Let’s Dance: Here’s What Kate Stanforth Has Been Up To!

Our frequent collaborator, Kate Stanforth, runs inclusive dance, tap, advanced dance, ballet with PBT, and private sessions which cover a whole host of things from personal programmes to exam practice. Over the last couple of years, Allied Mobility have taken great pleasure in providing sponsorship to her Academy of Dance. We are delighted to be involved in such a groundbreaking business which has been bagging accolades and campaigning for more equitable representation. So, it was great to hear from Kate on how her sponsorship has strengthened the dance school’s offering.  

Big Goals, Big Dreams  

In 2022, Kate achieved her big goal for the dance academy by hiring dance teachers with lived experience of chronic illness. One of these teachers was trained by Kate herself. Now, with a total of three teachers at the Academy, there are sessions for dances from different parts of the world.   

Aside from welcoming more teachers, some of the other key milestones that Kate and the Academy have achieved this last year are:

• Featured in The Guardian beside Joe Wicks as one of the top fitness sites  
• Awarded ‘Highly Commended’ at the Together Awards by BBC Radio Newcastle  
• Named as Cosmopolitan’s Favourite Inclusive Fitness Class  
• Set up her first dance troupe which took part in several campaigns around the world 
• Performed on ‘The One Show’ on the BBC

Allied Mobility Sponsorship  

We caught up with Kate to reflect on our year together, and it was great to hear about some of the elements we have been able to support for the Kate Stanforth Academy of Dance. This included improvements to the dance academy website and booking system, purchasing new uniforms and being able to bring the price per class down at a time when costs are so important.  

• Making documentation more accessible: A lot of the members didn’t have access to printers and getting to a Post Office was difficult. So, the Academy invested in online software to make it easy for everyone to sign essential paperwork.
• Teacher training: Kate became an Art Award Advisor with a specialism in SEND. This allows students to do qualifications and allows the Academy to partner with schools in the future.
• Upgrading the website: Booking sessions was something students were struggling with, and therefore, an easier booking and payment system was created. This will also go towards investing in making merchandising available in the future.
• Providing outfits for performances: The Academy bought dance shoes, t-shirts and joggers for students who needed it.
• Reducing the cost of dance sessions from £8 per session to £2.50 per offline session and £3.13 per online session.

One Step At A Time 

We are very pleased to see the Academy creating opportunities for dancers, spreading smiles and campaigning for more inclusive spaces for all shapes, genders and identities. We are delighted to be involved and look forward to continuing to make a small contribution towards Kate’s big movement.

You can book a dance class with Kate, or follow her on Instagram or Facebook.