Manchester pupils to take part in national Dance for Rights event celebrating children’s rights
TeamMCR is proud to be supporting Manchester schools to take part in Dance for Rights: Every Child. Every Move, a national mass dance event created by Royal Ballet and Opera Schools with Create & Dance and UNICEF. The event invites children to explore and celebrate their rights through movement, creativity and shared participation.
On Tuesday 7 July 2026, pupils from Manchester will join thousands of children across the country in a live-streamed dance experience from the Royal Opera House. Manchester has been selected as a Hero Venue, with children gathering at The Monastery in Gorton to take part together and showcase the city’s commitment to putting children’s rights into practice. The event is inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially Article 31, which recognises every child’s right to rest, leisure, play, recreational activity, and to take part freely in cultural life and the arts. For TeamMCR, the event reflects the charity’s wider mission to improve the physical health, mental wellbeing and life chances of children and young people across Manchester through PE, school sport, physical activity and creative opportunities Dance for Rights supports schools to bring children’s rights to life through creative learning, high-quality dance and inclusive participation. The event also provides a practical way for children to understand that their rights include opportunities to rest, play, take part in culture and enjoy the arts. TeamMCR works across Manchester to strengthen access to PE, school sport and physical activity, supporting schools and partners to create opportunities that help children and young people be healthier, happier and more confident.
| Vicky Marshall, CEO of TeamMCR, said: “We are incredibly proud to be a Child Friendly Manchester Ambassador and to support Manchester’s ambition to be a city where children’s rights are understood, respected and lived every day. At TeamMCR, we believe every child should have the opportunity to move, play, create, perform and feel part of something bigger than themselves. Dance for Rights brings this to life by connecting children’s rights with movement, confidence, joy and self-expression. Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child reminds us that play, culture, arts and recreation are fundamental to childhood. Opportunities to take part in dance, PE, sport and creative activity can be transformative — supporting children’s physical health, mental wellbeing, confidence, friendships and sense of belonging. We are delighted that Manchester children will be part of this national moment, celebrating their right to be active, creative and heard. This is exactly why TeamMCR exists: to work with schools and partners so every child in our city has the chance to thrive. As the PE and school sport landscape changes nationally, local partnership working matters more than ever. By joining up children’s rights, wellbeing, PE, sport, creativity, inclusion and youth voice, we can help schools build broad, meaningful enrichment opportunities — while supporting teachers to feel more confident delivering dance and creative physical activity.” |