Our People - Histories and Heroes

About Magpie Dance

Magpie Dance is the UK’s leading dance charity for people with learning disabilities. Through dance, participants gain life, social and communication skills with added health and wellbeing benefits. Find our more about our dance sessions, holiday schools and workshops for dancers with learning disabilities aged 3+ on www.magpiedance.org.uk

Our People

This year, Magpie Dance celebrates 40 years, and what better way to celebrate, than looking at ‘Our People’, a project that explores how society has changed over time and how we treat one another, as well as reflecting on Magpie Dance’s history, achievements and the people that have made it the success it is.

Our Histories

In 1985, local dance teacher Avril Hitman, began Astley Dance Group; a 45-minute weekly dance class for 10 adults with learning disabilities - these classes were held in the canteen of a social service day centre called Astley in Magpie Hall Lane. Today, with its new name, Magpie Dance is a company of over 165 people. Dancers, facilitators, musicians, volunteers, admin staff and trustees - supported by parents, carers, friends and families who continue to work together to empower people of all ages with learning disabilities, ensuring a learning disability is no barrier to personal and artistic success in dance.​

Join Magpie dancers as they explore social history, discover how life was for people in the past, how things are now, and what needs to change in the future to ensure every person is valued and appreciated for who they are.

Our Heroes

Celebrating actors, swimmers, artists, politicians, human rights activists, models, TV presenters, dancers and many more, Magpie dancers discover people achieving great things who just happen to have a learning disability.

Come along to the Our People festival to watch a live performance, observe or participate in workshops led by Magpie dancers and explore the interactive exhibition to learn more about the things this remarkable company has achieved over the last four decades.

Join us and be part of it!

Tickets: £10 each or 4 tickets for £35