Under One Roof: Alice Woods’ Mission to Make Manchester’s Dance Scene Inclusive for All
- Sep 4, 2024
- 4 mins read
Under One Roof is on a mission to democratize Manchester’s dance music scene by creating an inclusive rave experience for […]
The origins of club culture and dance music are rooted in inclusivity, openness and support for marginalised communities. But today, many venues remain out of reach to those who have disabilities. They are often designed and built without any consideration for wheelchair users, or are too busy and loud for those sensitive to the intensity of a dance floor.
In Manchester, Alice Woods has been dedicating her spare time to cultivating a space for music lovers with learning disabilities. As one of the team behind Meat Free – a house and techno party that has hosted names like DVS1 and Ben Sims – Alice has been organising and promoting club events in the city for five years. Under One Roof is an offshoot from Meat Free, and is designed to provide a welcoming environment for learning disabled adults to come and enjoy a club experience that caters for their needs. By giving them an introduction to club culture, Under One Roof hopes this experience will build their confidence to go to a ‘mainstream’ club.
On the dance floor at Under One Roof
© Thomas McKean
By working alongside Manchester People First, a local self-advocacy group run by and for those with learning disabilities, it has become an important destination for a wide range of people to go out, express themselves and have fun. Now taking place at the new, fully-accessible venue Yes, it is one of very few events of its type in the city. And its reach goes beyond Manchester; Under One Roof has inspired people in other cities to ask Alice for advice on setting up something similar.
Meet Alice Woods and a few of the clubbers from Under One Roof and find out more about how it’s making a difference to people’s lives.
Alice Woods
“We [Meat Free] had been throwing parties for about five years, and we do to give something back to the city that had adopted us. Rather than raise money for something, we wanted to give our time and skills, and when I saw a similar idea on the BBC I thought it would be a great thing to do. It was in line with our principles at Meat Free; to make techno fun and to open up the dance floor. But none of us have any background in working with people who have mental or physical disabilities, and it was paramount we did everything right. We asked for advice from loads of different charities and bodies, and joined forces with Manchester People First. They were fully on board – I think a couple of them used to go to the Hacienda!
“We’ve had some lovely stories come out of the parties. Shane, who came to the first one, had wanted to be a DJ and so we let him have a go on the decks. The company that looked after him got wind that he was keen on DJing, so they paid for a load of equipment for him. There was also a Rosie [interviewed below] who came, and it was the first time she’d ever been able to go on a night out with her sister in that kind of environment, which is the kind of thing we just take for granted.
In an ideal world, I’d like Under One Roof to go away, I’d like it if there were no need for it.
“All of us who are involved in club culture know how important it is for personal development: for building relationships, making friends, boosting your confidence and social skills. For a certain section of society to be cut off from that is ridiculous. We’ve had people from other cities contact us and ask how we got it all together; we just did it, there’s no secret formula. My advice to them, and anyone else, is just do it. Go for it. Speak to organisations that work with people who have disabilities, and they should be able to help you with everything you need to know.
“In an ideal world, I’d like Under One Roof to go away. I’d like it if there were no need for it. I want everyone who goes to Under One Roof to start going to other nights like Meat Free, or whatever it is. This is a welcoming space where disabled people get to try out what it’s like to be in a club environment, and I hope it builds their confidence to the point where they’ll be able to go to other nights.”
“I like the music,” says Derien, “I’d come back again!”
© Thomas McKean
Nathan had never been to a rave before Under One Roof
© Thomas McKean
Under One Roof is Kasim (left) and Paul’s “first night out”
© Thomas McKean
John: “I can’t dance like I can here anywhere else. I’m dancing real good”
© Thomas McKean
Derien Harvey
“I’ve had a good time; I like the music. I’d come back again! It’s fantastic and it’s available until late, if you want to come. I also go to Frogtastic – it’s the same as here, and just as good.”
Nathan Cairns
“It’s brilliant to have something like this for people with disabilities who are 18 and over to enjoy the party life. I’d never been out to a rave before. It’s funny, because I didn’t realise they’d have tall chairs and tables with so much space for dancing. I listen to all sorts of music… apart from opera!”
Kasim Safdar & Paul Charles Bacon
Kasim: “This is my first time. It’s nice; it’s all accessible. I’ve never been to anything like this before. The music is nice – at home I listen to Disney songs, and sometimes James Brown.”
Paul: “We know each other through Manchester People First. We’ve been friends for about eight years and we decided to come here together for our first night out. It’s nice here, the music is good and so is the atmosphere. I’ve danced a bit here and there!”
John Ginder
“I’ve been to a few things like this and they’re good. It’s my first time at this one; I can’t dance like I can here anywhere else. I’m dancing real good. I’m a good dancer, real wicked! I want to be the best dancer at one of these things.”
Michelle (left) and Rosie like to “spend quality time together” there
© Thomas McKean
Rosie Johnson & Michelle
Rosie: “We’ve been to the Texture twice before haven’t we ‘Chelle?”
Michelle: “It was brilliant and I had a lovely time. It was the first time I’d been to something like that. Wasn’t it good?”
Rosie: “Yeah, you could actually enjoy yourself in a safe environment. Michelle can’t go out in a regular club or be out late at night, so this gives her that same kind of experience in a safe, welcoming space. We were really tired by the end of it!”
Things like this are brilliant; they give people with disabilities an experience of everyday life
Michelle: “I was dancing all night! I listen to Irish music at home and a bit of disco.”
Rosie: “Michelle’s got a great social life anyway. We do a lot of things together, but we’d never been out clubbing together and we’ve been coming ever since. You get a few of the same people coming each time so we know everyone’s moves now!”
Michelle: “I’ve practised my moves before I come. I do a lot of moves with my arms!”
Rosie: “Things like this are brilliant; they give people with disabilities an experience of everyday life. We really like it, and it’s good to spend quality time together. I thought my party life was over, but here I am on a Thursday night – I’ve got to be up for work at half six!”
James and family at Under One Roof, Manchester
© Thomas McKean
Sharon Gillen & James
Sharon: “I think it’s so close to being a ‘normal’ club, for want of a better word, and James is having a great time.”
James: “I’m having fun yes, lots of dancing.”
Sharon: “We do a lot of discos in Manchester, like Save The Disco at St. John’s and The Frog & Bucket.”
James: “I dance at home too. I listen to Liam Gallagher… and Noel.”
Sharon: “I’m a country girl myself. We have a different radio playing in every room of the house. This is what’s needed in Manchester – more inclusive clubs. Although there are club nights just for disabled people, it keeps them sheltered from the mainstream. It’s time now that the mainstream is educated and this is the way to do it. Something like this is a start. James loves it. He dances all night!”
Read at https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/under-one-roof-learning-disabled-clubbing
Read at https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/under-one-roof-learning-disabled-clubbing
