We were delighted to welcome Helen Davies from Unbound Dance Theatre to talk about her own lived experience and work with the Blind and Visually Impaired (B/VI) community.
At Magpie we are always keen to make positive connections with organisations and groups in the VCSE sector, learning from their knowledge and expertise. Fostering an authentic and sustainable approach with EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) which feeds into our core community values.
Helen, who is registered blind herself, shared her powerful experience of dancing without sight, emphasising the importance of inclusive practice as a universal right. She recounted how Unbound’s founder, Sandrine Monin, encouraged dancing with closed eyes, which provided an unparalleled sense of freedom.
The first time I danced this way I completely broke down into tears afterwards from the pure release of emotion.
Helen
Unbound have also taken part in pioneering work with professionals at Leeds University to utilise creative, innovative ‘sound and movement’ technology with the use of a wearable device called an Echome – (which produces sound through movement in an intuitive and accessible way, reacting to the wearer’s physical movements).
Helen’s story underscores the significance of true inclusivity and accessibility, to foster a more equitable world. She highlighted the immense power, freedom and sense of belonging this cultivates;
I am living in a sighted world, every day I navigate my way through society being set up for people to function with sight. The beauty and sheer joy that Unbound offers through the world of dance is the freedom to create movement and soundscapes without having to rely on sight.
Helen
At Magpie, we also believe in the transformative power of community collaboration, and commend their own vision for an authentic legacy.
We exist to connect with communities through dance, promote well-being and challenge norms. Movement becomes a tool for expression, acceptance, growth and the seed of positive societal change. It’s a step towards a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Unbound