, with National reach, governed by 3 trustees and a steering committee who contribute ideas and feed back. We are providing specialist dance, yoga, pilates, singing and fitness to SEND participants of all ages. Our classes work with smaller groups and SEND trained teachers, essential for more specialist classes and also provide digital delivery for our service users. 

We are all inclusive and deliver a growing range of programs for special educational needs and the disability community – from children and teens to adults and seniors. 





## **Removing barriers to exercise for disadvantaged groups** 

We aim to remove barriers by providing accessible and innovative dance, yoga and movement activities for: 

Children Young people Adults Seniors 

The disadvantaged Those affected by Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Those with long term health conditions 

The disability community, including visually impaired, blind and the deaf community/hard of hearing 



We encourage inactive people to become active; bring people together to regularly participate in fun activities; and improve people’s wellbeing. 

We aim to combat: 

- Obesity 

- Mental health problems Isolation 

Outreach classes provide structure to participants’ weekly routines and offer something they can look forward to. Our activities meet local needs and help to reduce health inequalities. 


**Joanne:** _Classes have impacted Ruby hugely. She is in mainstream school and really struggles, but she can be herself and has friends at Synergy. It is her happiest two hours in the whole week! We have noticed increased confidence and sense of self, better balance, cooperation and listening skills. Ruby used to do her own thing in class but now she follows what the teacher is doing. She is loving ballet and we hope it continues._ 



## **Our mission and values** 

We support the disability and SEN community to thrive and help people to be their best selves. With Synergy no one is left behind! 

It is Outreach’s policy to pursue the highest possible standards in governance and accountability – and especially in Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities. 

We carefully monitor and evaluate the impact of our work and use our local networks to discreetly join up disadvantaged children, young people and families with community and voluntary sector support. We link with appropriate agencies, focus groups and partners, where this can further aid participants who have multiple complex health issues. 

## **Co-production with service users** 

In order to achieve our aims, we actively listen to the communities we serve to ensure we deliver what they want and need. We regularly consult with, and involve users in connection with the design, themes, content and delivery of services. We often cross-over genres (such as dance/yoga/Pilates) in one class, and we combine themes – for example Zombies and Cheerleading, Breakdance & Street, Ballet and Musical Theatre; to make classes more appealing. The fun and games constitute ‘exercise in disguise’! 





## **Our charitable objectives** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach stands out for our diverse range of inclusive on-site and digital activities and for our ability to reach out to all children and adults who can benefit from exercise. 

## We support the following goals: 

- To aid the advancement of education including work with pre-schools, schools, PTAs, out-ofschool clubs, colleges, universities, libraries and sports clubs. We collaborate with Active Surrey and are their chosen School Engagement partners for Dance in Surrey. 

- To aid the advancement of health and the saving of lives; all our activities promote healthy living through physical activity and the improvement of mental wellbeing. 

- To support disadvantaged people, we work with children’s care homes, adult care homes, dropin centres and residential care facilities for older people. These venues provide fun, accessible and inclusive exercise, wellness, singing, art, memory recall and more. 

- To work directly with other charities that support people with SEND. 

- To support the advancement of citizenship and community development activities, including the creation of volunteering opportunities. We coach and train volunteers and connect and collaborate with other charities (see above). Internships and apprenticeships are available for graduates. We also actively encourage peer to peer support to help new children feel welcome. To aid the advancement of the arts and culture we provide activities which encourage high standards in dance, yoga, fitness, art and choreography and delivery of high-quality performances in contribution to concerts and theatre – dancing for fun and fitness. 

## **Our impact** 

We ensure that Synergy Dance® Outreach follows the aims below and is committed to the following objectives: 

- Increase access to education, qualifications and skills/ increase employability:  Some programmes will enhance children’s literacy, numeracy and ICT skills by facilitating participant involvement in on-going programme logistics and improvement work. 

- Improve people’s health and wellbeing (physical, mental and emotional): this is our number one priority and the principal goal of the Outreach charity. Our activities are in line with Health Surrey’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy. 

- Increase access to education, boost qualifications and skills and increase employability: some of our programmes enhance children’s literacy, numeracy and ICT skills by facilitating involvement in ongoing programmes. 

- Improve and increase access to sport, exercise and leisure activities. We engage with the arts, culture and heritage: we extend opportunities to perform and share in responsibility for facilitating public participation in dance. One of our projects – Fun In the School Holidays (FISH) – runs in collaboration with Guildford Council and takes place outside of term time. More than 120 attendances will be recorded by the end of the project. 



Improve community cohesion and reduce isolation: our projects provide access to recreational opportunities that might otherwise be closed to communities – they supply scope for learning, personal development and friendship-making and support the public by building confidence and group work skills. Many of our projects focus on families in poverty: this group now stands at 10% of our beneficiaries, an increase of 2.2% compared with 2015 according to Surrey County Council. 

## **In summary…** 

No material changes in policy have occurred since the last report. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's revised general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning the future activities. 

The Trustees consider the current activities as detailed in this report to deliver public benefit. 

## **Demand for Synergy Dance® Outreach services** 

Demand for our services is continually increasing nationally. Reports show 2,000+ children are registered disabled and 75,217 people have a physical disability in Surrey alone - where we are based. 

Multiple barriers prevent disabled people from being active; some even fear losing benefits if seen as being ‘active’ (Activity Alliance, 2018). Service users continue to need varied activities to continue at home in order to keep active, reduce stress and anxiety – especially the most vulnerable and those with SEND. 

We are working hard to expand both onsite and virtual delivery of dance, yoga and fitness programmes to meet local and national needs. We put those with long-term health conditions and SEND at the centre of our approach, enabling participants to maintain flexibility, muscle strength and wellbeing whilst seated at home or in a community setting. This reduces stress, aids relaxation and helps to boost the immune system. We offer unique seated classes for participants in wheelchairs, those with a LTHC, mobility issues and the elderly. 

## **Everyone Active partnership** 

Everyone Active partner with us to offer our all-inclusive online platform classes to their members. These classes went out free to over 200 Everyone Active leisure sites nationally during the pandemic – potentially reaching audiences of up to 200,000 during lockdown (funded by Sport England/National Lottery). 





## **Providing choice** 

Our hybrid service offer includes both online and in-person delivery - this is popular with both our service users and the sectors we serve. 

## **Health statistics** 

Current statistics in the UK indicate that there are over 11 million people with a limiting long-term illness, impairment or disability, with prevalence rising with age. Around 6% of children are disabled, compared to 16% of working age adults and 45% of adults over state pension age. 

A substantially higher proportion of individuals who occupy families with disabled members live in poverty, compared to households where no one is disabled: 19% of individuals in families with at least one disabled member live in relative poverty, compared to 15% of individuals in families with no disabled member. 

Obesity and inactivity were on the rise even before the coronavirus crisis. In 2017, 30% of children aged 2–15 in England were overweight or obese and 65% of adults were in that category. Many children and adults are not getting their recommended one hour of activity a day. 

Our inclusive and colourful activities are getting kids moving as well as adults. 

## **Outreach and mental health** 

We support the one in four people who experience a mental health problem. In 2017, one in eight children and young people aged 5–19 had at least one mental health disorder. 

The pandemic has caused an even greater challenge for those already living with mental health problems. Anxiety, self-harming and depression are on the rise, and many will be feeling even more anxious after unprecedented challenges in the last 2 years. 

Between 2020 and 2021 the rates of referrals remained similar before increasing again between 2021 and 2022, from 17% to 26%. 

In the year to March 2023 there were 21,555 urgent referrals to mental health crisis teams, up 46% on 2022. These are children with the most acute mental health symptoms, who might otherwise need to go to hospital for psychosis, severe self-harm or suicide attempts. 



The Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 report, published on 21 November by NHS England, found that 20.3% of 8 to 16-year-olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023. Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the proportion was 23.3%, while in 20 to 25-year-olds it was 21.7%. 

## **Our current goals** 

We at Synergy aim to encourage diverse activities for the disability and SEND community; to work together with other charities and organisations and to provide fit-for-purpose and inspiring activities for our beneficiaries. 

We have an excellent track record: demand for our services is continually increasing and we monitor and evaluate all our work. 

Our key objective is to address the social problems of poor mental health, social isolation and obesity. We promote the recommended one hour of activity per day and allow our service users to keep fit at home in innovative ways and on site. 

## **Our beneficiaries** 

Outreach is unique because it is fully inclusive, with classes for everyone including: 

- Mainstream children 

- SEND children Visually Impaired and Blind 

- Deaf community and those with hearing loss 

- Long-term Health Conditions 

- Learning difficulties 

- Health Referrals 

- Those who are low in confidence or don’t like team sports 

- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 

- Mild Learning Disability (MLD) 

- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) 

- Down’s Syndrome Dyspraxia Dyslexia 

- Global Developmental Delay Asthma 

- Cerebral Palsy 

- Multiple long term health conditions such as Dementia, Cancer or Arthritis and more 







## **Reserves** 

During the pandemic we had to stop all in-person delivery causing an immediate cessation of income from these services. This affected our reserves as we had invoices to pay and sudden complete loss of revenue streams for reserves. In 2020 we promptly took action to build our depleted reserves and took out a Bounce Back loan for £9,000, strictly for reserves to meet our commitment to restricted funds and adequate reserves to keep the charity robust. The charity is fully sustainable as we have this buffer. We have been challenged by the lack of onsite revenue to support unrestricted reserves during Covid. _**Trustees are already planning many more fundraising activities and our loan amounts owed have reduced in the last year and will continue to do so. Next year's accounts are already far more robust.**_ 

We will continue to ensure reserves are growing and building in the years to come. Our fundraising activities will also continue to expand but have been limited during the last financial year due to limited resources. Multi-award winning charity 

## **Achievements and performance** 

- 2023 Sports Community Initiative of the Year 2023 SME Best All-ages Dance Activity Company 2023 Digital Dance & Fitness Provider of the Year 

- 2023 SME Diversity & Inclusion Award 

- 2021, 2022 & 2023 Specialist Dance School of the Year 2022 Digital Business of the Year 

- 2022 Best Dance Outreach Programmes Provider – UK 2021 Leader of the Year (Rachael Hurton) 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Award SRA 



## **As seen on TV…** 

Featured on Strictly Come Dancing for inclusive dance activities for children in 2021. 

**See** : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXTg6n4SD-k 

Exposure to 11 million viewers led to unprecedented demand for our SEND activities in the UK. View impact here: https://fb.watch/aok3dBVMAt/ - - - - - Find out more: https://synergydance.co.uk/synergy dance on strictly come dancing/ 





Synergy works with the BBC/BBC Radio Surrey & provides commentary on Strictly Come Dancing/inclusive dance. 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2qtqgmBeumH6bgg8qHo8YCbcnhchour&feature=shared 

- - - - - - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rachael hurton 5592062b_synergy dance online activity 7011269952494051328--7Yo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Founder and CEO Rachael Hurton was also named and featured as “Entrepreneur of the Month” - Platinum Business magazine - May 2020. This was for our fast reaction to the Covid Crisis. 

- - - - https://www.platinumpublishing.co.uk/platinum business magazine/2020/05/natwest accelerator - - - - - - entrepreneur of the month andndash may 2020/ 

We stand out for delivering a hybrid model of online and in-person activities for CYP throughout. We partner with Everyone Active for national distribution of our inclusive digital workouts. We have 67 partners and the number of SEND schools we supply increased significantly in the last year. 



## **New SEND schools and colleges joining us in the last year** 

- The Bridge Youth Centre – Clare Cres, Leatherhead KT22 7RB 

- The Blue Youth Community Centre – 190 to 192 Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3RP Bow school – Phoenix Upper School, Paton Close, Bow, London E3 2QD KEF Kids – The KEF Centre, Wilberforce Road, London NW9 6AX 

- Holy Trinity School – Trinity Road, Gravesend DA12 1LU 

- YMCA East Surrey – YMCA Sovereign Centre, Reigate RH2 8HA 

- Bridge College – Openshaw Campus, Manchester M11 2GR 

- Portesbery School – Newfoundland Road, Camberley GU16 6TA 

- Gosden House School – Horsham Road, Guildford GU5 0AH 

- The Meadows School – Dudley Road, Oldbury B69 3BU 

- Merrywood Education, Tadworth Campus – Merrywood House School, Tadworth KT20 7HF Evendons Primary School – Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3HD 

- Merrywood Education, Sandmartin Campus – Merrywood House School, Sandmartin Way, Wallington SM6 7DF 

- Phoenix Upper School – Paton Close, London E3 2QD 

- Piper Hill School – Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 2YS 

- Hedgewood School – Weymouth Road, Hayes UB4 8NF 

- St Peter’s Catholic Primary School – Goresbrook Road, Dagenham RM9 6UU The Orpheus Centre – Bletchingly, Godstone RH9 8ND 

At Synergy Dance® Outreach we provide dance, yoga, fitness, Musical Theatre and wellbeing classes for schools. 

## **Other schools we have worked with include:** 

_The Link School, Carew Academy, Bensham Manor, Cornfield School,Strathmore School, Abbey School, Freemantles School, Woodfield School, Linden Bridge, Foxgrove School, Bushy Hill, Blossom House School, Pond Meadows School, Gosden House School, Clifton Hill School, Send C of E Primary School and Dysart School._ 





_Tilly is a hit!!!!!!! Totally the right personality. E's absolute favourite part was what she called ‘the relaxation part’. E showed me some of the stretches and said it made her feel very calm so also maybe a longer stretch/ breathing / cool down too. I’m so happy she really enjoyed it and said she can’t wait for her next session with Tilly._ **Evendons Primary School – June 2023** 



## **The social toll of Covid** 

Our service users are people who are already marginalised and vulnerable due to having special educational needs, disabilities, long-term health conditions, age and infirmity. It has been widely reported that these groups have suffered even more due to the Covid-19 crisis and many of our CYP had long periods off school. 

Most people with additional needs and health challenges cannot easily exercise by walking, running or cycling and our on demand courses offer them so much choice to explore ways of keeping fit. 

Many people have lost work and more people are struggling financially with the cost-ofliving crisis, which adds to feelings of stress, anxiety and poor mental health. Many parents who are in employment are struggling trying to care for children at home whilst working. 

Our provision is specially designed and aimed at helping these people to improve both their physical and mental health and wellbeing in an accessible way. 

It is vital that we provide activities to enable the disability community to continue to exercise, relax and keep fit safely at home. We are very thankful for grants that supported our objectives and projects in the last year, as listed in our financial report. 

Through an online portal, not only are we helping those disadvantaged people in communities to improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing, but we are also helping community cohesion. Our group and live sessions build a sense of togetherness to help reduce feelings of isolation, the most topical challenge for us. 

Our on demand delivery is proving popular with under-represented groups due to its broad accessibility. By delivering our courses online we are already reaching five times the normal number of participants. Areas of growth this year are subtitled workouts for those with hearing loss and a new partnership with Deaf Umbrella. 






## **Trends and ESG** 

Demand continues for new, varied activities at home to keep active, and reduce stress and anxiety and to enjoy in the community in schools, leisure centres and care homes. In particular we are able to reach the most vulnerable and isolated participants, who cannot easily attend on site activities. 

## **ESG is part of our ongoing strategy:** 

**ENVIRONMENT** - By taking fitness choices digital, Synergy exercise on demand reduces travel, pollution and barriers to exercise. 

**SOCIAL** - Support social inclusion and help diverse communities to belong in fitness. 

**GOVERNANCE** - With diversity of governance, we bring inclusivity to your range of products and support well-being in all sectors of the community. 

_Sport England’s weekly tracker showed that people with long-term health conditions, those with disabilities and older people (55+) were more likely to worry about leaving home to exercise or be active. This demonstrates the change in people’s motivation and behaviour and the onset of widening inequalities during and beyond Covid-19._ 

## **Onsite classes for the SEND community** 

As a charity we have found there is demand to produce many more tailored classes to specifically meet the different needs of different service users e.g. different age groups and varying needs and abilities – hence our diverse range of courses for a wide range of ages which is ever expanding. We always have a conversation with our schools and charity partners, to discover how we can best support both their participants and their budgets. 





## **How we work: the community accessing our services** 

The people using our services are mainly from the disability and SEN community and those with long-term health conditions. We are here to help with: 

- Mental health issues 

- Anxiety 

- Depression 

- Feeling isolated 

- Special Educational Needs 

- Autistic Spectrum Disorder 

- Visual Impairments 

- Long Term Health Conditions 

- Children, teenagers, adults and seniors 

- Parents and carers 


## **What we provide** 

Our Synergy Dance® Outreach classes reach people who currently experience numerous barriers to participation. 

Working to adapt and expand vital delivery, we have designed ParaStars Yoga® and ParaStars Dance™ – new Synergy programs to meet the particular needs of our audience. Classes – including seated ones – may be delivered virtually, enabling participants to maintain flexibility, muscle strength and wellbeing at home. 


## **Sessions** : 

Reduce stress 

Aid relaxation 

Help to boost the immune system 

## **Our key objectives are to** : 

Support participants to be as active as possible 

- Address isolation 

- Tackle obesity 


- Ensure good mental wellbeing. 




## **Classes for seniors & low impact programmes** 

We work with many older people in the community and in residential care homes. They appreciate our singing, and seated dance and yoga classes which help them keep fit, maintain balance and stay mentally alert. We subsidise these classes where possible, so we can continue to provide our much-loved services at low cost. In the last year we have expanded our care home delivery. 




Many people are still struggling with their mental health and anxiety. They feel vulnerable and afraid, and carers are also struggling to support this group; day care and special schools are often unavailable, and people may have to juggle teaching siblings and working from home. By taking our programmes online, we have increased our reach to as many of our target audiences as possible: they can now take part, on demand at home. 

In 2022/23, an average of 37.1% of women and 29.9% of men reported high levels of anxiety. Compared to data from 2012 to 2015, this has increased significantly from 21.8% of women and 18.3% of men reporting high levels of anxiety. 

Between 2017 and 2022, rates of probable mental disorder increased from around 1 in 8 young people aged 7-16 to more than 1 in 6. 

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 






## **Seniors and the ageing population** 

People worldwide are living longer. Today most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. Every country in the world is experiencing growth in both the size and the proportion of older persons in the population. As a charity, we will ensure that our programmes continue to represent and support people over 60 years. 

By 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million. 

By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 years will live in low- and middle-income countries. 




Our seated and low impact classes aim to support common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia. As people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time so finding any way to comfortably exercise can be a challenge. 

Supportive physical and social environments are vital to enable people to do what is important to them, despite losses in capacity. In developing a public-health response to ageing, it is important not just to consider individual and environmental approaches that support the losses associated with older age, but also those that may reinforce recovery, adaptation and psychosocial growth. We wish to be proactive in this process in providing innovative dance and yoga solutions and community fitness solutions for this population. 

Our goal is to reduce health inequities and improve the lives of older people by providing older people who need it access to high quality and fun exercise options. 

We also work with a lot of older people in the community and residential care homes. They love our singing and seated dance and yoga classes which can help them keep fit and maintain balance. The people accessing our services are mainly people from the disability community and those with long term health conditions who are struggling with mental health, anxiety, depression and feeling isolated. Including, those with special educational needs, autistic spectrum conditions, visual impairments, long term health conditions (LTHCs) and parents and carers of these children, young people and adults and also older people. 



Our seated programmes, ParaStars Yoga® and ParaStars Dance™ for seniors support long term health conditions, and seniors at home or in residential care settings. 

For our in-person delivery, our singing and seated dance and yoga classes support keeping fit, maintaining balance to help prevent falls, help memory and to alleviate depression, “bringing joy” to what is often a decline in quality of life. 

Many of the care homes we serve have very limited budgets and cannot afford regular classes, so we raise funds to help subsidise classes where we can to continue to provide these much-loved services to elderly people who often feel cut off, with rather infrequent visits. Our Sing for Joy and chair programmes are helping to provide enrichment in care homes, day centres and Outreach centres. 




There is also the need for musical enrichment and company for older people, especially those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. We encourage inactive people to become active, bring marginalised people together to regularly participate in fun activity improving fitness and wellbeing and helping to combat isolation. 

ParaStars Yoga® for Seniors is low impact and works on posture and stiff limbs, which are often a problem after a fall. Outreach classes provide structure in participant’s weekly routines, the opportunity to socialise with peers, encourage greater independence and something to look forward to, also providing activities meeting local need and helping to reduce health inequalities. 

In the last year we have expanded our reach for Sing for Joy, ParaStars Yoga® and ParaStars Dance® by an increase of 40%. 

We have helped participants to build, maintain and improve confidence – the workouts have improved general wellbeing and reduced feelings of stress and frustration at being confined to home – participants are able to do classes daily and repeat if they wish, several times a day. Many children and young people with VI and SEND have the option to repeatedly take part in our fun and calming routines, whilst really improving fitness and wellbeing. 



## **New charity partners in the last year include:** 

- **Ashgrove Care Home** - This residential home near Hornchurch town centre provides a high standard of care to residents. The home supports the elderly, the frail and those with dementia within a cosy, family atmosphere. 

- **The Blue Youth and Community Centre** , London- The Blue Youth and Community Centre is a community hub supporting people to become empowered, enabled and to achieve their aspirations. The youth club serves those aged 11–15 years old and offers games, activities, arts and crafts. 

- **Bridge College, Manchester** - Bridge College is a specialist college in Manchester for students aged 16–25 with disabilities, complex needs and autism. It is on the Openshaw campus of The Manchester College. It is run by the Together Trust charity and has a maximum of 95 students. 

- **Bridge Youth Centre** , Leatherhead - The centre offers free access for young people who can take part in activities such as sports, cooking, arts and crafts and music whilst engaging in a topical-based curriculum to develop personal and social skills. 

- **Broadwater Lodge Care Home, Godalming** - This home provides dementia, residential and respite care for older people. Facilities on site include a pub, cinema, hair salon and sweet shop. There is also a farmyard for petting animals. 

- **Children in Motion** - Children in Motion is a physiotherapy practice specialising in the treatment of children and young people. Skilled neuro-paediatric physiotherapists see children at the centre in Surrey and also visit schools and colleges. 

- **The Clockhouse Community Centre, Godalming** - Age UK Surrey and the Clockhouse recently merged. The centre provides a range of activities for all ages in a safe, inclusive and fun environment. A cafe, hairdressing and a weekly foot clinic are all available to patrons. 

- **Eastwood Leisure Centre, Sheerwater** - Managed in partnership with Woking Borough Council, the centre offers swimming lessons, group exercise classes, healthy communities sports classes and a gym. There is also a cafe to relax in. 

- **Evendons Primary School, Wokingham** - This is a two-form-entry, state-funded school. It is Wokingham’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-focused primary school and opened its doors in 2014. Practical learning and a caring environment are on the agenda. 



- **Gosden House School, Guildford -** Gosden House School is an institution for children with learning and additional needs, aged 4–16. With a focus on learning skills and communication, the school seeks to develop resilient and creative pupils. 

- **Hedgewood School, Hayes -** The school provides opportunities and support for children with autism and learning difficulties. Teachers work closely with Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists to extend the pupils’ skills. 

- **Holy Trinity School, Gravesend -** An inclusive Christian school with links to three parish churches, this institution seeks to grow enlightened, responsible and confident learners. The curriculum supports pupils to flourish and encourages diversity. 

- **KEF Kids, London -** KEF Kids is a charity supporting the lives of children and young adults with physical and learning disabilities and their families. Participants encounter friendships, fun and opportunities while respite is on offer for parents and families. 

- **The Meadows School, Sandwell -** The institution is one of Sandwell’s four special schools. It caters for children with learning difficulties, complex medical needs and challenging behaviour. Valuing and respecting students and safeguarding are key attributes of the school. 

- **Merrywood Education, Sandmartin Campus** - The Sandmartin campus was established in 2021 to support children aged 5–13. It offers a home-like school setting for children who have experienced trauma and require a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision. It supports those with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, attachment difficulties, self harming, speech and language problems and dyslexia or dyspraxia. 

- **Merrywood Education, Tadworth Campus** - The Tadworth campus was set up in 2019 to support children aged 5–13 years of age. It offers a small, home-like school setting for children who have experienced trauma and require a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision. It supports those with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, attachment difficulties, self harming, speech and language problems and dyslexia or dyspraxia. 

- **Merrywood SEND** - Merrywood Education follows a model of nurturing children through education, based on the neuroscience of developmental trauma. Merrywood aims to support pupils educationally, socially, morally and physically. 

- **Orpheus Centre, Godstone** - This specialist centre inspires and empowers young disabled people to live fulfilling, independent lives. The college increases pupils’ confidence and provides opportunities through the performing arts. 



- **Peacehaven Leisure Centre, Brighton/Hove -** This modern, multi-purpose centre has a newly refurbished state-of-the-art gym, sports and activity halls and an aerobics studio. It is just a few minutes’ walk from buses to Brighton. 

- **Phoenix Upper School, London -** This is a special school for children and young people with autism serving Tower Hamlets with three sites and two satellite provisions. The curriculum is stimulating and aspirational, and the school fosters positive relationships with families and the community. 

- **Piper Hill High School, Manchester -** The school is part of the Prosper Learning Trust. It works in partnership with parents and agencies to provide the best education and outcomes for children. State-of-the-art facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, dance and drama studio, gym and Interactive Learning Environment (ILE) room. 

- **Portesbery School, Camberley -** The school caters to children aged 3–19 years with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). Their vision is of a safe and happy environment where everyone matters, every voice is heard and everyone learns. 

- **St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Dagenham -** The values of this school are: perseverance, respect, integrity, compassion and enthusiasm. The institution has a religious focus, and pupil chaplains lead worship through a Wednesday Word programme which spreads the message of the Gospel. 

- **Sense** - Sense helps people who are deaf/blind or who have complex disabilities to communicate, experience the world and fulfil their potential. They offer residential care and virtual support, and have a network of centres in communities across the country. Clients are supported with holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes. 

- **Southwick Leisure Centre, Brighton/Hove** - This extensive organisation offers nine centres, five gyms, three swimming centres and 340+ fitness classes. They have a sustainable outlook and attempt to meet environmental requirements to help save the planet. 

- **Surrey Young Carers** - Surrey Young Carers assist children from year One upwards. They cater for every type of family and understand the responsibilities young carers face. The organisation provides patrons with support and opportunities to meet – and have fun with – young people in similar positions. 

- **YMCA East Surrey, Reigate** - YMCA is a vibrant charity that helps vulnerable children and young people to belong, contribute and thrive. Their wide range of projects and activities aim to create happy, healthy and connected communities 



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## **SEND Schools** 

Other schools currently on our books are: The Link School, Carew Academy, Bensham Manor, Cornfield School, Portesbury School, Strathmore School, Abbey School, Freemantles School, Woodfield School, Linden Bridge, Foxgrove School, Bushy Hill, Blossom House School, Pond Meadows School, Clifton Hill School, Send C of E Primary School, St Josephs Specialist Trust and Dysart School. 

## **Our year and beyond in summary** 

We are proud to support inclusive and creative activities for all children, teens, adults and the elderly. In the last year Synergy Dance Outreach have provided both live and online delivery for primary and secondary SEND schools, covering a wide choice of services including SEND Dance & Movement, SEND Dance Fitness, SEND Musical Theatre, SEND themed workshops and SEND Yoga & Wellbeing. Synergy also delivers seated dance, yoga and Pilates which can be hugely beneficial for motor skills, coordination and general wellbeing: ParaStars Yoga® and ParaStars Dance™ and ParaStars Pilates™. School clubs, classes, clubs and workshops take place before school, at lunch time, after school and during PE Curriculum periods. Synergy also delivers bespoke commissions for schools and Yoga for staff. 

## **Synergy Dance Outreach have supported:** 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (“SEND”) 

- Long Term and Life Limiting Health Conditions (“LTHC’S and LLHCs”) including physical disabilities (congenital and acquired) 

- Mental health issues and neurological conditions, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Downs Syndrome 

- Autistic spectrum conditions, limited communication, cancer, multiple disabilities, hearing loss, visual impairments, long-Covid, stroke, Limb loss and amputation. 

- Classes support a wide range of needs from learning difficulties & autism, ADHD, ASD, global development delay, MLD, ODD, Down’s Syndrome, dyspraxia and hearing loss. LTHC includes spinal injuries, limb loss, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, cancer, multiple disabilities, asthma, visually impaired/blind and hard of hearing, deaf community. 

Where possible, we provide inclusive, heavily subsidised activities, affordable for all. 

Our professionally recorded activities target conditions including physical disabilities (congenital & acquired), wheelchair participants, mental health issues & neurological conditions. 

## **Relevant Links** 

## **https://vimeo.com/user45431317/review/834415547/245618e832** 

Synergy Dance Outreach provide accessible, fun activities where children feel welcome. Peer to peer support, PECs cards and signing are often used in class. Synergy also offer SEND leadership opportunities for work experience and paid work to young people with SEND. (See case studies attached). 




## _**Piper Hill High School, Manchester**_ 

_**Synergy recently provided a day of workshops for Piper Hill School in Manchester for a Health and Wellbeing project. The goal was to provide enrichment for students and the project aimed at improving their students' health and wellbeing through the arts. Synergy provided one workshop for independent students and one for structured students. The workshops were dance/drama workshops exploring identifying feelings and emotions and how to express them. Synergy ran an entire day of workshops for different groups and the day was very fulfilling for the students.**_ 



We stand out because we are leading the way in inclusive digital fitness and serve diverse groups of CYP. We are passionate about providing children with opportunities & have engaged with many families from low socio-economic groups. 

## **Increased reach** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach has experienced fast growth this year, but enabling funding to do all we aspire to for our service users has proved challenging. The charity has improved by pivoting to go digital, reaching children and adults who would otherwise not have access to fit for purpose activities and we have joined forces with more partners to reach specialist audiences. 

In the last year, Synergy has grown from being a regional charity in Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire & London to extending to national each with new hot spots especially in England. The number of SEND schools we supply has increased by about 50%. 

Our high quality and innovative lessons are changing lives: 

_**Synergy Dance® Outreach is offering a connected, omnichanel fitness experience that meets the high expectations of children, parents, schools & leisure providers, helping them to keep dancing long term.**_ 




## **COVERAGE IN THE MEDIA** 

## _**Strictly Come Dancing**_ 

We were chosen by the BBC to appear on Strictly Come Dancing & the Final for our diverse range of inclusive activities & our ability to reach all children who can benefit from exercise. This was for a specific project funded by Children In Need. 

Strictly shared our children’s SEND classes at Guildford Spectrum: https://vimeo.com/664702396/cb84ea306f 

This TV coverage led to a lot of publicity and raised awareness of our inclusive services throughout the UK. As a charity we were able to reach a national audience of 11 million people and global tv coverage, and we have since had unprecedented demand for our online and onsite classes for children and adults. 

View impact here from public comments: https://fb.watch/aok3dBVMAt/ - - - - - Find out more: https://synergydance.co.uk/synergy dance on strictly come dancing/ 

This meant the world to our students, teachers, parents and carers: 

_**“Thank you to all the wonderful dance teachers at Synergy, our kids truly have lots of love for all of you, and we appreciate what you do.” (Hooda).**_ 

_**“Sam gave it his all on the day and was so excited and proud to have been a part of it all. He misses out on so many opportunities, parties, events due to his challenges so to be a part of this has meant so much to him and us." (Justine)**_ 



## **Increased demand for activities and Strictly Come Dancing** 

Since our TV exposure on Strictly Come Dancing, demand in Surrey for our services has more than quadrupled, and as we strive to meet this new demand for onsite classes, especially for children and young people – we can offer the digital experience to larger numbers with ease and are continuing to work with partners to distribute these to wider audiences. Please refer to the documents at the end of this report for more feedback, case studies and testimonials. 

## **Radio interviews on BBC Radio Surrey:** 

Synergy has built an ongoing relationship with the BBC which will continue & the Charity CEO, Rachael Hurton, speaks regularly on BBC Radio Surrey, which has further raised the charity’s profile & reach. 

CEO Commentary on Strictly Come Dancing: 

## **BBC Radio Surrey** 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2qtqgmBeumH6bgg8qHo8YCbcnhchour&feature=shared 

## **RNIB RADIO** 

Our CEO – also speaks on RNIB radio regarding our Audio dance and yoga classes for the Visually impaired and blind. 

- - - - - - - - - https://audioboom.com/posts/7815247 free virtual sessions for blind and partially sighted people 

- - - - - - - - https://audioboom.com/posts/7852745 happy hour podcast 06 meditation accessible dance - - - - - - classes parenthood with blind mom katie be - - - - - - - - - https://audioboom.com/posts/7895518 synergy dance bag a national award for their work 

Synergy Dance® Outreach has an active presence on social media utilising Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google Business, Twitter and YouTube. 

https://synergydanceoutreach.co.uk/ 

https://www.facebook.com/SynergyDanceOutreach/ 

https://www.instagram.com/synergydanceoutreach/ 

https://twitter.com/SynergyDanceOut 

All of our activities are backed by wide-ranging marketing campaigns and there will be opportunities for brand alignment and superb alignment with high-profile activities such as our exposure on Strictly Come Dancing and Children In Need on TV. 



## **Expansion of digital delivery** 

Our inclusive platform has enabled us to reach new customers on a national level in the UK and beyond. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5X8-rdbWpE 


## **- - dance online.teachable.com synergy** 

We aim to inspire more accessible inclusive digital activity in the UK & globally with our new digital platform for inclusive workouts. 

**View some of our workouts here:** 

**SEND Themed Dance for Teenagers ParaStars Yoga for Seniors ParaStars Dance for Teenagers Breakdance and Street for Mainstream Juniors Yoga and Meditation for Adults** 



_**“My name is Sabine, I am a blind woman of 44. I discovered your project a few months ago and downloaded the dancing course for blind adults. I find this initiative fascinating and I think it would be great if it could be replicated”.**_ 

You can listen to the impact we have made on one yoga participant here: - - https://synergy dance online.teachable.com/p/testimonials 




## **Feedback, Case Studies and Testimonials** 

We have received compelling feedback about what we are delivering, how it is changing lives and people wanting more (see testimonials attached at the end of this report). We are also listening to feedback and what service users say would benefit them the most. 

Demand for our services is continually increasing in Surrey and beyond and Nationwide. Reports show 2000+ children are registered disabled & 75,217 people have a physical disability in Surrey, more vulnerable & further isolated due to their conditions & shielding at home during COVID so unable to go out to exercise. 

## GEORGE’S STORY – see end of this report. 

## **KATHRYN’S STORY** 

I started working for Synergy Dance® Outreach in June 2020, as an Admin Assistant. I applied for the role because after losing my cousin, and best friend Jade to suicide, who was blind, and often felt excluded, I was amazed by the charities’ aims and ambitions to ensure the disability community never had to feel, how my cousin felt. 

Throughout my time here, I have been promoted several times and I am now known as the Marketing and Digital Project Manager. 

Since working for Synergy Dance® Outreach I have helped, and implemented new procedures and worked alongside Rachael, the charities’ Founder to make waves in the world of inclusive fitness and what an incredible journey it has been. 

From editing and building an online inclusive fitness platform to speaking with parents and hearing their stories, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions and a journey I am so lucky and privileged to have been a part of and to continue to be a part of. 

You see, Synergy Dance® Outreach isn’t just a dance company and we certainly aren’t just employees. We are a family, all fighting for a positive change and all fighting to be heard. Synergy Dance® Outreach has not only given me a voice and helped me achieve things I never thought I would, but it’s given parents and most importantly children a voice and a safe space to express themselves and move forward through their own journeys. 

For me, Synergy Dance® Outreach has had a huge impact on my life and gives me great job satisfaction. Because what’s better than waking up every day knowing that you’ve made a child, parent, adult, teen, or senior who once felt excluded feel included and feel like they are part of something bigger than what’s been holding them back. 



There is no greater joy than knowing YOU have helped someone regain their confidence, movement, self-worth, voice, speech, smile and more. 

I can’t wait to see what journey Synergy Dance® Outreach takes me on next, and I can’t wait to watch and be a part of the future growth and the positive change that Synergy is going to have around the world. 

Always remember, what we take for granted such as opening a door, walking to the shop, watching a show on TV, hearing someone laugh or seeing a friend/child smile, others are praying for. So, always be thankful for what you have and be the change you want to see – be more like Synergy Dance® Outreach and the hardworking team that has helped make change possible. 




Ren Hawes – Inclusive Dance Teacher Case Study:  Mia Age: 5yrs 

## **Disabilities:  Delay in speech & language, motor skills development, which leads to high anxiety & PDA** 

Mia has been attending a Saturday Inclusive Dance Class since September 2023. For most of the first half term, Mia found the transition to a new environment very difficult. She would only stay close to her father & when approached to encourage her to participate, she would become very anxious & say ‘no’.  As this is a sensory class using many props, I would still give a prop to her father in the hope that she may accept it from him, which she eventually did. 

Her father played a huge role in trying to integrate Mia & would join in with our activities. She enjoyed watching the other children but couldn’t join in herself. 

Myself & my assistants always included her, by saying her name & letting her know that it was OK to watch the activities & that she was welcome to join in anytime. Towards the end of half term, Mia came forwards (with her father sitting close by) with the rest of the children & was brave enough to participate! This was a massive step for her! 

I ask all the children if they’d like to help, e.g. stick the PECs on the mirror.  I soon learned that if Mia says “no”, she doesn’t necessarily mean it & would carry out the task anyway. Also, rephrasing a command, e.g. instead of ‘Can you collect the scarves?’ changing it to ‘Shall we/Would you like to collect the scarves? sometimes has a more positive response. Over the course of many weeks, Mia’s speech has improved so much!  Initially, she would only respond “yes” or “no”. 

Last Saturday, we said our goodbyes & without any prompting she told me “Enjoy the rest of your day”!!  I immediately fed back to her father & he was astonished!   And he told me that she excitedly says “Dance, dance…” during her journey to class.  This a complete transformation, for the little girl who wouldn’t join in. 

It is evident that by gently nurturing SEN children, giving them space to navigate their way in a new environment, showing them that it is OK to take their time, showing that they can trust their new teacher(s) & giving them a lot of praise, they will flourish & enjoy SEN dance & all the benefits that this art form has to offer – it is so much more than just ‘dance’. 




Sam D Case study For the Synergy SEND leadership and work experience programme 

_Sam is 25 and in his third and final year at the Orpheus Centre, a specialist further education college for young disabled people aged 18-25 who are passionate about the Arts._ 

_Sam is incredibly hard working and passionate about dance, he currently attends many classes after college and accesses online courses with professional dance companies. His aspiration for the future is to become a dance tutor and assist with workshops teaching young people to dance._ 

_Last year Sam was accepted onto Unexpected Leaders, a programme run by the performance company Diverse City. The programme is about bringing diversity on stage, behind the stage and leadership in the arts._ 

_In November Sam secured a placement to shadow dance workshops led by professional tutors from Synergy Dance. He was given the opportunity to experience three different workshops for children with and without disabilities aged from 5 to 18 years._ 



_Sam D Case study continued_ 

_Synergy Dance Outreach offered Sam the opportunity to observe a tutor, and the relationship with Ren was born. Initially Ren welcomed Sam in to observe classes and understand how Synergy works. Sam grasped every opportunity and Ren allowed him to “co-teach” a session. This was so successful that Ren took on mentoring Sam. With support he started to deliver small parts of the session and, with Ren’s guidance, choreographed and taught a dance to one of the classes._ 

_Sam has proved a hit with the students, who see him as a role model as well as just loving his teaching. He has taken all Ren’s advice on board and works hard to plan and deliver lessons. He has learned to incorporate warm-ups and cool-downs, to read his class and move at their pace, and to break steps down with key words to help everyone remember the_ 

_sequence._ 

_Sam’s confidence has soared, and he is seriously now looking at pursuing a career as a dance tutor. It is startling to see how far Sam has come in such a short time – the collaboration between Synergy and Orpheus has opened the door to an exciting potential career for Sam._ 

_Nina Holmes - Arts Development Coordinator - Orpheus Centre_ 

_Thank you for giving Sam this amazing opportunity to be mentored by Ren; he is absolutely living his dream to teach dance to children with and without disabilities._ 

_**Best wishes**_ **Denise Denne** 








Synergy impact from some SEND parents _Classes have given us the chance to meet other SEN parents. It would be great if siblings could also attend, and a SEN drama class would be fantastic._ Jane - parent 

_My daughter Audrey attends a SEND session on Saturday mornings. These sessions have been lovely. A chance to meet up with other SEND families – and also Audrey loves to dance in front of the full-length mirrors!_ 

_For us, a mix of freestyle, routines and kid-friendly fun and games is perfect because it doesn’t get boring and it’s something everyone can join in with. In her mainstream class Audrey copes with learning routines, but it’s nice for her to have something a bit more relaxed at these sessions._ 

_Audrey enjoys dance a lot. It’s nice that in these sessions, everyone is relaxed and it doesn’t feel strange or uncomfortable for kids to do their own thing, which is lovely._ Victoria - parent 

_Classes have impacted Ruby hugely. She is in mainstream school and really struggles, but she can be herself and has friends at Synergy. It is her happiest two hours in the whole week! We have noticed increased confidence and sense of self, better balance, cooperation and listening skills. Ruby used to do her own thing in class but now she follows what the teacher is doing. She is loving ballet and we hope it continues._ 

_Joanne - parent_ 





## Mary Ungoed-Thomas 

As a Trustee, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to see Synergy Dance Outreach thrive and grow as an exciting organisation that offers enjoyable and stimulating classes for adults and children of all ages and abilities. 

Synergy sessions change lives and refresh mind, body and spirit, bringing fun and flair to participants. This year the company has the impressive statistic of reaching 50 per cent more SEND schools. Testimonials praise the truly inclusive atmosphere and amazing opportunities offered to SEND children. They also highlight participants’ growth in confidence, happier relationships, improved sleep and better engagement with school work. 

Synergy is also giving people with SEND such as Sam the opportunity for work placements. Sam was mentored by Ren, learned to choreograph moves, and now has a great relationship with his students. He is passionate about dance, and wants to become a tutor. Based on the success of this arrangement, other SEND placements will follow. 

The company keeps going from strength to strength, and it is a delight to witness its development and well-deserved success. 



**Laura’s Volunteer Journey** 


Comments from mum: 

By the end of next Saturday she will have completed her 3 months of volunteering with you. It has been an amazing experience; we are really grateful to you for giving her the opportunity to enjoy using her dance to help others. 

Thank you for all your support with Laura’s volunteering – we think it’s fantastic to have this opportunity and I hope it was helpful for your teachers too. 

Laura excelled leading warm ups and inspiring the children to keep active. She was highly skilled at teaching dance moves to both children attending a Breakdance and Street class, and children with additional needs. She received a warm welcome into the class. 

Laura also coached and supported children including those with special needs (SEN) which ranged from autism, ADHD to Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. This involved both demonstrating dance moves at the front of the class and assisting with relaxation and props. 

Laura has been such a good volunteer that Synergy will continue to offer her opportunities to support classes. 

Laura achieved helping the main teacher to run a safe, effective and fulfilling class for both mainstream and SEND participants. She learned leadership and demonstration skills. She also learned warm up and dance skills, technique and how to pass this on to others who are learning. She also inspired the class members and helped to make the Synergy classes a happy and creative place. 

Laura is talented as a dancer and has shared her skills and enthusiasm with other children who are on their journey to learn dance. She has been highly praised by both Harry and Ren, who lead the classes. We are very grateful for her contribution and will continue to offer her opportunities to volunteer throughout the company. 






## **Partners and collaborations** 

Synergy Dance® Outreach is working with a wide range of partners to help us reach everyone who can benefit from inclusive activities. 

Our recent partners include Ashgrove Care Home, The Blue Youth and Community Centre - London, Bridge College - Manchester, The Clockhouse Community Centre - Godalming, Age UK, UK Active, Activity Alliance, Eastwood Leisure Centre - Sheerwater, Evendons Primary School - Wokingham, Children In Motion, Gosden House School - Guildford, Hedgewood School - Hayes, Holy Trinity Primary School - Gravesend, KEF Kids - London, Merrywood Education - Sandmartin & Tadworth Campus, Orpheus Centre - Godstone, Peacehaven Leisure Centre - Brighton/Hove, Phoenix Upper School - London, Portesbery School - Camberley, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School - Dagenham, Sense, St Joseph’s Specialist school - Cranleigh, YMCA East Surrey - Reigate, Summerlands care home and all the new SEND schools mentioned earlier in this report. 

Additional partners include Limbpower, British Blind Sport, Surrey Choices, Active Surrey, Active Essex, Active Sussex, Blind Aid, EMD UK, The Brian Charity, FND Hope UK, Yes I Can, WYCANN, Croydon Vision, Surrey Young Carers, Disability Challengers, The Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, The Bobath Centre, GAMMA, Save The Children, Linkable, Children’s homes, Disability Cube, Broadwater Lodge Care Home, Claremont Care Home, Signature Moorlands Care Home Surrey, The Matrix Trust, Guildford Spectrum, Action for Carers, Surrey Youth Games, Limb Power, Whizz Kids, Everyone Active, Places for People Leisure, Freedom Leisure, care homes,SEND schools and leisure centres. BBC Radio Surrey, RNIB Radio, Club Hub UK & many more organisations. 

As a charity we are keen to partner and collaborate with organisations both in the UK and globally, to reach as many children and young people as possible with our inclusive activities. 

## **Partners value our support too:** 

_“Your continued support during these ongoing and very uncertain times has positively changed so many Visually Impaired people’s lives. Your partnership and continued hard work have provided plenty of opportunities for the VI Community to get physically active and will do as we move into the new year. Secondly, I wanted to say how grateful and appreciative British Blind Sport are for all your hard work. I thoroughly look forward to continuing to develop our partnership”._ _**David Melville, British Blind Sport.**_ 



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## **Partners and collaborations** 

This year stands out as expanding our reach in supporting SEND schools, and new national partnerships which have enabled our inclusive activities to reach much wider audiences.. 

As a charity, we offer a fully inclusive health and wellbeing solution that supports & motivates new and existing people, who are typically inactive, to be more physically active. We are also helping to support a growing number of people with LTHC of all ages and support social prescribing referrals. 

We continued to support care homes, education and schools, leisure centres, Outreach centres, charities, trusts and local communities. 

We offer the OPPORTUNITY - To target inactive groups in supporting the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018 - 2030. 

_**An estimated 16 million people in the UK has a disabilitiy in 2021/22. This represents 24% of the total population. The prevalence or disability rises with age: around 11% of children were disabled, compared with 23% of working age adults and 45% of adults over State Pension age.**_ 

_**Nearly 1 in 5 have some form of disability.**_ 

**WELLBEING** - Our programmes target well-being and help less active groups to stay fit and healthy. 

**SOCIAL** - Support social inclusion and help diverse communities to belong in fitness. 

**DIVERSITY** – We are reaching diverse audiences with enrichment activities to boost wellbeing and diversity of choice for typically inactive groups. 



# _**Worldwide, 1 in 5 adults, and 4 out of 5 adolescents (1117 years), do not do enough physical activity. (WHO) Insufficient physical activity is associated with 1 in 6 deaths in the UK.**_ 

Our digital delivery and online courses give choice to our beneficiaries and partners. 

On demand workouts enable often disadvantaged groups to maintain regular routines and fitness, including dance/exercise routines and relaxation techniques. For people with visual impairments, special needs or disabilities this is really important – especially for those with autistic spectrumconditions who depend on structure and routine. 

We continue to ensure that people feel part of a community, participating in something together and having something positive to look forward to. We have managed to positively impact the lives of thoseless motivated to exercise and families struggling to find a suitable class. 





## _**Over 75% of our service users said they want to exercise but face barriers, with ‘lack of motivation’ being the single biggest challenge in starting and staying active.**_ 

The extended reach from our digital programmes means we can do more to motivate members in between any onsite activity, and to help maintain their exercise habit. 

At Synergy we are going through a total reimagination of the exercise journey and how we measure engagement. Beyond simple sign ups, we also look holistically at home workouts to accurately assess member engagement. We take action to enhance this and provide service users with a total wellness solution within the SEND community. We also encourage healthy lifestyles, diversity of choice and engage with partners to find out what they need most for their members. 



Many people with SEND, long-term health conditions or who are recovering from illness want to do some sort of exercise but need guidance and motivation, and so our classes are specifically tailored to meet these needs. Enrolment is super easy, and participants can stop/start their workouts and take part in exercise when it is convenient for them without the pressures of cost, travel and time out to attend an exercise programme. 

In 2017, 30% of children aged 2 to 15 Worldwide, 1 in 5 adults, and 4 out in England were overweight or of 5 adolescents (11-17 years), do obese and 65% of adults. not do enough physical activity. Many children and adults are not **Problems we** Girls, women, older adults, poorer people and people with disabilities getting their one hour of activity a day. **aim to solve** and chronic diseases, marginalised Our inclusive and colourful activities are getting kids moving as well as **with inclusive** populations and indigenous people have fewer opportunities to adults and seniors. **activities** be  active. 1 in 4 people experience a Physical inactivity is in the top 5 nonmental health problem in any communicable disease risk factors given year and in 2017: 1 in 8 for mortality in high income -12.8% of children and young countries. Source: WHO Global Action people aged 5 to 19 had at Plan on Physical Activity least one mental health 2018-2030. disorder. 

The flexibility of our online workouts and live delivery has enabled siblings and other family members to join in participants’ fitness routines. It’s important for families to have shared experiences and exercising as a family is even more fun! Participants grow their confidence and report less reliance on the teacher for instructions as they progress through their courses and as weekly classes become part of their routine. 

We’ve created super fun activities, using imagination – such as inviting children to bring their favourite toy or prop to their dance lesson. By using children’s props in themed routines, we are more interactive and help children to be a part of the experience and fully engaged. 





**By being inclusive: we are helping to address the rising problem of inactivity** 


_1 in 3 (34%) men are not active enough for good health._ 

_Almost 1 in 2 (42%) women are not active enough for good health._ 


_1 in 5 (21%) men are classed as physically inactive._ 


_1 in 4 (25%) women are classed as physically inactive._ 

44% 

_44% of disabled adults are physically inactive._ 


_Only 34% of men and 24% of women undertake musclestrengthening activities at least twice a week._ 







## **Insufficient physical activity is associated with:** 

- 1 in 6 deaths in the UK. 

- Up-to 40% of many long-term conditions, including preventable conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. 

- Around 30% of later life functional limitation and falls. 

Regular physical activity with Synergy Dance® provides a range of physical, mental health & social benefits, many of which are increasing issues for individuals, communities and society, reducing the risk of many long-term conditions. 

Our workouts are: 

- Building confidence 

- Helping to manage existing conditions. 

- Ensuring good musculoskeletal health. 

- Developing and maintaining physical and mental function and independence. 

- Supporting social inclusion. 

- Helping to maintain a healthy weight. 

- Reducing inequalities for people with long-term conditions. 







## **Positive changes from our delivery** 

- Doing physical activity is proven to relieve stress, improve mental health and boost the immune system. 

- Maintaining regular routines, including exercise routines and relaxation techniques, for those with VI/SEND is very important (especially those with autistic spectrum conditions). 

- Participating in these activities will enable people to maintain fitness, flexibility, motor skills, core strength and improve posture which is very important to those with visual impairments who often suffer from poor posture through stooping to see. 

- Relaxation, mindfulness and breathing techniques in sessions improve mental health and wellbeing, help build resilience and improve ability to cope with anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. 

- It will help support parents/carers at home trying to balance working from home with supporting special needs children/young people/adult children with SEND and find appropriate and safe activities for them to do. 

- It will enable siblings to join in with those with VI/SEND in their fitness routines. It will help improve mental health and wellbeing and aid better sleep. 

- It will enable fun activities using imagination whilst being home bound – our activities are innovative and invite our beneficiaries to use props in some sessions which can be used safely in themed routines. 

- It will help participants maintain and improve confidence during this stressful time. It will improve general wellbeing and reduce feelings of stress and frustration at being confined to home. Many children and young people with VI and SEND may want to repeatedly do our fun and calming routines really improving fitness and wellbeing. 

## **THANK YOU** 

In the last year the charity has received much needed support from Sport England, Barchester, EMD UK, Peter Harrison Foundation, Together Fund, Comic Relief, Children In Need, National Lottery Community Fund, Community Foundation for Sussex, Rix Thompson. 

The purpose driving us is to make a difference and reach as many people as possible who can benefit from our inclusive dance and yoga delivery. Thank you so much for supporting our much needed work. 



## **Yearly highlights! Our activity and partners…..** 

## **LinkAble** 

LinkAble in Woking supports disabled clients to live their best lives. Their classes for children and adults include sensory activities, day trips and performance opportunities. 

Synergy Dance® Outreach has provided the charity with all male Zumba classes for people with learning disabilities. Zumba employs Latin American music for an innovative, energetic workout that suits participants of all abilities. Those taking part increase strength and cardiovascular fitness and have fun! 

## “ _**Fridays are going well. Annabel is great with the group” - Linkable.**_ 

## **FND Hope UK** 

This charity is the world’s only patient-led organisation for people with Functional Neurological Disorder. They provide support, raise awareness and advance research into the disease. 

In tune with the charity’s goal of empowering individuals, Synergy Dance® Outreach supplies therapeutic online yoga and pilates classes for members. Flexible on demand classes suit clients at times of their choosing. Participants showed improved coordination and agility and benefited from health advantages including better balance and spatial awareness. 

_**“I wanted to send some feedback to you from a lady who attends the Pilates class. This person said hey started the classes at the same time as Physiotherapy. They found that as a result of the combined approach to their rehabilitation, they have been able to regain te ability to manage some personal care activities that were previously very challenging. They couldn’t have been more complimentary, The sessions have really become an integral part of this persons week. This is fantastic, and just what we are aiming for - FND Hope UK”**_ 

## **Broadwater Lodge Care Home** 

Broadwater Lodge is an award-winning care home for older people in Godalming. Most residents have dementia. They benefit from tailored therapies – the management believes that life is for living – and can tend the farm animals in the backyard! 

Seated yoga funded by the Together Fund, Sport England and EMD UK has been provided by Outreach teachers to enliven the residents and spice up their routine. Participants in these Synergy classes have demonstrated improved relaxation and cardio and respiratory health, as well as increased flexibility and muscle tone. 






## **Claremont Care Home** 

This establishment in Guildford offers residential, nursing and end of life care. Many residents have complex needs and staff endeavour to support a range of conditions. Birthdays and special occasions are celebrated in style! Synergy’s signature seated dance classes have recently wowed the residents at Claremont, bringing fun and improving participants’ agility. People with memory issues have responded positively to the engaging music and songs used in class. 

## **Signature Moorlands care home Surrey** 

Residents at this care home benefit from highly trained and dedicated staff: bespoke care plans are drawn up to support people’s wellbeing. Those at the home have recently benefited from Synergy’s signature seated yoga class, which tackles chronic health conditions and encourages flexibility and strength. Classes have been funded by the Together Fund, Sport England and EMD UK. We have also been running our Sing for Joy program in the Dementia suite for the last few years. 

## **Reigate and Redhill YMCA** 

Both help vulnerable children and adults to belong, contribute and thrive. The organisation fosters happy and healthy local communities. Synergy has been liaising with the YMCA to bring fun and accessible activities to their service users - our On Demand classes have been extremely popular. 

## **Guildford Spectrum** 

This large leisure centre offers swimming, ice skating, bowling and fitness classes and we have partnered with them for 8 years. Synergy has championed inclusivity and diversity through providing dance and yoga classes here for children with SEND. An exciting annual SEND festival for schools also takes place here where many local SEN children attend. Children are taught by specially trained instructors who ensure that nobody is left behind. 

## **BBC Children In Need/Strictly Come Dancing** 

Synergy was delighted to feature on these popular BBC programs, which took our reach to a national level. Filming in November and December 2021 spread the news about our mission and values, and the program featured many children and young people enjoying fun and innovative Synergy inclusive classes. 

## **Save the Children** 

This charity’s mission is to keep children safe, healthy and learning. They provide aid in war situations and in the event of natural disasters such as the recent Turkey earthquake. Synergy have provided the organisation with flexible online lessons, available on demand any time anywhere. 

## **British Blind Sport** 

This organisation campaigns for blind and visually impaired people to have the same opportunities in sport and recreation as those with sight. Synergy caters for this group’s needs and has supplied online yoga and Zoom workouts to the organisation ever since the Pandemic. The charity has benefited from Synergy’s flexible pre-recorded sessions which can be provided at the user’s convenience and have subtitles for other sensory impairments. 



## **Action for Carers** 

This Surrey-based organization helps carers with free information and provides advice and support groups. Synergy has supplied the charity with on demand dance and yoga sessions, providing catchy and uplifting music and movement for people of all abilities. 

## **Surrey Young Carers** 

Children from Year 1 upwards who support parents with an illness, disability or mental ill health are served by this organization. Synergy has provided Surrey Young Carers with exciting dance and yoga sessions that stimulate the senses and bring a sense of relaxation. Street dance was a particular hit! 

## **Active Surrey** 

Active Surrey helps people to be healthier and happier through promoting team sports and training. Synergy has supported their Surrey School Games, providing free activities for local schools. Participants challenge themselves when taking part in exciting, inclusive classes – and make friends. 

## **Bridge Youth and Community Centre** 

This organisation in Leatherhead engages with the local community and stages the Surrey Youth Games; Synergy has supplied free inclusive dance sessions which are suitable for all levels of ability. 

## **Whizz-Kidz** 

This organisation is the leading UK charity for young wheelchair users. As well as providing equipment, they also offer special activity and employability programs. For this ongoing partnership, Synergy has provided signature seated yoga and dance sessions which involve a full and fun workout from the waist up. 

## **Everyone Active** 

This organisation describes itself as the country’s number one activity destination. A large chain, it offers swimming, gyms and exercise classes in venues across the nation. Our on demand inclusive workouts have attained national reach through our fruitful collaboration with Everyone Active. 

## **Places for People Leisure** 

The chain encourages access to physical sport with nationwide facilities and a virtual studio. Our on demand inclusive workouts for the Places Leisure App have become available nationally. 

## **Freedom Leisure** 

Freedom Leisure operates over 100 leisure, cultural and entertainment venues throughout the UK. Synergy SEND holiday activities have been provided on site, enabling children with disabilities to enjoy keeping fit and make new friends. 

## **Walton on Thames community centres** 

These council venues aim to promote an active and full life for elderly or disabled residents. The site has hosted our SEND dance group in the school holidays, enabling children to relax and unwind with our fun and enjoyable activities. 



## **Woking Leisure Centre** 

Woking Leisure Centre aims to improve lives through leisure, providing inclusive and sustainable facilities that the whole community can enjoy. Synergy is proud to have provided SEND dance and movement classes for children and young people on site. 

## **Cube Disability Kids** 

Founded in January 2021, this is Northamptonshire’s first dedicated dance and sport school for SEN children and their siblings. Synergy recently partnered with the organisation to provide Musical Theatre/Holiday workshops and shares its mission to promote and satisfy the needs of the disability community. 




**Partnership case study: A Royal Event with Whizz Kids!** 

Whizz Kids invited us to guest instruct seated yoga classes for an event in Surrey, attended by Sophie, Countess of Wessex. We partner with Whizz Kids to offer seated yoga and dance for children and young people. 

We ran sessions for a small group in Godstone at their Surrey club session in the July. At the HRH event, we had around 11 young people in both groups we taught. 

Both our organisations joined forces in Surrey to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December in the presence of Her Royal Highness Sophie the Countess of Wessex. 

Thirty-five young people attended the teaching sessions in Godstone, accompanied by Whizz-Kidz staff, trustees and corporate partners. Sessions included Wheelchair Skills Training, Seated Yoga facilitated by Synergy Dance® Outreach, a drama workshop and an employability workshop. 

Synergy’s signature yoga classes are designed to relieve stress and tension for those with disabilities. The benefits of the discipline include improved confidence and concentration, better breath control and relaxation due to gentle stretching and meditation. Synergy is proud to offer seated classes on demand so customers can exercise anytime, anywhere. 

Her Royal Highness spoke to children in attendance including Charlie Oldfield-Bruton, 11, who suffers from a rare genetic syndrome. He was present to collect a new bespoke wheelchair and said, ‘It has power wheels so it will be much easier to get around in than my old wheelchair.’ Sophie Dearman, Whizz-Kidz’ volunteer officer, spoke about her determination to support other wheelchair users and their families. 

One participant commented: ‘The Countess was really knowledgeable about disability and the challenges our young people face and was very easy to speak to. I understand she does some yoga in her own time.’ 

Sarah Pugh, chief executive of Whizz-Kidz, commented that the organisation aims to make a difference for young wheelchair users. Their vision is a society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included. Synergy Dance® Outreach shares these objectives and offers support to those with a wide range of disabilities – with Synergy no one is left behind! 

This partnership and collaboration will continue in 2023. Would your organization benefit from Synergy Activities? 

Find out more: admin@synergydance.co.uk 



_**Feedback from the day: It went really well, thank you. The Countess was really knowledgeable about disability and the challenges our young people face and was very easy to speak to. I understand she does some yoga in her own time and joined in with Natalie’s session. Thank you so much for all your patience and cooperation with the organisation and to Natalie for running everything on the day. I know the young people really enjoyed the session!**_ 






## **Holiday Workshops - Guildford and Sussex** 

Thanks to much needed funding, this year we have expanded our SEND delivery in the school holidays to include Themed SEND dance workshops, Yoga and Wellbeing and Musical Theatre sessions. We have also delivered Yoga and Wellbeing and SEND Dance & Movement specialist after school classes at Guildford Spectrum. 

We had an especially good response to our SEND Christmas workshops – which was a treat for all concerned. 





The impact for the children who took part has been the continuation of activities outside school time – we were able to provide accessible out of school and holiday activity delivery for children & young people and the parents/carers enjoyed the experience too! We very much plan to continue to expand on this type of delivery. 

For SEND families the main reported outcomes were more confidence on the part of the CYP and the value of learning something new and inspiring - both to the children and the parents/carers. 

We also continued to offer Specialist SEND dance parties to celebrate special occasions. 

_**I just wanted to say thank you very much indeed for a fantastic party. Joe and his friends had an excellent time! He’s now chilling out and watching Beauty and the Beast (again!) - Steve - SEND Party parent**_ 







Parents in Surrey and those on our steering committee have shared that holiday activities for children with SEND are still much needed. Children benefited from the relaxed setting and opportunity to experience something new. Continuation in the holidays also enabled children to maintain regular routines, which is very important for those with additional needs. 

The extra workshops helped to relieve stress, improved their mental health on the day and meant the children and young people were engaged in activity. The workshops also helped to support working parents and for those that stayed on, it was a shared experience of seeing their children learn and shine. 

The children's mental health and physical activities were both enhanced, in a safe environment, that supported wellbeing. We practiced a new routine several times and then performed the routine at the end of the session. We also provided some SEND workshops in Walton On Thames – to support local children with SEN to come together and dance and these are now being taken into their local SEND school in 2024. 

Our activities were accessible, and not affected by finance and were open to all. Since our appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, we are being asked to support many more service users with a wide range of SEND and LT & LLCs in Surrey, but who have no/very limited budgets due to the challenges of their conditions. As a result of our recent feedback from parents on our steering committee, we went ahead with funded workshops on a Saturday morning. 





## **Annual Day of Dance at Guildford Spectrum** 

_Today was our annual SEND Dance Day at Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex. We were delighted to share a wonderful and inclusive routine with children from 10 SEND schools in Surrey: Carew Academy, Link Secondary, Bensham Manor school, Cornfield School, Portesbury School, Strathmore School, Abbey School, Freemantles, Woodfield School & Linden Bridge._ 

_Not only did it make a huge difference to the children to celebrate the power of dance - it impacted our teachers too!_ 

## **Here is what Rebekah had to say:** 

"Today @synergydanceoutreach put on a special education needs day of dance. What a fantastic day to be a part of. 10 schools arrived, and we all learnt a choreographed dance piece to the song 'shine bright like a diamond.' 100s of children enjoying the day and dancing with smiles on their faces. Home for lunch before heading out to teach Yoga classes in another school. I love what I do". 




We would like to pay tribute to our awesome and dedicated team who help us every day to make a difference. 

Thank you to all the schools who took part, our wonderful Synergy teachers and special thanks to Abigail, for her choreography and creative talents in helping us to create a memorable, fun and inclusive experience for the children. 

For yoga, dance, SEN events reach out to @synergydanceoutreach for more info or email admin@synergydanceoutreach.co.uk. 

## **Surrey Youth Games** 

Once again, we attended the Surrey Youth Games supporting inclusive dance, and were encouraged to perform in front of parents for a day of dance at Surrey Sports Park 




_**I can honestly say I was smiling all day. As a teacher, it was so wonderful to see all these children being excited and enjoying themselves. You can see how hard they have worked as a team.**_ 

_**The icing on the cake for me was seeing a girl I taught last year for this event. She and her family enjoyed it so much they returned this year to try out some other events and take part in the day. Such a valuable experience for everyone involved.**_ 


_**Abigail Young - Instructor & Team Coordinator**_ 



## **Measuring success and impact** 

We measure the project impact success on our target groups by conducting effective monitoring and evaluation throughout our projects. How we do this depends on whether delivery is in person or online. 

During the last year the number of SEND schools we supply has doubled and we have expanded delivery throughout the UK. Our digital inclusive services have also continued to expand. The charity has also been successful in recruiting more volunteers and provided opportunities for young people with SEND to gain work experience and new paid work opportunities. 

We measure success by impact, success stories, surveys, case studies & testimonials. Both onsite & on demand classes in the last year significantly improved both physical, mental health and wellbeing for children. 67% of respondents reported an improved fitness level and 92% want to continue. We conduct monitoring and evaluation throughout service delivery. **See: Synergydance- online.teachable.com/p/testimonials** 

For classes delivered online via our online platform, there are options to “opt in” for feedback on the platform, making this easy to do. The platform’s software also records all enrolments and any enquiries/expressions of interest in any programme. We always work to ensure all participants have as positive and inclusive an experience as possible. We are mindful of data privacy regulations and take all appropriate steps in connection with this and the portal ensures GDPR compliance with an immediate option on enrolment to opt in for email contact only if they wish to. We also endeavour to source feedback on barriers and concerns with participating (from participants and/or parents/carers as appropriate) in activities including: 

Self-confidence and goals for participating. 

- Previous and current activity and experience of dance and exercise classes if any. Fitness levels, motor skills and posture, spatial awareness, balance, and coordination. Additional needs and support required whilst participating. 

- Hopes of what participating will help achieve and future aspirations. Parents and carers observations of impact and outcomes for participants. 

- Parents and carers observations of the impact participation has had on their own feelings and confidence in the participants skills and abilities. 

- Next steps – showing whether participants have gone on to try other activities, volunteering and some have even become paid assistants with us or progressed to finding an agent and doing professional performance work. 

- We are licensed to use the Outcomes Star tool to map progress, impact and outcomes for individuals and always prepare some case studies for participants who want to participate in feedback in this way. 

- We always ask participants what they want to achieve and encourage them to set their own goals and to do their own self-evaluation e.g. diary keeping to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights and we monitor and evaluate continuous improvement in the interests of maximising project viability in consultation with our partners. 





   - We prepare social accounting reports showing impact, return on investment, and value for money and savings to the public purse in addition to showing numbers enrolled for the programmes. Funders are then able to see for themselves the impact their funding has had on our beneficiaries. 

   - You can see from our regularly reported impacts in this report that participating in our services has avery positive impact on our service users. Often the impact can be life changing, not just for the participants themselves but their families, and even our teachers. For example, many service users have autistic spectrum conditions and our impact can make a huge difference to parents and siblings as children and young people improve levels of communication, are calmer, some children who have been non-verbal have begun to speak, and others who have needed two-to-one care have begun to only need one-to one-care. 

   - Families are overwhelmed with gratitude seeing their loved ones not only do things they never thought they could do but to see them thrive. Many who have been incredibly isolated make friends and start to look forward to life having something where they feel they belong and are valued and celebrated for who they are. 

- The most reported changes we are told about by our beneficiaries are: 

   - Improved mental wellbeing, reduced anxiety and reduced feelings of stress and frustration, improved confidence and resilience, improved ability to cope with stress and the challenges of their condition. 

   - Improved physical wellbeing through improved core strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, agility, stamina, posture and physical strength. 

   - Improved emotional wellbeing and resilience through building new friendships and networks with peers who understand the challenges of their conditions and shared experience leading to supportive peer networks where they can plan activities together in the future enabling more positive outlooks and hope for the future. 

   - Being empowered through learning new skills and techniques leading to improved confidence to try new things. 

   - Respite for parents/carers supporting those with disabilities, long term health conditions or injuries. 

   - Inspiration and enjoyment of life through creative expression and improved independence. New Outreach division for the whole of Essex – Franchise Pilot for National expansion. 





## **The future** 

It is vital that we continue to provide activities to enable our beneficiaries to exercise, relax and keep fit safely at home and for on site. Our online programmes have proved particularly accessible for the audiences we serve. 

Our key objective is to continue to create innovative ways for our service users to keep fit and be included. We want to improve the community’s mental health, wellbeing, and physical fitness; teach essential skills; and make everyone feel positively empowered. 

As a team we have deep knowledge and expert know-how in delivery of inclusive dance and fitness the goal is to ensure we train our instructors to the highest standards to be able to support clients in the most sensitive and appropriate way to meet their individual needs. Also, because much of our inclusive work is delivered through our charity, we have important information on positive impacts and outcomes of delivery for different types of conditions and additional needs of clients. This is also important in the training of instructors so they fully understand this. 

When working with people with SEND sometimes something small may actually be a major breakthrough e.g. someone with autism being able to hold eye contact for a few extra seconds. 

Attending regular dance, yoga and exercise classes helps people to maintain a sense of routine and purpose and provides feelings of mastery, wellbeing and achievement. This is also mirrored on a National basis. We are expanding throughout the UK and our fast-growing, innovative charity is coming soon to venues near you! Global reach is also coming soon as we expand our services with new partners tba. 

We continually look for new ways to enable those with SEND to become more active, and regularly canvass our customers to discover what they want and need the most. 

For more information, or to partner with us, or become a sponsor, contact: admin@synergydance.co.uk 

Thank you to everyone who has supported and worked with us to champion inclusion and diversity! 





Synergy Dance® & Synergy Dance Outreach Testimonials and Reviews 

www.synergydance.co.uk   |   www.synergydanceoutreach.co.uk 



I've been doing some of the Visually Impaired Synergy Dance Outreach Yoga & Dance classes through British Blind Sport and my 8-year-old has been joining in too - would definitely recommend them as really accessible, fun sessions! 

- Kathryn @MadeWithMusic1 

I love doing Yoga with Gill. It is so nice to be able to do a club that is welcoming and accessible to me. It always calms me down at the end of a long school day. It has also helped with balance and flexibility and I've noticed this has helped me in everyday activities and also with adaptive rowing I like to do. Gill is really good as explaining what to do verbally and is nice and friendly. She thinks of ways to adapt exercises if I find them a bit difficult or am a bit too wobbly. 


- Rowan 


My daughter Gracie suffers from ASD and often has meltdowns when or frustrated. Your SEND Yoga classes have added structure to her evenings and given her a sense of calm before bed. I look forward to seeing what other classes you offer soon. I would be keen to see SEND dance for children. 

- Sophia Scott 



Instead of physically lashing out and becoming verbally aggressive, T has learnt to ask for space (sometimes by holding his sign), walk away and implement relaxation techniques to regulate emotional outbursts. He has also been able to identify and recognise potential triggers and communicate these as a prevention. As teachers we are able to be support this, enabling a smoother running environment in the classroom for T and his classmates 

- T's Teacher 

I have a Visual Impairment and a friend recommended Synergy to me as they have free online audio classes. The content is amazing and I am really enjoying it too. Thank you for offering this it's very hard for us to find things to do to stay active especially in lock down. 

- Claudia Abrea-Oldaker 

E has grown in confidence and has seemed to come into her own since beginning sessions and it seems she has made some valuable relationships. Bullying had made her withdrawn and very nervous. Since beginning the group we have seen her become more relaxed and able to tolerate group environments. Engagement in school seems to have improved and we are all able to enjoy moving to music at home! 

- E's Mum 



The dancing has been great for our children, including B who has autism. In a period of 8 weeks B has had time to express himself and communicate with other children in a creative medium - which has meant that we have seen some interacting with others that would never hapen during verbal exchange! B has been anle to develop a sense of empathy and form an awareness of others on a deeper level than before. We have seen B's confidence grow, friendships form and it has been a supportive space to share difficult experiences too. It was great that no dance experience was needed and the teacher was able to provide ways of moving. If this was unaffordable or new to begin with - props where great! 

- B's mum 

I spoke to another mum today who said her 14-yearold daughter loved it, although it's quite weird for all of us doing classes on our own in our bedrooms/dining rooms! 

- Sarah Black 

One family with two children aged 9 and 6 (a younger sibling joined in a lot of the session), emailed the same evening and said: Thanks so much for the yoga session, so relaxing and very much enjoyed. Thanks again. 

- Sarah Black 



Cristina was absolutely lovely. She came on early and we chatted about the group. From a practical point of view, her video and sound were great. She was very clear in what she was asking us to do, which is just as well because you can't always see! She pitched her language and 'stories' as the right level I.E. space flight as opposed to teddy bears etc and really engaged nicely with the children. Commenting on their moves and the things she could see around them. I think everyone felt very comfortable with her, but equally challenged by the things she asked of us. I certainly had a great time. 

## - Partner 

Working with Synergy Dance® has provided an opportunity for creative expression for our children and young people during this lockdown period and introduced them to different genres of dance that they may not have practiced in school. The staff are professional, fun, friendly and patient. Attributes well suited to working with vulnerable students. 

- Croydon Vision 


I am a carer and I have been doing the Senior ParaStars Yoga with some of my clients and they are loving it adding some exercise and fun to their days on my daily visits it's nice to see them smiling and moving around. 

- Deborah StJohn 



Your continued support during these ongoing and uncertain times has positively changed so many Visually Impaired people's lives. Your partnership and continued hard work has provided plenty of opportunities for the VI community to get physically active and will so as we move into the New Year. Secondly, I wanted to say how grateful and appreciative British Blind Sport are for all your hard work.  I thoroughly look forward to continuing to develop out partnership together. 

- David Melville - British Blind Sport 

Thank you so much for this opportunity, Imaan had the best time, she's already told all her friends that she's now famous! And thank you to allthe wonderful dedicated dance teachers at Synergy, our kids truly have lots of love for all of you, and we appreciate what you do. 

-Hooda 

Kathryn, I just wanted to say a great big thank you to you and Synergy Dance for inviting Sam to take part in this amazing opportunity. Despite being a little unsettled during rehearsals, he gave it his all on the day and was so excited and proud to have been part of it all. He misses out on so many 

opportunities/parties/events due to his challenges so to be part of this has meant so much to him and to us. 

- Justine 



Thank you so much for allowing Zoe to be a part ofthe most incredible day!  A dream come true for sure! 

- Sarah 

Dear Kathryn, thank you for organising this event and spending time to dance with and make friends with Lucy - she's convinced your coming round for her birthday Pizza and hasn't stopped talking about you. Lucy had a fantastic time and is still sleeping in her Pudsey ears. Thank you again, it will be with her a lifetime. 

- Heather 

My daughter love’s synergy dance! She enjoys weekly lessons with Lizzie and has so much fun! I would definitely recommend Synergy to anyone looking for dance activities for children. 

- Kelly 



My daughter is really enjoying the class alot on Saturday. The teacher makes it fun and works hard to include everyone in the class with all the varying needs and wants! 

- Nicola 

My daughter recently started the Acro Hip Hop class and loves it. She says it’s her favourite thing of the week. It’s a lovely inclusive environment with a kind teacher who handles the kids with confidence and ease. 

- Lucy 

My daughter and her 2 friends have been attending since Sept last year and they absolutely love the session. Annie the dance teacher is friendly and encouraging, the kids talk about her all the time! Would love to be able to see an end of term routine of some sort as due to restrictions last year we were unable to. Definitely recommend this class x 

- Clare 



What a brilliant Dance school, that's what I call inclusion! Fantastic attitude towards ALL students..... Fab-U-Lou's! 

-Cee Johnson 

What an amazing thing to do for these youngsters. Huge admiration to Synergy and good to know our contributions really do make a difference. 

- Susan Stocker 

We want to have you involved doing some sessions the next academic year because we have heard many positive things about what you do! 

- Borja Vidal - Linden Bridge 



My son M adores his sessions with Vicky at Dysart. Will forward you a video of him having an independent boogie 2 nights ago. He's never been able to focus long enough to follow a routine on his own! 

Larisa Strickland - Parent 

After seeing this clip on Sunday my 5 year old (who loves dancing) has decided to cycle 10 miles next week in order to raise money to "help children to learn to dance". Even she can see how amazing these classes are. 

-Lisa Matthew's 

We just had our first dance session and it was brilliant!! 

-Nina Holmes - Gosden House School 




## **Alex Merrifield - Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust** 

I would just like to say how brilliant Lauren was. She dealt with the whole class of boys so well that they named her “lovely Lauren” and 90% of them asked if they could keep her as the teacher. 

## **Dawn - Party Parent** 

Just wanted to say thanks to Abi and Rose for a wonderful party yesterday. The kids had a super time! 

## **Deborah - Summerlands Care Home** 

Feedback has been really positive - the residents had a lovely session with Vicky and they thought she was wonderful. They are looking forward to seeing her again. We have a couple of residents who don't normally join activities but I noticed they were in the lounge singing along. We all thought the choice of music was great as well 

## **Claire Gregory - Parent** 

My daughter LOVES this class with Sam. It's fun and full of energy. Would highly recommend! 





## **Lisa - Parent** 

I went to one of the Disney Frozen workshops this Easter and my daughter was really nervous as it was such a large age difference. At first she didn't settle and I was going to leave but Katherine who was doing your photographs made her feel welcome and was encouraging her to join in. When she did she kept looking back at your photographer for reassurance and by the end loved every minute. Thank you to your staff member for putting me at ease. Great event and I will definitely bring her back. Would have loved for the photographer to be more involved in the games and dance as she was really good with the kids. 

## **Alicia - Parent** 

My daughter and her friend loved the Frozen Winter Wonderland! My daughter has been talking about it since so excitedly, especially the ‘snow’ bubbles at the end! Both have asked if they can go again. I would have loved it to be a bit longer, but only because they were enjoying it so much! I still think it was great value for money, and the staff were lovely! 

## **Rachel - Parent** 

Oscar has really enjoyed it and from the first to the last class he has developed loads. Thank you for providing the opportunity. 




## **Charlotte - The Clockhouse** 

What a midweek treat here in the 10-3 Club at The Clockhouse. We had so much fun this morning thanks to Tilly from Synergy Dance Outreach who will be joining us for the next 8 weeks! 

## **Teacher - Evendons Primary School** 

Tilly is a hit!!!!!!! Totally the right personality. E's absolute favourite part was what she called ‘the relaxation part’. E showed me some of the stretches and said it made her feel very calm so also maybe a longer stretch/ breathing / cool down too. I’m so happy she really enjoyed it and said she can’t wait for her next session with Tilly. 

## **Charlotte - The Clockhouse** 

The sessions have had an amazing impact, our customers and staff really look forward to them. The sessions create a lot of fun, laughter and generally improve the sense of wellbeing within the group, they are truly an amazing opportunity enabling people to try something that is usually inaccessible to them. 

## **Parent** 

So happy we found the wonderful people at Synergy Dance Ltd - they - along with the lovely teacher Harry and assistant Rose - welcomed I. with open arms into their hiphop class - I. loves the freedom of this style of dance - it's so much better for her than the stuffiness of Ballet lessons. This Dance company have quietly made sure I. is fully integrated and involved in the class. They don't make a fuss, they don't exclude here and it shows in all of the kids who attend the class. They accept her wholeheartedly too because that's the behaviour being modelled by the adults in the room. 




## **Parent of a Student Volunteer** 

By the end of next Saturday she will have completed her 3 months of volunteering with you. It has been an amazing experience; we are really grateful to you for giving her the opportunity to enjoy using her dance to help others. Thank you for all your support with Laura’s volunteering – we think it’s fantastic to have this opportunity and I hope it was helpful for your teachers too. 

## **Farran Leach  - Active Surrey** 

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for providing us with Lecia to deliver yesterday’s class at our Ladies Celebration Day Event – when I popped my head in to the class it looked like everyone was having a great time and Laura and I hope that Lecia enjoyed delivering her session as much as we enjoyed having her there! 

## **KEF Kids** 

Synergy Dance delivered a very successful workshop to a group of children with physical and learning disabilities at our charity's summer residential respite scheme in Alton. Highly recommended and we look forward to working together in the future! 

## **Teacher - Evendon School** 

E really liked your use of all props, different games, the makaton and your focus on regulation and sensory involvement. I can really see the way you do your sessions to meet E’s SEN needs is very beneficial for her 




## **Ariella - KEF Kids** 

I have been meaning to write to you for a while but have only gotten round to it now. I just wanted to thank you & Abigail for such a fantastic session last month. The group really enjoyed themselves and we received such lovely feedback from the volunteers involved. We look forward to being in touch with you when we are in the area again next summer. 

## **St Joseph’s Trust** 

Synergy Dance Outreach visited us for our arts week, leading a wonderful workshop teaching our young people movement on the theme of friendship! Our students had a wonderful time and really got stuck in! 

## **Sarah - Parent** 

Just wanted to send you a picture of Sophie who had a Halloween party with her friends this weekend and she showed them all how to do 2 dance routines that Ren has taught her. They all played lots of spooky games and had some lovely treats (no tricks!). Happy Halloween to you all. 

## **Steve - Party Parent** 

Just wanted to say thank you very much indeed for a fantastic party. Joe and his friends had an excellent time! He’s now chilling out watching Beauty and the Beast (again!) 




## **Sarah - Bridge College** 

The yoga sessions with Julie are going amazing, the progress we've seen with the students so far is just incredible! 

## **Nina - Orpheus Centre** 

Saturday was fantastic, Sam really enjoyed meeting the team and the students. Ren was excellent with Sam and gave him opportunities to help during the session, please thank her for me, we were only meant to be watching, but Sam was keen to help!! 

## **Claire - Surrey Young Carers** 

My team have said how brilliant you all are and I’m really looking forward to meeting you! 

## **Action for Carers** 

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for Tuesday evening. They had a great time and you were amazing at keeping them engaged and making sure they were having fun, so thank you 




## **Katie G - Instructor** 

"I would like to share X's progress. Child O is an 8 year old boy who has severe ADHD as well as being an amputee. 

On the first day of class this child really struggled with the breathing and meditation exercises and he needed a lot of fun games throughout the class to keep him motivated. Although it may have not been the most technically challenging class, he left with a smile on his face and told me ‘it was the best class ever.’ 

That one sentence set me up for a wonderfully positive day and is one of the main reasons I love working with Synergy. To be able to engage with and help vulnerable children find pleasure in movement is an absolute privilege and something I will never take for granted. 

Since our first class together child O has improved greatly, every week he gets stronger and stronger at his breathing and meditation and I can really see that these things are starting to help his concentration, which will hopefully help him in other areas of his daily life and continue to build his confidence and well being". 



## **Ren - Instructor** 

"I want to tell you about L. 


L. is the youngest in the class and he was a bit nervous about coming and about joining in. If I ever asked him to do something on his own, he would say no. Eventually he found more confidence, if I paired up with him - so for our circle game for example- we both went into the circle to show some dance moves together. 

His parents stay in the class, and in the early days he would constantly look over to them for reassurance. 

Fast forward to quite a few weeks - and he has grown in such confidence - I will ask him to do something on his own and he is more than happy to do it and he will request things - such as dance routines. At the moment we are doing musical theatre, theme, Greatest Showman, and it happens to be one of his favourites. L. stands at the front, not only dancing but singing his heart out to the song, which is so lovely to see. And that takes confidence - it's one thing dancing and moving to the front, but it is another thing to sing as well. 

He did actually request another song - from the show - FROM NOW ON - and I said yes, I will choreograph a routine for you. For him to be brave enough to ask a teacher is a big step forward too. He started off very nervous, pretty shy, needing reassurance from mum and dad, and now he is joining in without absolutely everything he has to give. He is an absolute trooper and I can see his parents are really proud of him as well. 

So it's done him the world of good - and of course he is dancing, moving around, keeping fit. He does do the class really well and it's lovely to see him grow in confidence and also the other children, are really encouraging as well, as he is the youngest in the group. 




A Royal Event - with Whizz Kids 

It went really well, thank you. The Countess was really knowledgeable about disability and the challenges our young people face and was very easy to speak to. I understand she does some yoga in her own time and joined in with Natalie’s session. 

Thank you so much for all your patience and cooperation with the organisation and to Natalie for running everything on the day. I know the young people really enjoyed the session! 




## George's Story 


I just wanted to feedback to you, that George has had a pretty tough time of it since the beginning of the pandemic. I’ve had to work more than usual (I’m a paramedic so no working at home for me!) which meant he was able to attend school during the period of homeschooling, however it was all different for him as they offered places as ‘childcare’ rather than a typical school day. Then as he returned full time he was kept back a year whilst his friends and regular teacher moved up, so he had more change to contend with. 

Covid also hasn’t been kind to our family, and we have lost many family members over the last two years. We are a small, but close family, and the absences are greatly noticed. 

On top of this George has had two operations at Great Ormond Street - he was really brave! 

As George is non-verbal, I’ve not really been able to talk to him about how he is feeling, or talk him through difficult situations, and last year he really struggled with anxiety. This affected his ability to attend - and then stay in school, and then began to affect him at home too. He didn’t really want to go out of a weekend, and wanted to stay home for fear if he went out, he’d be taken to school. 

It was so sad to see, as George has always been such a happy, cheerful little boy, known by all for his huge smile and infectious giggle! 

I had been searching for a support group or therapy for him - well, actually searching for anything that might help him work through his anxiety! But there is little to nothing out there for children with special needs. I then found you, through watching Strictly Come Dancing. 

Since starting his dance classes I, and school have seen a huge change in George. George has only been attending for a couple of months, but has grown hugely in confidence and made huge personal developments in his understanding and language. He is so keen to copy his teacher, firstly watching her perform the dance move, then trying to copy, and has even started to develop some language, copying her as she tells him what the dance move is called, Amazing! George has actually been looking forward to going to school, to show staff and his peers the move he’s learned - before Christmas we couldn’t even get him through the door! His cheeky little laugh and smile has returned, and I’m so thrilled to see ‘the old George’ returning. So thank you so much, for such a wonderful, inclusive, fun group! 

- Hannah 




Find out about our Strictly Come Dancing journey Below! 

Watch us on Strictly Come Dancing - https://vimeo.com/664702396/cb84ea306f 

Watch us on Children in Need  - - https://youtu.be/_SKl eRKhy8 

Watch our Dancers have their say on the Strictly Come Dancing Final  - https://youtu.be/uE5Dxc0YBCA 

Rachael Hurton, talks Strictly Come Dancing on BBC Radio Surrey  - https://synergydanceoutreach.co.uk/2021/12/20/strictly-come-dancing-2021/ 





## KEF Kids, London 

KEF Kids is a charity supporting the lives of children and young adults with physical and learning disabilities and their families. Participants encounter friendships, fun and opportunities while respite is on offer for parents and families. This year Synergy Dance Outreach provided enrichment workshops during the school holidays. 

KEF Kids provides respite for children and young adults with physical and learning disabilities. We supported activities for a residential respite scheme at Treloar’s College in Alton, Hampshire. We worked with children with profound and multiple learning disabilities and had a wonderful time. 

## Feedback - 

_‘I just wanted to thank you & Abigail for such a fantastic session last month. The group really enjoyed themselves and we received such lovely feedback from the volunteers involved. We look forward to being in touch with you when we are in the area again next summer.’ Ariella - Programme Administrator_ 

_‘Synergy Dance delivered a very successful workshop to a group of children with physical and learning disabilities at our charity's summer residential respite scheme in Alton. Highly recommended and we look forward to working together in the future!’_ 




## LimbPower 

Synergy Dance® Outreach worked with LimbPower to deliver a Yoga programme specifically designed for those with limb loss/loss of or limited use of limbs, where adults, children and young people affected by this can come together to relax, have fun and learn a skill. 

This was a 12-week inclusive programme and the sessions where held at the QEP Centre in Guildford - an accessible venue with great local links. 

LimbPower support amputees, individuals with limb difference and their families to bridge the gap between hospital rehabilitation and community and school engagement to rebuild lives and improve physical, social and mental well-being. 

## One of our parents, Rachel Manton said: 

_O has really enjoyed it and from the first to the last class he has developed loads! Thank you providing the opportunity._ 




## Sport England - Funded Dance and Yoga Classes in Sussex 

As a result of the generous funding received by Sport England, we where able to fulfil repeated requests to run inclusive SEND Dance & Yoga classes in Sussex for children and teenagers at weekends. 

After several days of research and liaising with customers and conducting questionnaires we decided that the two chosen venues should be Southwick Leisure Centre and Peacehaven Leisure Centre. The two centres offer free parking, accessibility and great local transport links. The centres where also within easy reach of all of the customers that have reached out to us since our filming with Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. 

We ran four sessions, two dance classes at Southwick Leisure Centre one for children, which sold out within 2-days of going live and one for teenagers. At Peacehaven we ran two Yoga sessions one for children and one for teenagers. 

## About the classes: 

## Dance 

This class is specially designed for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our inspiring teacher will help your child to keep fit and learn dance moves in a fun, dance and fitness class with props. Options to learn cheerleading/street dance/dance fitness and other styles too. The pace is flexible and parents/carers are warmly invited to attend. The class includes dance, resistance, stretching, toning, strength and cardio work, increasing energy levels, muscle tone and strength, endurance, flexibility and motor skills. 

Benefits include improved fitness and stamina, decreased stress, improved balance, spatial awareness and coordination, improved posture, new friendships and networks, the chance to exercise as a family, improved confidence, well-being, increased independence and quality of life. 



Sport England - Funded Dance and Yoga Classes in Sussex Continued 

## Yoga 

Are you looking for a class to help your child relax and de-stress? This uplifting yoga class is specially designed for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our inspiring teacher will help your child to relax and unwind in our fun introduction to Yoga and Mindfulness. An excellent way to relieve stress, recharge and learn new skills. Synergy yoga classes are fun and children will build core stability, resistance and toning, improving posture and well-being. 

The pace is flexible and parents/carers are warmly invited to attend. The class includes stretching, toning, strength building, relaxation and improves, endurance, flexibility and motor skills. 

Benefits include improved fitness and stamina, decreased stress, improved balance, spatial awareness and coordination, improved posture, new friendships and networks, the chance to exercise as a family, improved confidence, well-being, increased independence and quality of life. 

## Class Schedule: 

We ran our classes on Saturday mornings, which appeared to be the preferred timings for parents due to school, traffic and local transport links. The classes ran on Saturday's during term time and where supplemented with inclusive Family Yoga and Musical Theatre workshops during the school holidays - which, where also a huge hit! Especially the family yoga session. 

Making connections and linking with local charities in the area: Due to being primarily based in Guildford, and only having run mainstream sessions in Sussex in the past we reached out to local Sussex based charities to help us spread the word about our new classes and ensure we reached everyone who could potentially benefit from what we where offering. 







## Sport England - Funded Dance and Yoga Classes in Sussex Continued 

We contacted all of the charities below, and had such a wonderful and warm response. 

- Amaze Sussex T21 Friends 

- Holding Space East Sussex ImPACT/EHCP Experiences 

- Triple P ISEND Sibs Amaze Futures mASCot 

- Brighton & Hove Inclusion Support Services Cherish 

- Dads Groups (dads who care for children with SEND) Heart Venture 

Brighton Hove and West Sussex Deaf Children Society 

## Some of our responses: 

We would love to have some flyers to share with families. We are happy to accept digital copies that can be shared within our hubs. 

Many thanks, 

Tanya Macdonald - Family Hubs 

Thank you for your email. This is fantastic news ! There is always room for more accessible events and classes in the area it is of course something we can support you with spreading the word about. Please send us a flyer or more information we can share with our members. 

Justine (chair) & Committee - Brighton Hove and West Sussex Deaf Children Society 

Thanks so much for your email and I’m thrilled to read about your inclusive dance and yoga classes, particularly as you’ll be running them at such an affordable price. 

Marie Baker - Amaze Sussex 

Thanks so much for sending this all through. This sounds like a great opportunity for residents of East Sussex. Our main Amaze page has shared on social media today and we have scheduled a post for the Compass Card social media tomorrow. 

Good luck with the classes, Zoe Brinkworth - Amaze Sussex Compass Card 



What the parents say: 

These sessions have been lovely. A chance to meet up with other SEND families and also A loves to dance in front of the full length mirrors! For us, a mix of freestyle, routines and kid-friendly fun/games is perfect because it doesn’t get boring and it’s something everyone can join in with. In her mainstream class she’s copes with learning routines, but it’s nice for her to have something a bit more relaxed at these sessions. 

Victoria - parent 

We loved the yoga workshop. My kids had so much fun. There were yoga poses, movement dance and lots of imagining magical words and tools. My kids have been talking happily about the workshop and are really happy to have the stones they painted as a memento. My husband and I also enjoyed doing partner yoga together! 

Rhian - parent 

More SEND Dance & Musical Theatre, and yoga classes for children and teens are launching soon, for after school weekly delivery, for another Sussex project.