This month, Jersey welcomed a very special group of visitors when All Dance Abilities, a charity based in Croydon and surrounding areas in Surrey, spent a week at Maison Des Landes Hotel. Their stay was a celebration of dance, friendship, and the belief that dancing is for everybody.
All Dance Abilities was founded on the simple idea that dance has the power to bring people together, regardless of age or ability. What began as a single weekly class has now grown into multiple sessions across South London, including SEND groups and classes for older adults. Dance sits firmly at the heart of the charity's work, fostering confidence, freedom of expression, and lasting friendships.
This summer, a group of dancers, parents, siblings, and volunteers travelled to Jersey for their first group holiday. The trip was made possible thanks to months of fundraising by Adelaide and the team of volunteers and parents at All Dance Abilities, which included community fetes, inclusive sports days, and generous donations, raising their target of £20,000 to give families an experience many thought they would never have.
One parent explained: "We thought our days of going on holiday were over. I wasn’t aware there were places like this. It's something I couldn’t imagine we’d ever experience."
No family left behind: families share what All Dance Abilities means to them
For 15-year-old dancer Evie, whose father Michael first discovered All Dance Abilities at a community fete last autumn, the trip meant everything. Evie, a wheelchair user, enjoyed the freedom of being able to access Jersey's beaches with an all-terrain wheelchair and described dance as her way of feeling completely free: “When I perform, I don’t get nervous. Just dancing, even just moving my arms, is expression. It means everything.”
Other families shared similar reflections. Ruby’s parents spoke of “being part of something where everyone is treated the same, no matter what their disabilities are.”
Izy’s parents highlighted “confidence, friendship, acceptance — ADA has become family and support for all family members.”
Katie’s parents described how “she has gained confidence, friendships and really enjoys dancing. It gives her a safe space to be herself where there is no judgement, and the support for us as parents has been incredible.”
And Faith’s mum reflected on the group’s spirit of “accessibility and friendship — everything ADA does is available to all, with everyone helping to overcome physical barriers.”
A safe and joyful base at Maison Des Landes
The group's holiday was made possible thanks to Maison Des Landes, a unique hotel celebrating its 60th year in 2025. More than just a place to stay, Maison Des Landes is a haven designed with accessibility at its heart. With 23 rooms (15 of them fully accessible), on-site hoists, a hydrotherapy pool, and specialist transport, the hotel is dedicated to ensuring that holidays are possible for everyone.
Maison Des Landes' General Manager Steve Martin described the All Dance Abilities visit as the best week the hotel has experienced since reopening in 2023. The hotel later wrote on Facebook that it was ‘...buzzing with amazing young dancers aged 8–18, loving the pool, the trips out, the food — and of course karaoke night!’”
Dean, All Dance Abilities' Treasurer, highlighted how vital the hotel environment was: “A big advantage of staying here is that it’s a safe space — families can relax, children can be themselves, and parents support each other. It’s not just a holiday, it’s a community.”
A week full of dance and adventure
While dance rehearsals and an end-of-week showcase at the hotel formed the heart of the trip, the group also enjoyed a wide variety of Jersey activities, all adapted to be accessible. These included surfing with Healing Waves, beach trips with WetWheels, an outing to Jersey Zoo, crazy golf at Roccos Activity Centre, bowling at Jersey Bowl, and plenty of time in the hotel’s pool.
For many families, the chance to enjoy such experiences together was unforgettable. As All Dance Abilities later shared on Facebook:“You have made something people thought would be impossible — possible! We have had not only a holiday, but an incredible accessible holiday. Words will never truly do justice.”
Looking ahead
All Dance Abilities' long-term vision is to keep growing opportunities — from bringing more groups on holiday, to creating a day centre and offering employment opportunities, always with dance at the centre. Their Jersey adventure was a shining example of what can be achieved when dance, community, and accessibility come together.
For All Dance Abilities, Maison Des Landes, and everyone involved, this was more than just a holiday. It was a celebration of freedom, movement, and inclusion, proving that dance truly is for everybody.
