Who we are

Rachel Liggitt Co-Artistic Director

Rachel is a freelance dance artist, Co-director of Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SiD), an educator and coach with an impressive record of achievement across health, education, community & arts sectors. She has delivered an extensive range of school, community, performance & choreographic work both nationally & internationally. She was Dance Fellow at Leeds University 1996-2004, Education & Training Coordinator at Blue-Eyed Soul Dance Company 20062012 & has held several dance Artist in Residence positions. In 2018 Rachel won One Dance UK’s ‘Inspirational Community Dance Practitioner’ Award.

Ray Jacobs Co-Artistic Director

Ray is an experienced practitioner and director in the fields of dance, performance and filmmaking. He has a wealth of experience in leading successful inclusive dance and performance based projects. After working with Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company as a performer and education officer (1998 – 2006), Ray has created multi-award winning films and directed performance based projects throughout the community. Since 2012 Ray has worked with Shropshire Inclusive Dance, facilitating workshops, leading projects, and directing the company alongside co-director Rachel Liggitt. He states. ‘I aim in my work to create movement and image which steps quietly into the human heart’.

Anna Belyavin SiD Dance Artist

Anna Belyavin is a freelance dance artist based in Shropshire and working across the West Midlands. Anna is SiD’s Highflyers Youth Dance Lead Artist and performer with Contact Dance Company. Anna trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and gained a degree in Dance Theatre in 2010. Anna works as a performer, choreographer, teacher and facilitator and works with children, young people, adults and older adults in a variety of settings. Anna specialises in contemporary and creative dance and inclusive practice believing that dance is for everybody. She also has a keen interest in dance, health and wellbeing.

Poppy Mansfield – SiD Dance Artist Delphine Wise - Dance Assistant and Trainee

As a Contact Dance company member for many years, Delphine has attended classes, workshops and performed at many events. After completing BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy at the University of Salford, Delphine attended Para Dance UK Inclusive Practitioner training and joined the team as Company trainee and dance assistant in 2019. As part of her traineeship, Delphine has shadowed and supported the work of SiD’s lead artists, received regular mentoring and supported our weekly dance classes and projects. Delphine is a wonderful addition to our team, and we look forward to supporting her professional development into the future.

Poppy is a Freelance Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher presently working within Shropshire and the surrounding West Midlands. Poppy is a dance artist with SiD, teaching regularly and performing with Contact Dance Company. She trained in Choreography at Dartington College of Arts with a particular emphasis on visual arts. During her training she collaborated with artists from other disciplines on educational projects. This positive experience means that she now seeks out similar projects that explores and encourages young people to creatively express themselves through dance in a fun, friendly and supportive environment, to build their confidence, highlight their individuality, and grow their passion and enthusiasm for dance.

Kate Mitchinson & Hannah Prior

joined us from Ignition to support SiD’s resilience and future planning

Tom Hayes joined us in 2020 as Company Administrator