She said she wanted to expand in-person opportunities, but accessible venues and the subsequent fees for travel and equipment are “incredibly expensive”.
Currently, she is trying to raise £20,000 to allow her to keep the academy running.
“We’re not struggling because there isn’t a need for what we do,” Stanforth said.
“We’re struggling because making dance genuinely accessible costs money, and those costs aren’t always recognised.”
While she is thrilled some of her dancers have moved onto professional opportunities, Stanforth said the classes were about more than that.
“We’ve also seen people find joy in movement again after believing that part of their life was over,” she said.
“I don’t want another generation of disabled dancers growing up believing their ambitions are unrealistic.”
