Parable Dance

What Parable Dance does

Parable Dance is a UK-based inclusive dance organisation founded in 2019 and headquartered in Brighton, delivering specialised dance services for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Sussex and the wider South East of England. Operated by a 5-person team, it runs weekly classes, holiday clubs, and alternative school provision in Brighton, alongside bespoke workshops and projects for schools, adult services, and partner organisations. Its services are accessed through direct participation by individuals and families, school and council procurement, and professional development engagements with dance institutions.

The organisation's portfolio spans three service lines: direct participation programmes for disabled individuals and their families (Weekly Classes, Holiday Clubs, Alternative Provision, Workshop Bookings); professional development for the sector (CPD Workshops, Mentoring Programme, Training & Consultancy); and sector-building infrastructure, including The Inclusive Dance Directory (a national content platform launched in 2024), the Network for Emerging Inclusive Dancers (NEID), and annual online conferences. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery is in-person through community venues, schools, and partner sites, with a website, newsletter, and the Directory providing digital touchpoints.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional services fees for classes, workshops, training, and consultancy, supplemented by charitable donations via the website's 'Donate Now' functionality. The go-to-market is community-led, with referrals through a network of approximately 30 partners including Sadler's Wells, Royal Academy of Dance, The Place, Rambert, National Youth Ballet, Canterbury Christ Church University, Mencap, Sense, and Brighton & Hove City Council. Impact metrics for 2025/26 include 4,291 unique engagements across 465 dance sessions, 142 CPD participants, 28 training sessions, 13 performances, and 5 sector awards including the Brighton & Hove Business Awards Diversity & Inclusion Award and the UK Coaching Education Delivery Practitioner's Award.

Name

Parable Dance

Legal name

Parable Dance

Website

https://parabledance.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Parable Dance is a Brighton-based inclusive dance organisation delivering weekly classes, holiday clubs, alternative provision, and sector-wide professional development for people with special educational needs and disabilities across Sussex and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inclusive Dance Education

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD), Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

Keywords

• Inclusive dance classes
• Dance education services
• Professional dance training
• Accessible dance workshops
• Dance consultancy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dance Classes and Workshops: Revenue from providing weekly inclusive dance classes, holiday clubs, and workshop sessions for participants with special educational needs and disabilities across Sussex and South East England.
2. Training and Consultancy Services: CPD workshops, mentoring programmes, and consultancy services for schools, universities, and organisations seeking to develop inclusive dance practice.
3. Alternative Provision: School alternative provision services for families and schools in Brighton, providing tailored dance education for participants requiring specialized support.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations received through the website's 'Donate Now' functionality, supporting the organization's mission to provide accessible dance opportunities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Parable Dance delivers inclusive dance classes, holiday clubs, workshops, training, and consultancy services for people with special educational needs and disabilities, their families, schools, and dance professionals. Core community offerings (weekly classes and holiday clubs) run across Sussex, while professional development services (CPD workshops, mentoring, and consultancy) reach UK-wide audiences. The organization also operates the Inclusive Dance Directory, a national platform launched in 2024 to unite inclusive dance artists and companies.

Product overview

Parable Dance offers a comprehensive portfolio of inclusive dance services designed for people with special educational needs and disabilities. The core offering consists of direct participation programs (Weekly Classes, Holiday Clubs, Alternative Provision, Workshop Bookings) providing accessible dance opportunities across Sussex and the South East of England. Supporting these are professional development services (Training & Consultancy, Mentoring Programme) that empower practitioners and organisations to strengthen their inclusive practice. The portfolio also includes community-building initiatives: the Inclusive Dance Directory (a national platform launched in 2024 connecting inclusive dance artists and companies) and Conferences & Networks (including NEID), which facilitate professional networking and knowledge-sharing across the UK inclusive dance sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEID (Network for Emerging Inclusive Dancers): A free network designed for individuals who are beginning to explore inclusive dance and would benefit from guidance, information and professional connections.
• The Inclusive Dance Directory

Products and services

• Weekly Classes Regular dance classes delivered in community venues across Sussex for people of all ages with special educational needs and disabilities and their families, providing inclusive creative, physical, and social dance opportunities.
• Holiday Clubs Dance holiday clubs providing creative activities during school breaks for participants with special educational needs and disabilities across Sussex.
• Workshop Bookings Bespoke dance workshops delivered in schools and adult services across the South East of England, tailored to each community's needs.
• Training & Consultancy Professional development programmes including CPD workshops and consultancy services for schools, universities, and organisations to strengthen their inclusive dance practice.
• Mentoring Programme Structured mentorship for early-career inclusive dance teachers, providing guidance, professional connections, and skill development opportunities.
• Alternative Provision Specialised dance programmes for families and schools in Brighton offering alternative educational provision for participants with additional needs.
• Inclusive Dance Directory A national platform launched in 2024 dedicated to uniting inclusive dance artists and companies, providing a fortnightly newsletter with opportunities and enabling contributors to share news, resources, and biographies. Available at inclusivedancedirectory.com.
• Conferences & Networks Annual online conference events and professional networks including NEID (Network for Emerging Inclusive Dancers) and Inclusive Cuppa Catch Ups, connecting the inclusive dance community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of participants said dance has been good, 100% look forward to dance each week, 100% said dance is fun, 100% feel more confident, 100% made new friends
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• icandancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Guest company for annual conference event 'Social model vs Charity model of disability' scheduled for 2027. Co-hosted conference to connect the dance community and open discussion around working together to inform change.
• Step Change StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Guest company for annual conference event 'Social model vs Charity model of disability' scheduled for 2027. Co-hosted conference to connect the dance community and discuss disability models in dance practice.
• People DancingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional development partner providing networking opportunities and sector leadership for inclusive dance professionals. Louise Katerega, Head of Professional Development, has attested to Parable's role in plugging a gap in the industry.
• Canterbury Christ Church UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for professional development programmes, working to embed inclusive practice across higher education dance programmes.
• SensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity supporting people with complex disabilities partnered for inclusive dance project delivery and community engagement.
• South East DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional dance organisation partnership for sector development and collaborative dance initiatives in South East England.
• Sadler's WellscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSadler's Wells Projects Manager, Learning & Engagement (Elaine Foley) has described Parable as 'incredibly trustworthy, professional, and caring' in testimonial for project delivery.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amici Dance Theatre Company: UK inclusive dance company delivering classes, performances and outreach for disabled people. Operates a similar community-class-plus-professional-development model to Parable Dance.
• Stopgap Dance Company: Disabled and non-disabled integrated dance company producing performances, participation programmes and CPD. Comparable to Parable in blending inclusive participation with sector development work.
• Step Change Studios: London-based inclusive dance company offering classes and performances for disabled and non-disabled participants. Co-hosting Parable's 2027 conference and competing for the same CPD and inclusive dance commissioning opportunities.
• People Dancing: UK national development organization for community and participatory dance, including inclusive practice. Directly comparable to Parable Dance in mission, audience and training/consultancy offerings, and is documented as Parable's professional development partner.
• Candoco Dance Company: Internationally recognised integrated dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers running participation, education and CPD programmes. Comparable in combining inclusive classes, performance and professional training.
• icandance: UK-based inclusive dance organization delivering classes and projects for disabled people. Co-hosting the 2027 Parable conference and operating the same community-classes-plus-professional-development model in a different region.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Academy of Dance: International dance education and certification body listed as a Parable collaborator. Comparable through professional development and accreditation pathways for dance teachers, including inclusive practice.
• Sadler's Wells: Major UK dance venue and producer with a learning and engagement programme. Documented Parable partner and exerts influence over commissioning, participation and CPD spend in inclusive dance.
• One Dance UK: UK sector body for dance providing advocacy, training resources and directories. Adjacent to Parable's Inclusive Dance Directory and CPD offerings and a potential scaling competitor.

Regional players

• South East Dance: Regional dance development organization covering South East England. Listed as a Parable partner and serves a comparable regional footprint for participatory dance programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parable-dance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Parable Dance