News
We're Still Dancing!
We may have to stay home for the foreseeable future, but that's not going to stop us dancing! Helen has transferred all her classes to Zoom and will be choreographing seated routines for small spaces.
If you want to know more, or join us next Friday, email Helen at freewheelin@yahoo.com
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Christmas Show!
For the first time at Freewheelin' we put on our own Christmas show. It was a great evening, with a lively community spirit and some fantastic dancing. We had performances from our children's class, adult's class, integrated performance group, and solos from our National Competition Team.
New Class!
We are starting a new integrated dance class! This is for everyone who wants to dance and is taught in such a way that all participants, with any physical disability, mobility restrictions or without a disability, can be involved and dance together. If you are interested in joining us, drop us an email!
International Dance Festeival
Freewheelin are performing as part of the International Dance Festival in central Birmingham (2.6.2018)... come and check us out!
We've won a 'local hero' award!
Thanks to the wonderful members of Freewheelin, Helen and Fran were nominated for, and won a local heroes award!
Weoley Castle's local Hero's award ceremony
Freewheelin are due to close the Weoley Castle local Hero's award evening - we can't wait!
Wheel and walk with CPM.
Lisa and Helen warm up CPM's wheel and walk charity event.
Rebecca wins GOLD at the WORLD'S!
A huge congratulations to Rebecca and team for their gold medal win at the World Championships!
Freewheelin have a new uniform.
Available in a variety of sizes we now have fitted t-shirts, dark blue t-shirts and hoodies.
... and Radzi from Newsround
What's this item about? What makes it interesting? Write a catchy description to grab your audience's attention...
We met Birmingham Royal Ballet!
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Commonwealth handover performance
Freewheelin performed live in front of 2 billion people!
Commonwealth handover BIRMINGHAM 2022!
We are delighted to announce that dancers: Lisa, Lucy and Elle will be performing alongside Helen and Fran in Rosie Kay's commonwealth handover ceremony.
This will be broadcast LIVE on Sunday 15th April 2018 from 11am on BBC2.
Our previous donations page expired after raising a phenomenal £205! This money is going to go such a long way for our group. Here is our new page: please share with friends, family and community!
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https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/freewheelin
New logo!
Check out our new logo! Exciting times lay ahead...
#beboundless18
Our group being part of the #beboundless18 campaign!
Sunday 13th May: The Big Push with CPM!
If last year's warm up wasn't enough, Freewheelin return to get the Cerebral Palsy Midlands gang warmed up ready for their charity BIG PUSH around Cannon Hill Park! Come along and join us!
17th March Walsall Forest Arts
Debuting our new piece Burns, Freewheelin welcome two new dancers to the group.
Classes 2018
Helen is running a number of classes this year:
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Monday: Mash up movers (7-12yrs) 5pm - 5.45pm at the MAC
Dance for Wellbeing (Adults) 5.45pm - 6.45pm at the MAC
Wednesday: Beginners Tap (Adults) 6.30pm - 7.30pm at the MAC
Improvers Tap (Adults) 7.30pm - 8.30pm at the MAC
Friday: Freewheelin wheelchair and inclusive dance for all 6.30pm - 7.30pm at Saint Gabriel’s community centre Weoley Castle.
All classes at the Mac can be booked online on the Midland Arts Centre Website, for freewheelin email: freewheelin@yahoo.com
Rebecca shares her story
What an inspiration, take a look at Rebecca's story here:
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I was diagnosed with MS in 2006 at the age of 22. I have had a really turbulent time with my MS and am now a wheelchair user. I have had a really hard time adjusting to the changes that this has brought and spent a long time focusing on what I had lost instead of what I still have. A sudden bereavement earlier this year made me realise that despite all the challenges I face, there might never be a ‘better time to try’ and one day I might long to be as well as I am right now. How much worse would that feel if I also thought I didn’t make the most of what I have now?
With that in mind, I decided to start looking for opportunities to try new things and in June 2017 I joined FreeWheelin Dance group in Birmingham. I quickly fell in love with it and discovered it had both physical and psychological benefits, whilst also being enormous fun. Shortly after this I was offered the opportunity to try out for Team England Para Cheer Hip Hop. Amazingly, I was successful and will be representing England at the World Championships in Florida in April 2018.
I am so excited to be representing my country in a sport I love and would never have had this opportunity without my MS. Stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing myself to try something new has changed my life. The positive focus on my ability rather than my disability has been life changing.
Disability blogger
Our very own Helen McLaughin has been writing a disability blog. There are some great articles, interviews and personal experiences: take a look!
Community fun day at St. Gabriel's church
We had a fantastic time performing for the community at St.Gabriel's in October. With such fantastic support, we loved show casing what we get up to every week. Thank you for having us!
We have been working hard rehearsing for the CPM christmas performance. I love seeing these smiling faces every week but this has been especially fun! Visit their website the find out more.
Our crowdfunding page is now live.
Visit, donate or share our crowdfunding page to help us with transportation and specialist equipment costs.
Workshop at Warwick Univeristy
On 14th October, the Freewheelin group will be at the University of Warwick showing the students that everyone can dance! Feel free to come along and join in - it's free!
Audition success for dancer Rebecca!
Earlier this year our dancer, Rebecca Fowler, auditioned for the England Para Cheer team. Her hard work and dedication to the sport resulted in her being offered a place on the team: a huge well done!
Rebecca will be representing England at the World Championships in Orlando in April 2018.
