Born to Perform
Nominee Profile
Location: Central Bedfordshire
Born to Perform – National Diversity Awards Bio
Born to Perform is more than a performing arts school – it’s a movement. Based in Northampton, at The Deco Theatre, right in the heart of our community, we run a vibrant day provision for young people with additional needs, offering them a safe, supportive, and empowering space to learn, grow, and thrive through the arts and beyond. We are proud to have expanded our reach to Bedford. We also run a Saturday performing arts school for children and young people aged 2 and above with additional needs – ensuring that inclusive opportunities begin from the earliest years. These sessions are supported by our volunteers from our adult day provision providing positive role models to our younger members and their families.
Born to Perform was created with one mission: to give young people with disabilities the same opportunities to shine, succeed, and express themselves through the power of dance, drama, music and life skill experiences and opportunities.
Our students are people with learning disabilities, autism, and a range of additional needs – and they are incredible. We exist to empower them, not just to perform, but to own the stage, and in doing so, challenge society’s perceptions of what disability really means.
In 2022, Born to Perform captured the nation’s hearts when our dance troupe earned the Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent, sailing through to the semi-finals with a performance that had millions of viewers on their feet. Our students proved that talent, determination, and joy know no boundaries – and we proved that inclusion isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.
But we’re not just about the spotlight. Behind the scenes, we work tirelessly across schools, communities, and organisations to raise awareness, break down barriers, and promote inclusion at every level. Our outreach program brings accessible workshops directly into mainstream and special schools across the UK. Through dance, drama, and performance, we help young people understand the importance of empathy, diversity, and acceptance. We give children with disabilities a voice – and we help others learn to listen.
What makes Born to Perform so special is our belief that every individual matters. We don’t focus on what people can’t do – we focus on what they can. And the results are extraordinary: young people finding confidence through movement; those who’ve never been included in a team finally finding a place to belong; families who’ve never seen their children celebrated now watching them light up the stage.
We’re building a future where inclusion isn’t the exception – it’s the norm. Where schools, workplaces, and stages across the country are filled with people of all abilities. Where no young person is ever made to feel “less than” because of their diagnosis.
Born to Perform is not just changing lives – we are changing minds.
Winning a National Diversity Award would help us continue this vital work, reach more young people, and show the world that inclusion in the arts isn’t just important – it’s essential. Because when you give someone the chance to perform, you give them the chance to believe in themselves.
Born to Perform is more than a performing arts school – it’s a movement. Based in Northampton, at The Deco Theatre, right in the heart of our community, we run a vibrant day provision for young people with additional needs, offering them a safe, supportive, and empowering space to learn, grow, and thrive through the arts and beyond. We are proud to have expanded our reach to Bedford. We also run a Saturday performing arts school for children and young people aged 2 and above with additional needs – ensuring that inclusive opportunities begin from the earliest years. These sessions are supported by our volunteers from our adult day provision providing positive role models to our younger members and their families.
Born to Perform was created with one mission: to give young people with disabilities the same opportunities to shine, succeed, and express themselves through the power of dance, drama, music and life skill experiences and opportunities.
Our students are people with learning disabilities, autism, and a range of additional needs – and they are incredible. We exist to empower them, not just to perform, but to own the stage, and in doing so, challenge society’s perceptions of what disability really means.
In 2022, Born to Perform captured the nation’s hearts when our dance troupe earned the Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent, sailing through to the semi-finals with a performance that had millions of viewers on their feet. Our students proved that talent, determination, and joy know no boundaries – and we proved that inclusion isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.
But we’re not just about the spotlight. Behind the scenes, we work tirelessly across schools, communities, and organisations to raise awareness, break down barriers, and promote inclusion at every level. Our outreach program brings accessible workshops directly into mainstream and special schools across the UK. Through dance, drama, and performance, we help young people understand the importance of empathy, diversity, and acceptance. We give children with disabilities a voice – and we help others learn to listen.
What makes Born to Perform so special is our belief that every individual matters. We don’t focus on what people can’t do – we focus on what they can. And the results are extraordinary: young people finding confidence through movement; those who’ve never been included in a team finally finding a place to belong; families who’ve never seen their children celebrated now watching them light up the stage.
We’re building a future where inclusion isn’t the exception – it’s the norm. Where schools, workplaces, and stages across the country are filled with people of all abilities. Where no young person is ever made to feel “less than” because of their diagnosis.
Born to Perform is not just changing lives – we are changing minds.
Winning a National Diversity Award would help us continue this vital work, reach more young people, and show the world that inclusion in the arts isn’t just important – it’s essential. Because when you give someone the chance to perform, you give them the chance to believe in themselves.