our Family
THE DANCERS
At Family Thing, our dancers are the coolest people we know! Each dancer brings their unique style, energy, and passion to our community, making every class and performance a vibrant celebration of creativity and talent.
These incredible individuals shine in every performance, captivating audiences and spreading joy. Their dedication and hard work are evident in every move they make, turning each performance into an unforgettable experience. Whether they’re participating in local events or showcasing their talents on larger stages, our dancers inspire and uplift everyone around them.
We are proud to introduce you to our dancers, who are the heart of Family Thing. They embody the spirit of our charity, demonstrating the transformative power of dance and the importance of community. Each dancer’s journey is a testament to their resilience, creativity, and the positive impact of honouring diversity.
Join us in celebrating our dancers and their achievements. We are proud to support these remarkable individuals and are excited for you to meet them and see the amazing work they do.
THE TEAM
& Safeguarding Lead
At Family Thing, our teachers and support staff are the backbone of our organisation, bringing expertise, passion, and a nurturing spirit to everything we do. They are dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to ensure our dancers have the best possible experience.
Our teachers are skilled in commercial dance and are adept at tailoring their instruction to meet the diverse needs of our community. They create a supportive and inclusive environment where every dancer feels encouraged to express themselves and grow. With their guidance, our dancers develop not only their dance skills but also their confidence and self-worth.
Supporting our teachers is our incredible support staff, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. From organizing classes and workshops to coordinating performances, their efforts ensure that our programs are seamless and successful. They are the unsung heroes who keep the heartbeat of Family Thing strong.
We are proud to introduce you to our teachers and support staff, whose dedication and hard work make Family Thing a special place. Their commitment to our mission and our dancers is evident in everything they do, helping us create a community where everyone can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging.
THE PATRONS
At Family Thing, our patrons are the trailblazers and visionaries who stand at the forefront of their fields. They are leaders, creatives, and innovators who understand the transformative power of dance and the importance of community. With their vibrant energy and boundless enthusiasm, our patrons bring a unique spark to our charity.
These incredible individuals aren’t just supporters—they’re passionate advocates who champion our cause. They know that dance can inspire, uplift, and unite people, and they are committed to making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience this magic. Their belief in our mission helps us provide dance classes, workshops, and performances that empower our dancers to shine.
We are thrilled to introduce you to our patrons, whose brilliance and creativity light up everything we do at Family Thing. Their support and advocacy are instrumental in helping us create an inclusive and empowering environment for all. With our patrons by our side, the sky’s the limit!
THE TRUSTEES
At Family Thing, our trustees are the guiding lights who help steer our mission and vision. Each trustee brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion to our organization, ensuring that we remain true to our goals of empowering individuals with learning differences and diverse abilities.
Our trustees are not just leaders; they are advocates and champions for our community. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our programs, provide strategic direction, and uphold the values that Family Thing stands for. Their commitment to inclusivity and empowerment is reflected in every decision they make, helping us create an environment where everyone can thrive.
We are proud to introduce you to our trustees, who play a pivotal role in the success and growth of Family Thing. With their guidance and support, we continue to make a positive impact in the lives of our dancers and the broader community.
Kate Busaka
- As the founder of Family Thing, Kate is constantly thrilled that she has the opportunity to support our fantastic dancers and work with such a powerhouse of a team. Not able to leave the 283 Crew when she left the country she says that they are by far the coolest people she has ever met.
- Living in Kenya with her husband and two energetic sons Kate keeps up her dancing through the projects we run there and through a weekly streetdance class at the local school.
- Kate has been teaching dancing professionally for over 20 years, having lectured at Bucks New University and coached competitors at The Miller Dance Centre in Norwich. With a former European Champion as a Mum, and her two cousins having both won Strictly Come Dancing, dance for Kate truly is a ‘family thing’.
- Kate works in private practice as a therapist following a pschodynamic psychotherapeutic post graduate degree at Brighton University, her first degree from the UEA was in English Literature and Creative Writing and she believes that creativity and connection is at the heart of all that she does.
Jo Lake
- Embraces her “Brightonian” roots with a deep affection for the city, countryside, and sea; while she may stick to summer swims, her adventurous spirit thrives, thanks to her Travel Consultant spouse.
- Juggles her role as a supportive mom to two daughters in secondary school, eagerly joining them in their activities and bonding over their shared love for baking cheese scones.
- With a rich background spanning over 25 years in the charity sector, Jo’s journey has taken her from frontline work in domestic violence support and the drug and alcohol sector to the dynamic realm of Human Resources (HR) for the past 18 years.
- Armed with an MSc in Occupational Psychology, Jo’s passion lies in fostering a vibrant, supportive, and motivational environment at Family Thing as a new Trustee. Whether she’s tending to her garden, exploring new cycling routes, or championing Family Thing’s mission, Jo’s zest for life shines through in everything she does.
Our Approach
Family Thing is freedom, self-confidence, energy, and motivation…a bomb of natural talent and passion which brings up hidden talents in the most brilliant people. Family Thing provides a positive environment for people to express themselves through dance. It gets you out, stops you being isolated at home and gets you meeting people. Family Thing provides amazing opportunities and experiences which wouldn’t otherwise be possible. It wakes you up, it gets you moving and once you start dancing you don’t want to stop. There are no differences, no barriers, no ages. It’s a beautiful environment of music and teamwork which invades you and makes you feel lucky to be there, to be part of the family.
Family Thing puts the people they work with at the centre of everything they do, which is why every word of the description above is directly from them.
Wild and Free Stevie B – Family Thing dancer since 2012
Lovely Lisa – Family Thing dancer since 2014
Cheche Macavoy – Support worker for Family Thing dancers
Rob Lawson – Lead support worker for Family Thing dancers
Jo Barnard – Manager of care home for Family Thing dancers
We help to empower dance heroes
We provide opportunities for individuals with learning differences and diverse abilities to feel empowered, to be supported and to have a sense of belonging. We work to increase social engagement for these communities and for the individuals within them to experience an increased sense of self worth. We do this through the provision of dance classes and workshops with a base in commercial dance, and by supporting our dancers to take part in performances throughout the year.
During each session with Family Thing, dancers are invited to create their own ‘dance hero persona’, and have opportunities to express themselves as individuals with the support of the group. There is also a focus on strengthening their sense of community through the concept of ‘supporting your crew’.
Our Story
Family Thing’s journey began in 2012 with five young men—James, Deji, Stevie, Rhys, and Dan—living in a supported residence run by Care Management Group Ltd (CMG) in Brighton. They came to Kate for a street dance lesson, and their collaboration sparked something extraordinary.
In their early sessions, Kate asked the group to express their fears and joys about dance through a poster. This exercise revealed a deep desire in some members to perform. James, Deji, and Stevie embraced the challenge, entering a CMG talent show with their first dance routine—and winning!
The group proudly named themselves “The 283 Crew.” In 2017, one of the original members described dancing with us as feeling like “family,” and thus, Family Thing was born.
Our achievements span from boosting the confidence and wellbeing of our dancers to participating in significant local and national events. Our dancers perform at least 4 times a year, and these performanes have included the first Brighton Disability Pride, Brighton Dome with Streetfunk, and Unity clubnight events. Nationally, they’ve showcased their talents at CMG’s annual Athletics event, various conferences, and even in Westminster as part of the STOMPwLD campaign against the over-medication of individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
At Family Thing, dance sessions are inclusive, focusing on the joy of movement rather than physical ability. We foster a supportive environment where everyone can express themselves and grow in confidence.
Rhys, one of our original members, took five years to build his confidence, and in 2017, he finally stepped into the spotlight at Brighton Dome. His journey from shy dancer to stage performer embodies the spirit of Family Thing.
Today, our dancers continue to break boundaries and redefine what’s possible. We’re not just a dance group; we’re a movement, proving that with the right support, anyone can shine. Whether it’s performing at local festivals, national events, or just enjoying the sheer joy of dance, our crew is always ready to bring the energy and show the world what we’re made of.
Join us on this incredible journey—because at Family Thing, we don’t just dance. We make magic happen.
A word from the fam
