Dancing for Health CIC is a local Sheffield non-profit organisation that focuses on the physical and mental benefits of dance exercise routines that have been tailored to all abilities. We are overjoyed to have been awarded a grant thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. This funding will make a huge difference to those affected by a stroke through the creation of the Stepping Forward project in January 2025.
The Stepping Forward project is about connecting communities and offering a safe place for people affected by stroke to improve their fitness and wellbeing. The project will hold weekly sessions based at Sheffield’s Salvation Army (Psalter Lane). Thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, this innovative new project is free to attend.
The Stepping Forward team will provide, dance based physical activity, nutrition advice and emotional support through peer mentoring. Tracey Barnes has twenty five years of experience as a dancer and fitness coach, she runs the award-winning Dancing for Health programmes. Dancing for Health has created seated dance routines which are adaptive and gentle, yet effective physical rehabilitation for post-stroke. Tracey say’s, ‘Dance incorporates movement to music which creates a full brain work out and increases a person’s wellbeing and reduces low mood whilst increasing a person’s cognitive ability. We want to consider the multiple uses for dance that are person-centred and linked to the individual’s physical and cognitive ability. Plus, our participants find great joy in singing along to music with attendees that they socialise with weekly.’
Tracey has partnered with Yolande Bosman from Public Health Collaboration and local Sheffield celebrity and peer mentor, Kate Allatt. Kate has lived-experience of stroke survival and has been awarded prestigious accolades such as the Extraordinary Woman Award for her outreach and inspirational peer mentorship. Kate thrives now after recovering from the effects of a stroke and the resulting locked-in syndrome at age 39, persevering even after doctors had given up hope.
Debbie is a regular participant in Dancing for Health’s seated dance programme. After experiencing three strokes, Debbie’s lefthand side was particularly weakened and her self-confidence took a real hit. She now says that the ‘sheer fact… [that she can lift her left arm] unaided is amazing’ and loves that she has improved short-term memory through joining in with dance routines each week. She has even returned to being able to play the piano, giving her great enjoyment and sense of achievement.
According to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, around 1,000 patients suffer a stroke in Sheffield every year and there are currently around 13,000 stroke survivors in Sheffield. This exciting, new and innovative support group for stroke survivors and their carers aims to work on preventative healthcare, holistically supporting recovery physically, emotionally and mentally post-stroke.
Thanks to the People’s Postcode Lottery, these free weekly sessions starts in January 2025 . Please pass this information on to anyone affected by a stroke. For more information please contact Tracey Barnes on 07721046757 or via email on tracey@dancingforhealth.org.uk