Dance group's excitement at Disneyland performance

A group of young adults with special educational needs and learning disabilities said they had the "best time ever" performing at Disneyland Paris.

Dance students from the Lotus Enrichment Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, performed on stage and took part in a parade at the resort on 28 August.

The group landed the opportunity to perform in France following a successful audition process.

“It was like a dream come true,” dance student Sophie said.

Another service user, Aaron, added: “It was fabulous, best time ever, I really enjoyed it."

The community centre, based in Stapenhill, offers a care service with activities and outreach sessions for children and adults with learning difficulties, autism and challenging behaviours.

The group were given the chance to perform after they sent an audition video to the "Perform in the Magic at Disneyland Paris" scheme.

It offers groups, choirs and schools the chance to perform at the theme park.

Kelly Smith, manager with the centre, said the team took part in a 15-minute parade through the resort before performing a three-minute dance routine.

“To see how proud they were after and even now...they finish their performance and they’re like 'I did it, I did it'," she said.

"It's just that achievement every single time. There's no words."

The dance sessions at the centre began with 10 service users but have grown to more than a hundred over several years with weekly dance lessons taking place.

Teacher Stacey Jones said watching their progress was "heartwarming".

“Seeing their development within dance and how they can remember a routine and they know it inside out, back to front and when they hear the song – they’re like 'I know this'. And they can just dance to it." she said.

“Because when it first started, it was a challenge to remember but now they're just nailing it, they’re just so good.”

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