Barnsley-based Qdos Creates – one of Yorkshire’s leading providers of dance theatre – delivered a series of dance-based activity sessions to highlight the benefits that people with dementia can experience by taking part in this type of activity.
The ‘alive and kicking’ sessions were delivered on inpatient wards and throughout community services in Barnsley. They included activities such as physical and voice ice-breaker exercises and warm-ups, creative movement and dance activities, drama, singing, storytelling and poetry writing.
Staff and service users worked together during the sessions to develop skills and ideas, which they will be able to utilise in future dance activity sessions run within services.
This project introduced people to the benefits that those with dementia and their families can experience by taking part in a creative activity such as increasing mobility and balance, improved self-esteem and confidence in engaging with others.
Katrina Whale, general manager at Qdos Creates explained, “We strive to create innovative work that is challenging, informative, inspirational and unlocks creative potential, empowering people to make informed decisions about their lives. Our projects aim to unlock creative potential and demonstrate that participation in the arts can lead to improved physical and mental health and wellbeing.”