Inclusive dance for happiness and health
Flamingo Chicks is a multi-award-winning charity and inclusive community that gives disabled children and children with long-term health conditions like cancer the chance to explore movement through dance. What started as a small community group in 2013 has grown into a national movement championing inclusion. So far, 47,778 children have danced with us!
Project Overview
Disabled children face significant barriers to being active, with 41% remaining inactive and obesity rates 38% higher than their peers. They also face a loneliness epidemic, with45% regularly feeling lonely.
Flamingo Chicks is changing this. Dance is more than movement—it’s a powerful tool for social connection, confidence, and wellbeing.
🦩 81% of children see improved physical wellbeing
🦩 88% gain confidence and resilience
🦩 88% of schools saw anincrease in emotional wellbeing (23% increase on last year)
🦩78% of professionals felt they had learnt new techniques from us, with 95% going on to implement them in their own practice
How We’re Making a Difference
In 2024, we broke new ground:
🦩 We took over 10 Downing Street, Heathrow Airport, the Science Museum, and the Eden Project, advocating for inclusion in iconic spaces.
🦩 12,455 children joined our inclusive dance sessions, bringing our total to 47,778 Flamingo Chicks!
🦩 Nearly 10,000 children participated in our on-demand virtual class, featuring Olympians and Paralympians.
🦩 88% of Flamingo Chicks felt pride as performers, and 81% saw improved physical wellbeing.
🦩 We launched Sparkle Squads, adding costumes, giant props, and new sensory experiences to classes.
What’s Next?
We’re keeping up the momentum in 2025 with our ‘Nature & Conservation’ theme, integrating learning and sustainability into all sessions with the help of conservation experts.
How You Can Help
We’re raising £20,000 to bring dance to 12,000 disabled children in 2025.
Your support will help us:
🦩 Deliver inclusive classes, workshops, a tour, and a free on-demand virtual class.
🦩 Support parents and carers with educational and supportive events.
🦩 Train more teachers and professionals to share best practices.
🦩 Advocate for inclusion with powerful campaigns.
Where Your Donations Will Go:
🦩 £4,000 could fund 40“Wonder Workshops” – immersive, sensory-packed dance experiences in special schools, hospitals, and hospices.
🦩 £6,500 could fund our Volunteer Coordinator for 6 months – growing our award-winning intergenerational volunteer programme, uniting older adults, disabled volunteers, and children through dance.
🦩 £2,500 could fund a Teacher Development Day – training our expert teachers to deliver the highest quality sessions and share techniques with professionals in education, health, and social care.
🦩 £2,400 could fund a term of regular dance classes – creating lasting impact on speech, coordination, muscle tone, and confidence for children in four different settings.
🦩 £2,420 could support our Agents of Change programme – empowering young disabled leaders covering monthly meetings plus sensory materials to hone confidence and leadership development.
🦩 £2,180 would pay forour essential costs like insurance, DBS checks to ensure our children are safe,uniforms and accountancy.
Why This Matters
Disabled children face significant barriers to being active, with 41% remaining inactive and obesity rates 38% higher than their peers. They also face a loneliness epidemic, with45% regularly feeling lonely.
Flamingo Chicks is changing this. Dance is more than movement—it’s a powerful tool for social connection ,confidence, and wellbeing.
Check out the live projects we're supporting
NS10 Community Program
Niall Stringer Foundation’s sole mission is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and wellbeing and give sports clubs, at all levels, across the UK the tools to allow them to contribute positively in the prevention of suicide in young people
Colours of Dance Radiates
Colours of Dance Radiates is a creative dance programme offered through primary schools, to all children, but which is particularly beneficial for those who experience bigger challenges in their daily lives. This might include, but is not limited, to children with neurodiversities, disease, disabilities or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) such as family adjustments.
Scarletts Smiles
Spotlight UK supports children affected by domestic abuse, children in care, children affected by loss, children with terminal illness or physical disability or who have a family member with terminal illness or long-term physical disability or mental health issues. We cannot take away the past but aim to create positive new memories and to help improve mental health through fun activities and days out and special experiences
