The company had followed the invitation of an innovative British-Russian charity for Down’s Syndrome children named ‘Downside UP’, based in Moscow. By performing in public, the dancers were to arouse the people’s interest in these overlooked and often neglected children. The company was to assist the new charity in making known the positive changes it had in mind for Down’s Syndrome children and their parents all over Russia.

The performance took place in the well filled hall of a university teaching social science. Students, teachers, care staff and families with their Down’s syndrome children attended and the atmosphere was electric. As hoped, the press appeared and conducted interviews. National TV filmed the performance, which was broadcast to the whole country.

This event helped pave the way for the new charity’s recognition by professionals and facilitated their access to parents nationwide. Mothers giving birth to a Down’s child in hospital were now issued with a positive information pack and an invitation to contact the charity. A DVD of the dancers’ performance was inserted to show what can be.

Due to Downside UP and the dancers’ artistic ‘nudge’, more babies began to be received in a spirit of hope and determination and were no longer abandoned by dejected parents. Some of the dancers returned to Moscow the following year to assist with dance workshops and to participate in a Moscow arts festival.

Since then the young people have entertained in a variety of places and, mostly unaware, have continued in their role as ambassadors for Down’s Syndrome.