As we expand our current Care to Dance offering across the region, thanks to funding from Mid Suffolk & Babergh District Councils, we’re highlighting the real stories of our participants and what this programme means to them.
What is Care to Dance?
Care to Dance delivers dementia specific activity for families, carers and those living with dementia, carried out in Dementia Care settings such as Memory Cafés and community hubs. The programme utilises creative dance and music to engage participants in movement-based activities, increasing and improving participants’ mobility, co-ordination and balance. The sessions are also designed to support the participants’ mental wellbeing through the shared enjoyment of dance, sparking creativity, joy and imagination. Sessions take place across the year in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Trimley, Stowmarket, Eye, and Worlingworth. Now, we’re broadening our reach to new locations within Babergh, including Capel St Mary, Hadleigh and Sudbury.
Jennifer’s story – A sense of freedom and belonging
Our participant, Jennifer, was lonely and isolated following her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s. Jennifer’s carer said that “her world had become small…and sedentary”, lacking a support network which negatively impacted her mental health. They identified that music broke down barriers in communication, through their ‘car discos’ on trips to find interests for Jennifer to explore and connect with. This seed planted an excitement for musical-based activities, and they were delighted to find out about our Care to Dance sessions in collaboration with The Debenham Project.
“Jennifer absolutely comes alive during these dance sessions – dancing and singing and smiling throughout. She interacts with the others there and has made genuine friendships which continue outside of the sessions. It sparks her language and mobility for far longer than just the hour – it brings her such joy and life! A by-product is that I have made friendships too from other experienced carers who have become a great source of support and advice.”
Jennifer’s carer
What’s next?
As Jennifer’s story highlights, this provision is vital for those living with dementia and the people in their lives. Whilst we’re proud of the impact of Care to Dance, the need for these programmes grows across Suffolk. With continued funding from local district councils, additional sessions can reach more people, more often. We’re helping to fill gaps left by cuts to programmes, offering taster days in new locations to connect with a broader range of participants, and strengthening our provision through development training for artists. Care to Dance’s successful blueprint will continue to support our communities, and we are delighted to offer this for yet another year.
With thanks
This work has been made possible through funding from Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils, Alan Boswell Charitable Trust and the Peter Sowerby Foundation. We are also incredibly grateful to our workshop leaders, dance artists, volunteers and our partnership organisations who run these sessions within our communities, as well as the wonderful participants who join us in caring to dance. We thank Jennifer and her carer for their openness in sharing their story.
If you would like to help us Make A Difference by directing your support to Care to Dance or our other Creative Health programmes, please reach out to development@danceeast.co.uk. If you would like to give towards the overall work of DanceEast, Donate Today.
